Only a few years ago the 21 500 hectares which made up the Ka'Ingo Reserve were divided for the purpose of establishing nine separate farms where tobacco and peanuts were to be grown. It is hard to believe if you look at the prestigious African Game Lodge of Ka'Ingo Private Reserve and Spa today.
Located on 8 700 hectares of the former reserve, guests of the African Game Lodge can now indulge in the splendours of nature as the reserve has been rehabilitated. Where no rhinos or cheetahs were to be found a few years ago, more than 4 000 animals roam the reserve surrounding the African Game Lodge today.
Luxury accommodation at the African Game Lodge
Few private Big Five reserves in the Limpopo Province are open to the public, and Ka'Ingo is one of them. Another reason for its popularity is the superb accommodation offered.
Luxurious well appointed suites with stunning views of the Bushveld landscape and the river area make for comfortable safari vacations. The plated dinners, traditional boma braai and fine wines flown in from the Zorgvliet Wine Estate in the Cape Province, compliment the luxury offered by the suites.
Add to this, facilities such as a swimming pool, luxury spa and entertainment area as well as conference facilities, and you have the perfect location for a wonderful holiday, teambuilding event, wedding or just a break away.
Wide diversity of fauna and flora
The Ka'Ingo Private Reserve and Spa of today boasts 35 animal and 350 bird species. The pristine conservation area is home to the Big Five and various other animal species. Nick Callichy supervised the transfer of four cheetahs to the reserve recently. This is one of the reasons why eco-tourists speak with such awe of the reserve. Its conservation efforts through the years have made it a landmark of natural beauty and a haven for endangered species.
Cheetah conservation
Ka'Ingo obtained four cheetahs through a programme in South Africa where farmers allow game wardens to capture the cheetahs on their farms, rather than shooting the animals. Three brothers have been transferred to Ka'Ingo and a female later joined. Their names are Matthew, Simchelle, Ilka, and the female is known as Lisa. They came from the Kalahari and Lowveld areas and are now settled in at Ka'Ingo.
Not only cheetahs, but also white rhinos, sables and buffalo have been introduced to the reserve and are bred to repopulate the South African reserves. With fewer than 12 000 cheetahs in the world, this type of programme is essential in preserving the extremely fast cats. Ka'Ingo also houses no fewer than 11 of the 4 000 white rhinos left in the world.
Cheetahs are the fastest, but also the smallest of the large cats. The expansion of farming activities has destroyed their natural habitat. As such reserves are essential in conserving these graceful animals. The Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species Treaty also protects cheetahs against hunting activities. Since so few are left, in-breeding has taken place and we see many identical twins in their population.
Book a weekend or week of safari at the African game lodge and get the opportunity to come close to cheetahs and many other animal species through 4x4 drives and guided bush walks.
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