One of the only completely nonprofit safari hotels in Africa, Lepogo Hotels, in South Africa's Limpopo Province, has reported the successful reintroduction of cheetah and buffalo into the nearby Lapalala Wilderness Reserve. Lepogo Lodges, which offers a distinctive safari experience, blends high-end luxury with an intimate knowledge of the African environment, where the majestic seven graze. Lepogo integrates environmentally friendly techniques into all facets of their activities out of an unrelenting commitment to community growth and the preservation of the lovely surroundings for its residents.

The successful reintroduction of a buffalo herd and several endangered cheetahs into the reserve are examples of this. With an inspiring commitment to the protection of these native animals, Lepogo is honoured to play a vital role in their preservation for future generations. Following another successful reintroduction campaign, the Lapalala Wilderness is already on its third generation of lions, and wild dog pups, another critically endangered species, have also been born in the reserve.

The reserve's 50,000 hectares of wilderness can only accommodate three commercial lodges. This gives wildlife plenty of undeveloped areas to wander and gives visitors secluded and tranquil viewing opportunities. Lepogo's dedication to maintaining the pristine landscapes and safeguarding the diverse species demonstrates how luxury and sustainability can coexist, providing visitors with the pinnacle of responsible travel.

Lepogo is one of the first luxury camps in Africa to fully offset every guest's carbon footprint from the time they leave their home until the time they return in support of local community and conservation projects. It is a family-run company that was developed to create an exceptional conservation legacy. Lepogo Lodges now only has one lodge, Noka Camp, which has five stilted cottages built on a 100-foot cliff with breathtaking views of the Palala River below and sleeps up to 12 guests. Lepogo's second property, Melote House, which can accommodate up to 16 people and is intended for exclusive use, will debut in December 2023.

Cheetah Reintroduction

Lepogo Lodges' core mission is to protect cheetahs, and the word "Lepogo" is taken from the Sotho word for cheetah. Cheetahs, the fastest land mammal, are revered as a symbol of Africa's biological heritage. However, they face many difficulties in the wild and are now very endangered, partly owing to human activities endangering their habitats.

Lepogo Lodges has sponsored several cheetah reintroductions since it opened in 2019, and this past year, it was thrilled to see two cheetah kittens born in the reserve grow entirely independent, demonstrating the effectiveness of the reintroduction programme. Guests of Lepogo are fortunate enough to not only witness cheetah in their natural habitat while on game drives and walking safaris but also to learn about the sponsorship of ongoing conservation projects firsthand from the lodge’s expert guides.

Kate Hughes, Operations Director of Lepogo Lodges, comments, “We have always loved and been fascinated by the cheetah, with its natural grace, elegance, and incredible speed. The fact that these beautiful animals are now so endangered struck a chord with us, and before we even opened, we pledged to do whatever we could to help in their conservation and protection, which forms the ethos of our lodge. Through this work, we have been really fortunate to get to understand these creatures in the wild as we witness them settle into their new habitat, and we are so proud to have had cheetah cubs, which were born in the reserve, go fully independent this past year. We are honoured to continue to be able to support this incredible animal through our work with the Lapalala Wilderness, and hope to be able to make a real difference in the growth of the population.”

Buffalo Reintroduction

Lepogo Lodges funded the reintroduction of a herd of 50 buffalo and four bulls into the reserve this spring as well, which was an important step in the preservation of the area's native species. By adding more nutrients to the soil and ensuring the lifespan of the reserve, where grazing supplies vary greatly over the broad expanse, buffaloes play a crucial role in rejuvenating the land.

The continually moving buffalo's grazing behaviours guarantee that nutrients are dispersed fairly, and because they graze in large groups, they make space for other species to use the grasslands.

Discover More: Lapalala Wilderness