Our Partners & Collaborators
Loskop Dam Nature Reserve and Expansion Programme Update: May 2024
Roadworks and Aerial Surveys Update
We’re thrilled to share the latest developments from our Loskop Dam Nature Reserve and Expansion Programme. Our commitment to restoring and preserving the natural habitat for wildlife continues with significant progress in infrastructure and ecological assessments.
To view more about our Loskop Project, visit our landscape rewilding page. https://wewildafrica.com/landscape-rewilding/
The Loskop Dam Nature Reserve and Expansion Programme, a first-of-its-kind initiative, is a collaborative effort between WeWild Africa, the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), and the Aspinall Foundation. This ambitious project aims to expand the protected area of the reserve to cover approximately 100,000 hectares. The goal is to reintroduce the Big 5, transforming the reserve into a significant ecological haven and make it Southern Africa’s new ecotourism gem.
Meetings with Community Chiefs
We recently had the privilege of showing Prince Mathebe a part of his community land within the Loskop Dam expansion project with his first helicopter flight. Our commitment to working closely with all community leaders and chiefs is unwavering. We are excited to announce several unique initiatives with the community, including sustainable harvesting of indigenous plants for traditional practices and market-ready consumer goods, local school programs, employment opportunities, and capacity building with our current anti-poaching training and future ranger and guide training. These efforts aim to foster a collaborative environment and ensure the success of our mutual conservation mission in rewilding this incredible landscape. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to build these meaningful relationships.
Roadworks Progress
The first phase of our rewilding and expansion initiative of the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve has begun with crucial road upgrades. A dedicated technical task team is hard at work, improving the existing road network within the reserve. These enhancements are vital for supporting ongoing conservation activities and ensuring safer, more efficient access for our teams and future visitors. Recent photos and videos show our bulldozers and machinery laying the groundwork for our initial infrastructure phase. We are happy to announce that the reserve’s tourism roads are in a much better state.
Aerial Survey Insights
Alongside our latest roadworks upgrades, we’ve conducted an aerial survey of the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve and expansion programme. This survey was instrumental in providing a baseline understanding of the landscape’s health and the wildlife populations inhabiting it, setting the stage for annual reviews to track our progress.
The aerial images captured offer invaluable insights that guide our conservationists and developers in making informed decisions about managing the habitat. These decisions include determining the most beneficial areas for sustainable commercial activities, strategic placement of fences for anti-poaching efforts, road construction, and much more. Through these aerial surveys, we aim to ensure a balanced ecosystem that supports both wildlife and local community interests.
This aerial survey is not only crucial for our biodiversity plan but simply also showcases the stunning beauty of the property. Towering cliffs, ravines, waterfalls, lakes, and vast grassy hilltop savannahs. We are thrilled for visitors to start exploring this hidden gem.
Want to Learn More?
For recent news on the project check out the following links:
Huge “first-of-its-kind” rewilding project to bring back lost species and create ecotourism paradise in South Africa: The project will see Loskop Dam Nature Reserve become one of the largest protected wildlife reserves in South Africa. Planned reintroductions include the critically endangered black rhino and several species of cat. Read more.
Revolutionary Rewilding: South Africa’s Loskop Dam Nature Reserve to Become Ecotourism Haven. Read more.
China TV: South Africa plans to expand game reserve. Watch here.
Huge rewilding paradise planned for South Africa. Read more.
Rescuing and Rewilding Africa’s Wildlife and Landscapes. Read more.
To view more of our past projects at Loskop, visit: