Community Projects - Empowering Local Communities

Spekboom Project Eco-Brick Project Veld management & Erosion Control Seed Ball Project

Habitat Conservation

Our habitat conservation seeks to conserve, protect and restore firstly the unique quartz-soil habitat on the Buffelsdrift Reserve and to prevent plants unique to this area from extinction, fragmentation or reduction in range.

We have a specific focus on the Spekboom habitat, due to its abnormal quality of removing approximately 10 times more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than for instance plants in the amazon forest.

Spekboom Project

Hectare for hectare, Spekboom thicket is ten times more effective than the Amazon rainforest at removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. One hectare of Spekboom can remove between four and ten tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

Research indicates that pristine thicket areas within South Africa hold more carbon compared to transformed or over-grazed land. Further to this, there are specific plant species that have particularly effective levels of absorption under semi-arid conditions (or sequestration as it is known scientifically). One of the most effective plants is the Spekboom, (scientific name Portulacaria Afra).

Buffelsdrift Reserve is rich in spekboom habitat and has launched a project to facilitate the regeneration of previously farmed land and erosion areas on the reserve through the planting of Spekboom. In order to maintain heterogeneity of the area, additional plant species are planted. The continuos planting of spekboom trees have been implemented over the years to fight erosion, however, with the help of volunteers, this project will expand exponentially.

Carbon Neutral footprint:

The foundation is currently doing research to provide visitors to Buffelsdrift reserve the opportunity to achieve carbon neutrality or a net zero carbon footprint, i.e. to achieve net zero-carbon-emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount offset or sequestered.

This will be done through determining a visitor’s estimated carbon footprint and to enable the person to plant Spekboom to achieve carbon neutral status. A certificate will be issued to prove the planting and location of the Spekboom as well as the projected tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent that will be removed by the planting of the Spekboom trees.

Goal:

To enable visitors to achieve a net zero carbon-emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount offset.

Challenges:

The challenge is to locate suitable and available land for spekboom plantations. Planting spekboom can be expensive and the plant grows slowly. It also means that we must take a leap of faith, converting income producing land into something that creates long-term value.

Strategy:

To locate and reserve land for spekboom plantation in the local area.
To promote the positive effects of spekboom on your land and the value it holds.
By offering the opportunity to every visitor to plant a spekboom before leaving Buffelsdrift Reserve.

Opportunity:

To fix the ecosystem instead of being just a victim of global warming, we can be part of a solution and setting an example the rest of the world can follow. For us, this is the opportunity to change mindsets, and that anyone can be part of the solution by just one small action.

Eco-Brick Project

Aim:

The aim, in reaching is for the community to actively become involved in this project so that together we can achieve our goals by decreasing plastic pollution and using the plastic to make theEcoBricks.

An EcoBrick is a PET bottle which is clear, strong, lightweight and is 100% recyclable plastic. This bottle is filled with clean, dry plastic which would have landed up in landfill sites. The plastic is packed densely to form firm “building blocks” which have many uses.

EcoBricks can be used to build the following structures:

Chairs/Tables for schools
Community projects like vegetable garden planters, housing structures etc.

With this project we will contribute towards the following:

Local Schools & Conservation Projects
Decrease the chances of plastic being broken down to micro plastic equals a cleaner environment

Here at Buffelsdrift we care about the wellbeing of our surrounding Community, Wildlife, Habitat and conservation in general. Hence this initiative to inspire others, to also make small changes, so that together we can make a big difference.

We are very excited about this project and looking forward to be working with our surrounding community.

Veld Management and Erosion control

Ukarabati Project:

We’re embarking on an exciting six-year journey to restore a special piece of land through our Ukarabati Project, named after the Xhosa word for "healing." This grand rehabilitation initiative will transform the area into a vibrant landscape filled with indigenous Klein Karoo plant species. Imagine rolling hills covered in a rich tapestry of native flora, creating ahaven for wildlife and offering a unique experience for those who wander through.

At the heart of this restoration effort is the eco-friendly superhero, Spekboom, known for its incredible ability to absorb carbon and restore balance to ecosystems. This hardy plant will be a key player in our mission to rejuvenate the land, offering benefits for the environment and future generations alike.

Veld is an essential natural resource, covering about 80% of our country. It supports livestock, game ranching, and biodiversity conservation. At Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, we manage our reserve to ensure that it contributes to the delicate balance of nature, acting with respect for all forms of life. Through responsible veld management, we aim to prevent land degradation, support sustainable food production, and protect biodiversity.

Our team is dedicated to educating visitors about these ecosystems, fostering a positive influence on nature and setting an example of ethical and sustainable conservation practices. Our rangers, through ethical guiding, help guests understand the importance of preserving these natural systems during bush safaris. This restoration project isn’t just about land – it’s an educational opportunity forboth locals and guests. The area will serve as a living classroom where visitors can explore the wonders of our indigenous plants, from towering trees to resilient shrubs, each with its own story of survival. Along the way, you’ll encounter an array of creatures, from birds to reptiles, all thriving in this restored ecosystem.

By restoring and nurturing this land, we’re creating a lasting legacy. When we give back to nature, she rewards us in countless ways, creating a ripple effect of positive change for the environment, wildlife, and our future. The Ukarabati Project is our commitment to making a meaningful difference for the land, the creatures that inhabit it, and the generations to come.

Erosion Control Project:

Erosion is the wearing away of the land by forces such as water and wind. There are many different forces in nature that cause erosion. Depending on the type of force, erosion can happen quickly or take thousands of years. The main forces that cause erosion at Buffelsdrift reserve are water and wind.

Erosion by Wind – Wind is a major type of erosion, especially in dry areas. Wind can erode by picking up and carrying loose particles and dust away (called deflation). It can also erode when these flying particles strike the land and break off more particles (called abrasion).

Erosion control is the practice of preventing or controlling wind or water erosion of veld. The loss of soil due to erosion will also lead to impacts on watercourses and river systems.

Erosion control is an act that normally doesn’t get a lot of attention. At Buffelsdrift Game Lodge we focus on controlling erosion to protect our sensitive areas. We use three main principles to control erosion on the reserve. We aim to use land according to its capability, protect sensitive soil by covering it and control surface water before it develops into erosion.

Seed Ball Project

We realized the importance to protect and conserve our habitat in the Little Karoo and therefore took another step in the right direction by introducing our “seed ball project” to visitors joining our Bush Safaris at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge. Our Foundation believes that everyone can be conservations and decided that an opportunity for guests to “plant” trees while on a safari would be to create benefit towards the environment, giving back to nature while enjoying nature.

How does it work?

The Vachellia Karroo (Doringboom) is a medium-size tree, known in the Little Karoo and in the Southern part of Africa. Seed pods are cut from the tree and then harvested.

A fine combination of soil and dirt is sifted to create the perfect texture. The seeds are then mixed with the soil and compost. For the next step, we created our own device to mix the soil and seeds with water to create the seed ball. The mixture is placed into the device (tube) and when turned on a fine spray of water is added.

As the rolling and turning process continues the seed causes the dirt mixture to attach around them turning into small mud balls. More soil is added to help them get dry and solid. When on Game Drives, guests now have the opportunity to play a conservation role by throwing these seed balls into the veld. Then nature goes its way and the seeds have everything they need to grow into full-size trees.

Cheetah Conservation Lion Conservation Elephant Conservation Research African Wildcat Conservation

Wildlife Conservation

Conservation is an ethic of resource use, allocation, and protection. Its primary focus is upon maintaining the health of the natural world, habitats and biological diversity. South Africa is home to some incredible wildlife species, and it is our opportunity to protect them by living a conservation life.

At Buffelsdrift Game Lodge this means, that we act with a conservation mindset. Our guides are trained to think conservation and to educate all visitors to think conservation as well.

Cheetah Conservation

We actively contribute to grow and strengthen the genetic pool of the cheetah population in Southern Africa. We are privileged to be associated with the world-renowned EWT (Endangered Wildlife Trust) and through EWT we are the proud custodians of our own cheetahs. The purpose of having these cheetahs is to let them roam freely and breed. The offspring will then be relocated to other reserves to ensure a clean and strong bloodline which prevents inbreeding and the extinction of the cheetah. The cheetahs are collared with VHF (Very High Frequency) devices, to enable the tracking of the cheetah for research purposes.

Guarding the Cheetah Would Be Nothing Without ‘U’

Of course, this incredibly important conservation project has a cornerstone we couldn’t do without- you! All the funds raised for the Buffelsdrift Foundation go into the Cheetah project and other worthy conservation causes, and we couldn’t do it without your time, effort, and donations! We sincerely appreciate all the help we receive, so if you’d like to be part of a brighter, stronger future for wild cheetahs in Southern Africa, do consider donating to our Cheetah Project fundraiser.

The Trouble with Cheetahs

As Africa’s fastest land mammal, the cheetah is a force to be reckoned with. Naturally pretty solitary, they also like to stretch their legs across massive territories, meaning they’re often brought into conflict with humans as we fence, tame, and farm the land they would naturally view as their territory. This need for open skies and large territories makes them very hard to conserve, as well.

Even the largest reserves can only boast relatively few free-roaming cheetahs (between two and thirty) in a healthy, natural population, and smaller reserves often can’t sustain a meaningful breeding population at all.

Fully wild cheetahs are difficult to relocate, too, and the stress of wild capture leads to too many lost animals. Until now, that is! In partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust, Buffelsdrift has teamed up with other private and smaller reserves in the area to be part of their critical cheetah conservation efforts.

The Cheetah Project

We’re proud to offer Buffelsdrift as a key part of a network to grow and strengthen the breeding stock and genetic pool of cheetahs in Southern Africa. Cubs produced by the adult Cheetahs on the reserve, can grow up and thrive in free ranging conditions. In time, as they surpass independence age, they will be relocated

to other reserves to prevent inbreeding and ensure the genetic integrity of wild Cheetahs in southern Africa in the long term. Most cheetahs that form part of the metapopulation are collared with VHF or Satellite GPS devices, ensuring they can be tracked for research and to prevent human-wildlife conflict in the event of escape. The metapopulation ranges over protected areas located in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique.

Goal:

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge want to ensure the existence and increase of free-roaming cheetah population in their natural habitat and to contribute to the genetic variation of free-roaming cheetahs.

Challenge:

Despite all the projects conserving the cheetah bloodline, there are still many other challenges to overcome. The biggest challenge is habitat destruction due to farming and development. Cheetahs, like all other large predators, are heavily persecuted by livestock farmers. To conserve habitat for species such as the cheetah are a massive challenge to overcome.

Meta population reserves are small and can only accommodate between two to thirty cheetahs.

They, therefore, must be managed to ensure genetic integrity, to prevent inbreeding. We prevent inbreeding by means of exchanging cheetahs to other Meta population reserves. Wild cheetahs are particularly susceptible to translocation complications, especially when subject to stressful capture. Currently, for every ten transfers, you unfortunately, lose one cheetah.

Strategy:

Our main focus currently is

The proper use of telemetry tracking equipment
The use of hand-held GPS devices
How to identify wild life species
How to set up and use camera “traps” to monitor certain species

How to track animals using traditional methods like the identification and following of animal spoor
How to collect and analyse data
An understanding of conservation and issues of human animal conflict

Opportunity:

This project offers the opportunity to be part of the research of free roaming cheetahs. It is necessary to understand demographic responses (e.g. the cheetah’s dietary response to new habitats and prey response to the introduction of the cheetah) of predator and prey in closed systems. Monitoring this species in closed systems allows for a better understanding of how cheetahs behave in fenced reserves. This contributes to improved cheetah management and to establish the minimum requirements for sustaining cheetahs on smaller fenced reserves.

Elephant Conservation

We have three elephants formerly from the Kruger National Park. Their parents were poached because of constant conflict with the nearby commercial farmers. There is a similar problem in the North East of Namibia where a group of 125 free-roaming African elephants are in conflict with commercial farming. A portion of the funds accumulated by the Buffelsdrift Foundation are used for the research and conflict mitigation in the North East of Namibia.

Goal for Buffelsdrift:

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge aims to educate visitors about this magnificent unique specie, enabling people to come close to this gentle giant and during the visit learn to understand the circumstances endangering the specie, as well as the reality of challenges surrounding the size and devastation caused by the elephant.

Challenge for Buffelsdrift:

The elephants need to be managed twenty-four hours a day by trained rangers. The elephants eat a lot of food that must be bought monthly. The elephants also easily cause harm to the sensitive habitat it roams during their daily walks.

Opportunity for Buffelsdrift:

To give the elephants a second chance of life, because their parents were killed by poachers.
To give people the opportunity to be educated about the elephants and experience these incredible gentle giants.

Strategy for Buffelsdrift

To educate people about elephants and make them aware about the damaged caused by elephants in the natural habitat and the dangers of poaching.

