RESTORED PROTECTED PRESERVED WILD
Zuka Private Game Reserve is the cornerstone property of a pioneering land assembly founded in 2001. Today, our story brings us to celebrating 20 years of this progressive rewilding project that has thus far expanded to 10,300 hectares of environmentally restored and protected northern Zululand.
GLADSTONES
Adventure ~ Family ~ Safari
ZUKA HOUSE
Eclectic ~ Sanctuary ~ Africa
ZUKA HOUSE
Eclectic ~ Sanctuary ~ Africa
THE COTTAGE
Tranquil ~ Heart ~ Comfort
IN THE WILD
Learning from guides, big five safari, exploring the bush and the ocean along with hands on conservation practices or walking in the wilderness on foot is to be in the wild at Zuka.
AT HOME
Delicious lawn lunches, Fireside dinners, with a curated wine-list,
tennis with G&Ts, five-a-side football,
quiet yoga, massage and poolside rest is to be at home at Zuka
IMPACT
This is a story!
Starting 30 years ago, we tell it in bite sized chapters with some history and orientation. This is how our evolved, integrated conservation development impacts positively.
ZUKA LIFE
Zuka Life is our integration of Zuka Private Game Reserve, commitment to Africa Foundation, the creation of Ocean Family Foundation and the pioneering of the Getty Asterism threaded together with restoration and a love of style, peculiarity and detail.
ANCIENT LAND
We have been making the most incredible anthropological discoveries here on Zuka Private Game Reserve!
Stone tools ranging from early Stone Age to Mid-Iron Age are a profound experience to hold in your own hand as you assimilate how they were made by humans thousands and thousands of years ago.
Getty Asterism enables passionate scientists and experts to conduct research across the reserve, building the geological and anthropological history of our land here.
#gettyasterism
#Geology
#Anthropology
#AncientLand
#ancestors
#science
#discovery
#research
#stoneage
#IronAge
#Artefacts
#Humankind
#Evolution
#Preserved
#Wild
📸 @dylan_pons_photography
May 18
ANCIENT LAND
We have been making the most incredible anthropological discoveries here on Zuka Private Game Reserve!
Stone tools ranging from early Stone Age to Mid-Iron Age are a profound experience to hold in your own hand as you assimilate how they were made by humans thousands and thousands of years ago.
Getty Asterism enables passionate scientists and experts to conduct research across the reserve, building the geological and anthropological history of our land here.
#gettyasterism
#Geology
#Anthropology
#AncientLand
#ancestors
#science
#discovery
#research
#stoneage
#IronAge
#Artefacts
#Humankind
#Evolution
#Preserved
#Wild
📸 @dylan_pons_photography
MOTHERS’ DAY
“Life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a mother”
Happy Mothers’ Day from Zuka Private Game Reserve!
#MothersDaySouthAfrica
#MothersDayUSA
#Lioness
#Teaching
#LionCub
#Learning
#Outdoors
#MotherNature
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#SouthAfrica
📸 @its_jamie_lucas
May 14
MOTHERS’ DAY
“Life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a mother”
Happy Mothers’ Day from Zuka Private Game Reserve!
#MothersDaySouthAfrica
#MothersDayUSA
#Lioness
#Teaching
#LionCub
#Learning
#Outdoors
#MotherNature
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#SouthAfrica
📸 @its_jamie_lucas
ZUKA PLAINS
The rehabilitated open savannah grasslands of Zuka Private Game Reserve seen from Zuka House is the vegetation type that historically dominated the landscapes of northern Zululand.
Zuka Private Game Reserve’s habitat team guided by the monitoring, the grass assessments, controlled burning regimes and ecological strategising from Getty Asterism have restored and continue to conserve this vital vegetation type creating a balanced thriving system that we see here today.
#BigVista
#Lion
#Wildebeest
#Savannah
#Grassland
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#GettyAsterism
#ExcitedAboutEcology
#Safari
#Africa
#SouthAfrica
📸 @dylan_pons_photography
May 12
ZUKA PLAINS
The rehabilitated open savannah grasslands of Zuka Private Game Reserve seen from Zuka House is the vegetation type that historically dominated the landscapes of northern Zululand.
Zuka Private Game Reserve’s habitat team guided by the monitoring, the grass assessments, controlled burning regimes and ecological strategising from Getty Asterism have restored and continue to conserve this vital vegetation type creating a balanced thriving system that we see here today.
#BigVista
#Lion
#Wildebeest
#Savannah
#Grassland
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#GettyAsterism
#ExcitedAboutEcology
#Safari
#Africa
#SouthAfrica
📸 @dylan_pons_photography
STAY COOL
An elephant’s ears serve not just for communications but also as a highly efficient thermoregulation system!
Packed with blood vessels and with a huge surface area close to the surface, the ears cool and control the body temperature of these giants.
#nature
#calibration
#BodyTemperature
#StayCool
#savannah
#Elephant
#BigFive
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#PhotographicSafari
#NaturePhotographer
#Africa
#SouthAfrica
📸@its_jamie_lucas
May 10
STAY COOL
An elephant’s ears serve not just for communications but also as a highly efficient thermoregulation system!
Packed with blood vessels and with a huge surface area close to the surface, the ears cool and control the body temperature of these giants.
#nature
#calibration
#BodyTemperature
#StayCool
#savannah
#Elephant
#BigFive
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#PhotographicSafari
#NaturePhotographer
#Africa
#SouthAfrica
📸@its_jamie_lucas
ATTENTION!
In the bush, giraffe focusing intently on something other than us as humans, can be helpful language; they are telling us, right now there is something WAY more interesting or potentially threatening in a different direction!
Tony Robbins famously says « Where attention goes, energy flows » This, in bush terms means « put your tracking energy where the giraffes are holding their attention! »
@tonyrobbins
#Tracking
#LifeInTheBush
#ReturnToTheWild
#Language
#Attention
#Focus
#Giraffe
#Predators
#OnFoot
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Safari
#SafariGuide
📸@its_jamie_lucas
May 8
ATTENTION!
In the bush, giraffe focusing intently on something other than us as humans, can be helpful language; they are telling us, right now there is something WAY more interesting or potentially threatening in a different direction!
Tony Robbins famously says « Where attention goes, energy flows » This, in bush terms means « put your tracking energy where the giraffes are holding their attention! »
@tonyrobbins
#Tracking
#LifeInTheBush
#ReturnToTheWild
#Language
#Attention
#Focus
#Giraffe
#Predators
#OnFoot
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Safari
#SafariGuide
📸@its_jamie_lucas
LOST IN THE SAND FOREST
The “sand forest” is a distinctive subtropical habitat. It is the enchanted home to specific and often rare, plant and tree species such as Lebombo Wattle, False Tamboti, Tonga Croton, and the endemic orchid - zuluensis - so unusual it doesn’t have a common name!
Swathes and pockets of sand forest are established on the ancient dune foundation that runs north to south in our area of northern Natal.
With only 27,800 hectares left in the world, protecting 825 hectares of magical sand forest within Zuka Private Game Reserve and our Munywana Conservancy is a privilege and the best adventure!
#InToTheWild
#SandForest
#Rare
#EnchantedForest
#Landrover
#TakeMeAnywhere
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Safari
#SafariGuide
#ThisIsAfrica
@landrover
@landrover_uk
📸@dylan_pons_photography
May 5
LOST IN THE SAND FOREST
The “sand forest” is a distinctive subtropical habitat. It is the enchanted home to specific and often rare, plant and tree species such as Lebombo Wattle, False Tamboti, Tonga Croton, and the endemic orchid - zuluensis - so unusual it doesn’t have a common name!
Swathes and pockets of sand forest are established on the ancient dune foundation that runs north to south in our area of northern Natal.
With only 27,800 hectares left in the world, protecting 825 hectares of magical sand forest within Zuka Private Game Reserve and our Munywana Conservancy is a privilege and the best adventure!
#InToTheWild
#SandForest
#Rare
#EnchantedForest
#Landrover
#TakeMeAnywhere
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Safari
#SafariGuide
#ThisIsAfrica
@landrover
@landrover_uk
📸@dylan_pons_photography
INTERNATIONAL LEOPARD DAY 2023
Here on Zuka Private Game Reserve through conservation interventions we are witnessing the healthier relationship between leopard and human.
We have a dedicated team who use their deep knowledge and abilities to track these magnificent cats.
To view new generations of cubs or previously unseen leopard within the bounds of Zuka Private Game Reserve is the reward.
Zuka Private Game Reserve is deeply committed to restoring, protecting and preserving the populations of these enigmatic creatures.
#ReturnToTheWild
#InternationalLeopardDay
#Leopard
#BigFive
#Safari
#Tracking
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#ThisIsAfrica
@pantheracats
🎬 @its_jamie_lucas
🎥 @ta_devs
🎥 @dylan_pons_photography
🐆 @callanmeyyer
May 3
INTERNATIONAL LEOPARD DAY 2023
Here on Zuka Private Game Reserve through conservation interventions we are witnessing the healthier relationship between leopard and human.
We have a dedicated team who use their deep knowledge and abilities to track these magnificent cats.
To view new generations of cubs or previously unseen leopard within the bounds of Zuka Private Game Reserve is the reward.
Zuka Private Game Reserve is deeply committed to restoring, protecting and preserving the populations of these enigmatic creatures.
#ReturnToTheWild
#InternationalLeopardDay
#Leopard
#BigFive
#Safari
#Tracking
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#ThisIsAfrica
@pantheracats
🎬 @its_jamie_lucas
🎥 @ta_devs
🎥 @dylan_pons_photography
🐆 @callanmeyyer
IN THE DARK
Seeing lions relaxed during the day on Zuka Private Game Reserve belies how active they are at night!
With a reflective coating at the back of their eye, a lion’s night vision is 8 times greater than that of a human making lions effective hunters at night.
On our way back from sundowners we spotted one of our stunning males - afraid of the dark anyone?!
#NightSafari
#GameDrive
#BigFive
#Lion
#Predator
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Safari
#Africa
#SouthAfrica
📸 @its_jamie_lucas
May 1
IN THE DARK
Seeing lions relaxed during the day on Zuka Private Game Reserve belies how active they are at night!
With a reflective coating at the back of their eye, a lion’s night vision is 8 times greater than that of a human making lions effective hunters at night.
On our way back from sundowners we spotted one of our stunning males - afraid of the dark anyone?!
#NightSafari
#GameDrive
#BigFive
#Lion
#Predator
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Safari
#Africa
#SouthAfrica
📸 @its_jamie_lucas
RETURN TO THE WILD
Walking in the bush is looking, seeing, tracking, listening, observing and feeling.
“You know you are truly alive when you’re living among lions.”
Perfectly explained by Karen Blixen in Isak Dinesen’s novel, Out of Africa.
#FeelAlive
#Walking
#Tracking
#LifeInTheBush
#LivingAmongLions
#Gratitude
#TrulyAlive
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#TreadingLightly
📸 @jessica.s.d.getty
Apr 28
RETURN TO THE WILD
Walking in the bush is looking, seeing, tracking, listening, observing and feeling.
“You know you are truly alive when you’re living among lions.”
Perfectly explained by Karen Blixen in Isak Dinesen’s novel, Out of Africa.
#FeelAlive
#Walking
#Tracking
#LifeInTheBush
#LivingAmongLions
#Gratitude
#TrulyAlive
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#TreadingLightly
📸 @jessica.s.d.getty
ME?
Why do Hyenas always have an aire of “Have I just been caught doing something I shouldn’t?” They tend to look as if they are on their way to cause some trouble somewhere!
Social, living in clans and carnivorous, they are successful hunters, helping to maintain populations; and as they love scavenging too, they are crucial in the system to clean up and prevent the spread of disease.
Just a few reasons why we love hyena!
