The Vision The vision behind Kuzuko Lodge in the Eastern Cape was to create a ‘Big Five’ safari game park combining conservation, job creation and social transformation in a malaria-free area in South Africa. The area of the small Karoo was chosen for it’s unique vegetation and beauty as well as being an area of over 70% unemployment and endemic poverty.

The task was three fold: build a unique lodge, create jobs and allow the chosen area to revert to its original habitat. Thus was Kuzuko, meaning ‘place of glory’ in Xhosa, born. Kuzuko Lodge is the first private game reserve to be incorporated into the Greater Addo Elephant Park, the third largest national park in South Africa, giving it traversing rights over 1 million acres.

Land purchase and recovery Twenty-two farms comprising an area of approximately 40000 acres were bought over a 3.5 year period around 2000 and over 70km of fencing erected by a team of 70 men over a period of 10 months. Wildlife was then re-introduced in partnership with the South Africa National Parks. Elephants, black rhinos and buffaloes were re-introduced into the small Karoo at Kuzuko after an absence of 150 years in that region. Construction phase Building a luxury lodge in the wilderness was never going to be an easy task. Building it on a hill with stunning views made it even harder.

First ground broken at lodge site Completed chalets

Water, electricity and telecommunications had to be trunked in from over 12km.

Digging of trench for cabling

The building of the lodge, chalets and staff housing by over 100 workers took 20-months and required a substantial investment. All the work was done by local contractors or from nearby towns using local material where possible. The establishment of the reserve has now created 80 permanent jobs – 30 in the reserve and 50 at the lodge. Kuzuko has been one of the largest investments of its kind in the district. As one of the largest contributor to the local economy on a monthly basis, we expect to further stimulate economic activity. Social transformation Kuzuko believes in treating all its employees with dignity and respect. We are committed to creating an environment where our employees can flourish and develop to their fullest potential. We have set new standards in staff housing, wages, working conditions, insurance and share ownership through a Workers Trust. We are committed to the training, up skilling and personal development of our staff. Added to this, Kuzuko has partnered with Umzi Wethu, a pioneering programme set up by the Wilderness foundation, whereby young adults from broken backgrounds are selected for an eighteen-month course for ecotourism jobs.

Staff housing being built Completed houses

“Umzi Wethu is a holistic approach to conservation and job creation, enabling social, economic and spiritual transformation for young South Africans who are currently experiencing endemic poverty, orphan hood and high vulnerability often as a consequence of the HIV AIDS pandemic affecting Southern Africa. It has been pioneered in Port Elizabeth Eastern Cape.”

Andrew Muir, Wilderness Foundation

Kuzuko has employed some of these young people and it has been a pleasure to watch them grow is confidence and experience as they develop their careers in the hospitality industry.

Conservation in progress As a reserve Kuzuko is in its infancy. A five-year environmental study has provided a benchmark for a sustainable regrowth of the area to its natural habitat. Working in conjunction with South African National Parks a programme was embarked upon to re-stock the area with game that was indigenous to the area. Due to the negative impact that years of goat farming have had on the vegetation, the current stocking levels are low and on par with a sustainable utilization approach.

Alien plant removal from lodge site (Jointed cactus) Wildebeest on the plain

Game had to be introduced in phases – antelopes, elephants and buffaloes were introduced when the vegetation had begun to recover. Predators were only introduced in 2007 when there was sufficient game to sustain their numbers. Kuzuko is committed to the conservation of disease-free elephants, black rhino, mountain zebra. In 2005, after an absence of 150 years, elephants and black rhinos were released on to Kuzuko.

Herd of elephants from Kruger Park being released at Kuzuko

Black rhino capture for release at Kuzuko Release of rhino

Kuzuko also has a historic value in the form of Koisan cave paintings. These bushman paintings have been dated at around 400 years. The area of the paintings falls outside the main reserve but is part of the 1500 acre Educational Trail, an area stocked with non-dangerous game where guests can take guided walks. School children from the neighbouring towns will also be invited to experience part of this educational trail. Many have never seen game in the wild. For conservation to be successful, Kuzuko believes that the local children need to learn to love and protect their heritage.

Kuzuko Foundation The Kuzuko Foundation was formed as a charity to continue with the work of conservation, education and healthcare. It will fund projects such as the leopard sanctuary, educational visits of school children, healthcare and educational activities of the local communities. An educational area of 1,500 acres has been separately fenced and stocked with non-dangerous game such as antelopes, giraffes and wildebeests. School children from the township use this area on day-visits to walk with game and learn about conservation. The foundation will provide guests who have had a wonderful experience at Kuzuko to engage and further conservation, educational and social transformation activities.

A lion seen on the trail

A place of glory Kuzuko in local Xhosa means ‘place of glory’. It was a name chosen by the local staff for this project. Kuzuko Lodge is a place where one can truly relax, away from the trappings of civilization and unwind in a unique setting with incredible views. Not only a safari with game but also a safari of the soul. To sum it up in one word, serenity.

www.kuzukolodge.co.za

kuzuko@legacyhotels.co.za

Kuzuko Lodge, Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa

T: +27 79 521 7490 | Reservations T: +27 11 806 6888, F: +27 11 806 6899