Monitoring our Elephant Welfare

At Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, the well-being of our animals is a top priority. Monitoring stress-related hormones in both captive and free-roaming animals is an important part of ensuring their welfare. When animals face stress, their adrenal glands release hormones to help them cope, but sustained high levels can affect their behaviour. Tracking these hormones allows us to keep a close eye on their overall health without disturbing them. For our elephants, we use a non-invasive method by collecting dung samples to measure stress hormone levels. Recently, we collected 30 samples from our three elephants, which were analysed at the University of Pretoria. The results showed that stress hormone levels ranged from 0.24 to 0.47, with an average of 0.33. These levels are considered low, especially when compared to similar studies conducted in South Africa. These findings are a positive indicator that our elephants are experiencing low stress, but ongoing monitoring remains crucial. We are dedicated to continuing this research to ensure we provide the best possible care for our elephants at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge.

Lion Conservation

After two years of intensive research and preparation, we received three young lions in January 2017. The decision to move the three lions was based on the fact that the area on the Game Farm where they were born was very small and the area at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge was large and would be more suited. These cubs were born in captivity and can therefore never be released into the wild. The cubs, two females and one male were relocated with the help of a local vet and the legal authorities, Cape Nature. The cubs were welcomed on Wednesday 4 January 2017 at their massive special erected camp at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge.

Goal:

To give carnivores that have previously been abused, injured, abandoned and had no certainty about their future a permanent home and to make their health our priority.

Challenges:

Habitat destruction and human-lion conflict have led to a catastrophic drop in wild lion numbers in Africa, declining from around 50,000 in the 1950s to around 20,000 today. In recent years the number of lions in South Africa has been increasing but not for reasons that promote the conservation of lions. Currently, lions are bred or in captivity for petting, human interaction or canned hunting. The challenge is to promote sanctuaries that are truly contributing to conservation and where there is no petting, human interaction or breeding in captivity and where the welfare of the animals is a priority.

Strategy:

We advocate against canned hunting, human interaction or petting of lions.
The welfare of the animals is our highest priority
To have a strong educational focus

Opportunity:

Nearly 200 captive lion facilities exist in South Africa, many of which allow the petting of lion cubs and walking with young lions by tourist. We use this project to educate tourists and the local community and spread awareness of lion conservation and to support ethical tourist trade in South Africa. As we have a strong educational focus, we visit local schools and teach children about conservation.

Goal:

To give carnivores that have previously been abused, injured, abandoned or had no certainty about their future a permanent home and to make their health our priority.

Research

The meerkat or Suricata is a small carnivoran belonging to the mongoose family. Our reserve is home to three wild meerkat families. It is one of the most unique species that occurs in the Klein Karoo. Unfortunately, because of land developing, farming and the lack of knowledge these species have diminished over time. At Buffelsdrift Game Lodge we are dedicated and passionate to learn how these little ones live and operate in their natural habitat. Monitoring these clans provide us with crucial information that help us understand them better and hopefully can help them to survive in the long run. At the end of the day we can make life-changing decisions on scientific evidence collected by monitoring these clans. This kind of research helps us to mitigate the conflict between the meerkat families and farmers and people keeping meerkats as pets.

The aardwolf is an insectivorous species of hyena, native to East and Southern Africa.
Its name means "earth-wolf" in Afrikaans and Dutch.

Aardwolves are one of four hyena species in the subfamily Hyaenidae, along with spotted hyenas, striped hyenas, and brown hyenas. Like all hyenas, aardwolves' front legs are longer than their back legs, allowing for a loping, low-energy gait that they can sustain for long distances. Unfortunately, because of land developing, farming and the lack of knowledge these species have diminished over time.

Through the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, we participate in research focused on preserving giraffe populations and maintaining healthy bloodlines. Blood testing and other conservation initiatives are key to protecting this iconic species and ensuring their survival for future generations.

At Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, we are committed to studying these animals in their habitat. By monitoring them through various research methods, such as camera traps and non-invasive sampling, we gather essential data that deepens our understanding and helps ensure their long-term survival.

Goal:

To understand the way of the meerkat clans in the Little Karoo and to ensure their existence in our area.

To understand the social structure, territorial boundaries and human impacts on the Aardwolf in the Little Karoo and to ensure their existence in our area.

Challenges:

Farmers are converting hectare by hectare into commercial farmland at a very fast rate. They do so to increase production and for their financial benefit, this is good for our economic state, but this habitat destruction comes at a cost. The result is that the natural habitats for the little karoo meerkats are disappearing at a fast rate. Meerkats are very sensitive to their habitat and have a very complex way of living. The smallest disturbance can trigger the family to move to a different area. Destruction of the habitat also removes their food source, insects. Farmers use pesticides to protect their crops from insects eating them.

By removing insects from the system, you are removing the food source of the meerkat. With continued destruction of natural habitat, the little karoo meerkats will eventually be extinct. The challenge is to educate people and to learn from the meerkats, to promote their role in the ecosystem and how they can help farmers with insect problems.