#InternationalHyenaDay2023
#SpottedHyena
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Ecosystems
#NatureConservation
@zukaprivategamereserve
@bayalaprivatesafarilodge
@sungulwane
📸 @dylan_pons_photography
Apr 27
ME?
Why do Hyenas always have an aire of “Have I just been caught doing something I shouldn’t?” They tend to look as if they are on their way to cause some trouble somewhere!
Social, living in clans and carnivorous, they are successful hunters, helping to maintain populations; and as they love scavenging too, they are crucial in the system to clean up and prevent the spread of disease.
Just a few reasons why we love hyena!
#InternationalHyenaDay2023
#SpottedHyena
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Ecosystems
#NatureConservation
@zukaprivategamereserve
@bayalaprivatesafarilodge
@sungulwane
📸 @dylan_pons_photography
PERFECT PATTERNS
Giraffe calves have to withstand a big drop as they are born in to the world, approximately 2 metres to the ground, and soon after, within an hour, they will be up and mobile, matching mum with their perfect caramel patterns!
#NaturePatterns
#NatureColours
#Giraffe
#Calf
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#WildlifePhotography
#OnSafari
@bayalaprivatesafarilodge
@sungulwane
@florafaunaint
📸 Lawrence Weitz
Apr 24
PERFECT PATTERNS
Giraffe calves have to withstand a big drop as they are born in to the world, approximately 2 metres to the ground, and soon after, within an hour, they will be up and mobile, matching mum with their perfect caramel patterns!
#NaturePatterns
#NatureColours
#Giraffe
#Calf
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#WildlifePhotography
#OnSafari
@bayalaprivatesafarilodge
@sungulwane
@florafaunaint
📸 Lawrence Weitz
EARTH DAY 2023
“Invest in our planet” is the theme.
Zuka Private Game Reserve is land restoration, wilderness preservation, wildlife protection, and a model of ways for ecosystems to thrive and biodiversity to grow. This is what we do and we LOVE it!
#restored
#protected
#preserved
#wild
#earthday2023
#investinourplanet
#doublerainbow🌈🌈
@earthdaynetwork
@earthshotprize
@faunafloraint
📸 @its_jamie_lucas
Apr 22
EARTH DAY 2023
“Invest in our planet” is the theme.
Zuka Private Game Reserve is land restoration, wilderness preservation, wildlife protection, and a model of ways for ecosystems to thrive and biodiversity to grow. This is what we do and we LOVE it!
#restored
#protected
#preserved
#wild
#earthday2023
#investinourplanet
#doublerainbow🌈🌈
@earthdaynetwork
@earthshotprize
@faunafloraint
📸 @its_jamie_lucas
EXPANDING GREEN FRONTIERS
In 2001 we bought Zuka as a mere 1,380 hectares in size! Since then we have worked to negotiate the removal of fences along our original boundaries, acquired additional properties and incorporated neighbouring landowners who share our vision, to create the 10,300 hectare land assembly that is Zuka Private Game Reserve today.
Removing fences with @andbeyondphinda in 2004, is one example in our quest, enabling uninterupted animal movement across a total of 29,000 hectares of restored and protected northern Zululand.
#MotherEarth
#InternationalEarthDay
#ExpandGreenFrontiers
#GameReserves
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Conservation
#Biodiversity
#OurStory
#SouthAfrica
@zukaprivategamereserve
@florafaunaint
@unitednations
@earthshotprize
@sungulwane
📸 @dylan_pons_photography
Apr 19
EXPANDING GREEN FRONTIERS
In 2001 we bought Zuka as a mere 1,380 hectares in size! Since then we have worked to negotiate the removal of fences along our original boundaries, acquired additional properties and incorporated neighbouring landowners who share our vision, to create the 10,300 hectare land assembly that is Zuka Private Game Reserve today.
Removing fences with @andbeyondphinda in 2004, is one example in our quest, enabling uninterupted animal movement across a total of 29,000 hectares of restored and protected northern Zululand.
#MotherEarth
#InternationalEarthDay
#ExpandGreenFrontiers
#GameReserves
#Restored
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Conservation
#Biodiversity
#OurStory
#SouthAfrica
@zukaprivategamereserve
@florafaunaint
@unitednations
@earthshotprize
@sungulwane
📸 @dylan_pons_photography
CHEETAH CUB
Cheetah are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species due to their diminishing numbers.
@zukaprivategamereserve is a perfect habitat and consists of thousands of hectares for cheetah to survive and thrive.
Protecting this species is what we do.
#CheetahCubs
#VulnerableCat
#Savannah
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Conservation
#LandRestoration
#BigCatConservation
@iucn_congress
@pantheracats
@earthshotprize
📸 @its_jamie_lucas
Apr 17
CHEETAH CUB
Cheetah are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species due to their diminishing numbers.
@zukaprivategamereserve is a perfect habitat and consists of thousands of hectares for cheetah to survive and thrive.
Protecting this species is what we do.
#CheetahCubs
#VulnerableCat
#Savannah
#Protected
#Preserved
#Wild
#Conservation
#LandRestoration
#BigCatConservation
@iucn_congress
@pantheracats
@earthshotprize
📸 @its_jamie_lucas
BEACH LIFE
We live with a strong connection to the ocean being located so close to the coast. We love driving north through @zukaprivategamereserve, through the UNESCO World Heritage Site @isimangaliso wetland park and in no time we are bare foot on the endless sand and diving in to the Indian Ocean. Safari with a twist!
#BeWild
#OnSafari
#BigFiveReserve
#IndianOcean
#WildBeach
#BareFoot
#BlueSky
#Wilderness
#Protected
#Conservation
#MarineLife
#MarineProtectedArea
#KwaZuluNatal
#SouthAfrica
@unesco
@oceanfamilyfoundation
📸 @antonlouw74
Apr 14
BEACH LIFE
We live with a strong connection to the ocean being located so close to the coast. We love driving north through @zukaprivategamereserve, through the UNESCO World Heritage Site @isimangaliso wetland park and in no time we are bare foot on the endless sand and diving in to the Indian Ocean. Safari with a twist!
#BeWild
#OnSafari
#BigFiveReserve
#IndianOcean
#WildBeach
#BareFoot
#BlueSky
#Wilderness
#Protected
#Conservation
#MarineLife
#MarineProtectedArea
#KwaZuluNatal
#SouthAfrica
@unesco
@oceanfamilyfoundation
📸 @antonlouw74
BUSH BABY
No, you are never to young to be on safari!
And hilariously it’s not the big dramatic mammals that make the biggest impact, it’s the dung beetles and the ants, or a car made of wood and wire that will never get close to passing health and safety!
No matter how young on their first safari, the bush experience embeds itself, things spark and light up as nature speaks for itself. This is possibly the most important connection in life ever to be made.
Say hello to our newest, cutest bush ambassador!
#MakingMemories
#BushBaby
#MotherEarth
#OnSafari
#GetOutside
#GetInTheDirt
#BigMammals
#LittleCreatures
#InTheWild
#Adventure
#Creativity
#WoodenToys
#SupportingLocalBusiness
@africa_found
📸 @dylan_pons_photography
Apr 12
BUSH BABY
No, you are never to young to be on safari!
And hilariously it’s not the big dramatic mammals that make the biggest impact, it’s the dung beetles and the ants, or a car made of wood and wire that will never get close to passing health and safety!
No matter how young on their first safari, the bush experience embeds itself, things spark and light up as nature speaks for itself. This is possibly the most important connection in life ever to be made.
Say hello to our newest, cutest bush ambassador!
#MakingMemories
#BushBaby
#MotherEarth
#OnSafari
#GetOutside
#GetInTheDirt
#BigMammals
#LittleCreatures
#InTheWild
#Adventure
#Creativity
#WoodenToys
#SupportingLocalBusiness
@africa_found
📸 @dylan_pons_photography
“It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement;
the greatest source of visual beauty;
the greatest source of intellectual interest.
It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worlth living.”
~ DAVID ATTENBOROUGH ~
27°50’16”S 32°15’38”E
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