Just like with our Meerkat research, farmers are converting hectare by hectare into commercial farmland at a very fast rate. They do so to increase production and for their financial benefit, this is good for our economic state, but this habitat destruction comes at a cost. The result is that the natural habitats for Aardwolf in the Little Karoo are disappearing at a fast rate. Destruction of the habitat removes their food source, insects.

Farmers use pesticides to protect their crops from insects eating them. By removing insects from the system, you are removing the food source of the Aardwolf. Although Aardwolves are not on the endangered species list, the challenge is to educate people and to learn from the Aardwolves, to promote their role in the ecosystem and how they can help farmers with insect problems.

Strategy:

To do research on meerkats on our reserve
To locate meerkat families in local areas and to give locations to farmers
Working hand in hand with neighbouring farmers to protect the meerkat habitat
To do research on Aardwolves on our reserve
To locate and indicate the territorial layout of the Aardwolves
Learning more of their social structure for educational purposes by using camera traps in the veld

Opportunity:

We can now, for the first time, learn how the Meerkats and Aardwolves live and operate in the Little Karoo. With research and scientific evidence, we can make life-changing decisions and even change laws in the long run to protect the habitat for the meerkats. This project offers the opportunity to get the local farming community involved and to be part of something that has long-term value. We could prevent that the meerkat specie becomes endangered in the Little Karoo and to ensure their continued existence before it is too late.

African Wildcat Conservation

At Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, we are positioned within an area that is home to the remarkable African Wildcat. In line with our commitment to wildlife conservation and responsible management, we have integrated domesticated cats into our ecosystem to aid in pest control. Recognizing the potential risks of genetic contamination and inbreeding between domestic cats and the native African Wildcat population, we have taken proactive measures by collaborating with a local organization to spay all our domestic cats.

Strategy

This strategy not only safeguards the genetic purity of the African Wildcats but also ensures a harmonious coexistence between the two species. By preserving the African Wildcat’s natural habitat and responsibly managing our domestic cat population, we are contributing to the conservation of our local biodiversity while providing a unique and ecologically sustainable experience.

Vrederust school Project Scholar Project Community Education

Community Upliftment

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is deeply committed to community upliftment by supporting a local underprivileged primary farm school, where many of the children come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Vrederust school Project

Through the Vrederust School Project, the Buffelsdrift Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the local community. As a truly South African Foundation, we align with the preamble of the South African Constitution,striving to “…improve the quality of life of all citizens and free thepotential of each person.” For many years, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge has been involved in supporting the education of underprivileged children, building on this legacy to change lives and empower future generations.

The Foundation is actively involved in Vrederust, a local pre-primary school nestled in the valley of Schoemanshoek, surrounded by the picturesque Swartberg Mountain range. The school serves children from ages 0 to 6, and the Foundation assists with daily essentials such as food, stationery, toiletries, and the general upkeep of the school. With three dedicated teachers and around 55 children attending the school, each learner follows a tailored educational programme that prepares them for primary school. Beyond academics, the school instils a sense of routine and stability, which helps shape their future.

Scholar Project

In addition to the Vrederust Project, the Buffelsdrift Foundation has taken a significant step by investing in the future of a talented local student. We are supporting this bright young mind through their journey from primary school to university. Our commitment ensures that this student not only receives an education but also has the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and return one day to uplift their own community.

This initiative, along with our ongoing projects, would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. With your continued backing, we are able to provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for children at Vrederust and beyond, shaping brighter futures for all..

Community Education

Buffelsdrift Foundation believes that conservation starts with awareness and education. We actively engage with the local community, from children to adults, to share knowledge about the importance of preserving our environment. We teach practical skills such as replanting Spekboom, a vital plant for carbon reduction, and how to care for it to ensure its long-term survival.

Our educational initiatives also emphasise sustainable practices like water conservation and reducing waste. By empowering individuals with these tools and knowledge, we aim to inspire lasting change within the community. Together, we strive to build a culture of conservation that benefits both people and the planet.

Our Key Focus Areas

Conserve the Environment - Sustain Life

Habitat Conservation

Spekboom Project

Carbon Neutral footprint:

Eco-Brick Project

Veld Management and Erosion control

Seed Ball Project

Wildlife Conservation

Cheetah Conservation

Elephant Conservation

Monitoring our Elephant Welfare

Lion Conservation

Research

African Wildcat Conservation

Community Upliftment

Resources in Action

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