Oscar Nomination for The Last Ranger God's Window We are proud to share that The Last Ranger, filmed right here at Amakhala Game Reserve, was nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards in March 2025!
It did not win an Oscar, but being recognised on this prestigious global platform is a great achievement. More importantly, The Last Ranger spotlighted crucial conservation issues in South Africa, raising awareness about the urgent
fight against rhino poaching. This 28-minute beautifully produced short film told in isiXhosa (with subtitles), is a powerful glimpse into the life of a ranger dedicated to protecting rhinos, highlighting the complex and dangerous reality of combating poaching and the vital role rangers play in preserving our natural heritage. We are honoured to be part of
this important project, having provided access to the stunning landscapes that set the backdrop of the film, as its message continues to resonate worldwide. Watch the trailer: The Last
Ranger |
New Tracking Collars Keep Lioness and Rhino Safe This Valentine’s Day, love was all around Amakhala, as we fitted
new tracking collars on a female lion and a mother rhino, ensuring we can continue to monitor and protect them. Our lioness received a brand-new VHF collar, which will allow us to keep a close eye on her movements and overall health. Photo Credit: Lulu in Africa A mother rhino, due to calve again soon, as well as her three-year-old calf, also received collar
upgrades. Mom now wears a Rouxcel collar equipped with artificial intelligence, allowing for enhanced tracking and early warning alerts. The calf’s VHF collar was adjusted to accommodate her growth. Thank you to Mastertons Coffee for sponsoring the rhino procedures; to our dedicated
partners Chipembere Rhino Foundation, Dr William Fowlds, Natalie Fowler, Ikhala Vet Clinic, and Happily Lost In Africa for their support; and to our Anti-Poaching Unit, including our vigilant K9 team, for their tireless work. Photo Credit: Lulu in Africa Discover the thrill of walking safaris at Amakhala Game Reserve!
Walking trails are a unique opportunity to get off the beaten track and experience the wilderness like never before: immersed in the sights, sounds and scents of the African bush, yet 100% safe as our expert guides lead you on an unforgettable journey.
Follow the myriad of elephant and rhino trails that crisscross this ancient landscape; meander across vast open plains; and negotiate river courses and valleys across 22,000 acres of unspoilt African
wilds, to get up close with some of the world’s most uniquely adapted plants and animals, ranging from African titans to countless small creatures you’ll only encounter on foot.
Amakhala Walking Trails is run by Riaan Brand, owner of Quatermain’s 1920’s Safari Camp and a FGASA
accredited Professional Trails Guide, as well as a Specialist Birding Guide (SKS Birding Thicket Biome). This experience is exclusively available to in-house guests and cannot be booked in advance. Once on the reserve, please check with your lodge to confirm availability.
The Amakhala Foundation engages
in a range of educational support programmes - from children of preschool age through to adults in the working world. At its iJosi Preschool, the Foundation continues to foster a learning environment that is as playful as it is purposeful. With the introduction of a weekly drumming session and other Montessori-style learning approaches, courtesy of Bev Brunette and Vanessa Gama, toys have become tools for teaching. The IJosi preschoolers are also enjoying their new shaded sandpit and outdoor playground equipment, and a big thank you to the Amakhala Volunteers for their generous donation of toys to IJosi Preschool! But there’s more! Along with a weekly story hour and digital learning sessions for learners at Sidbury Primary School, Amakhala Foundation has also been offering Lobster Ink courses to the adult staff members of Amakhala Game Reserve. This internationally recognised digital training platform provides a wide variety of hospitality-related courses through videos and online assessments: a great opportunity for employees to obtain formal training and certification for their current and future roles.
This year, 20 Amakhala Game Reserve staff members received their Lobster Ink certificates at special graduation events. More than 80 certificates in total were handed out to staff members, with one having completed over 20 courses!
It is extremely encouraging and exciting to see Amakhala staff grabbing this opportunity for their personal and career growth, and the Foundation is proud to have had a part in facilitating their success.
Candidates from Safari Lodge celebrating their Lobster Ink certificates Nomonde Mayinje (Left) and Athenkosi Theo Pokile (Middle) from Leeuwenbosch Country House and Nondumiso Myataza (Right) from The Amakhala Foundation. Amakhala Game Reserve News Lodge Closures During the Low Season
During the upcoming low season, several lodges will temporarily close for scheduled maintenance and seasonal adjustments. Guests planning their
stays should note the following closure dates:
• Bush Lodge: 01 – 31 July
• Woodbury Lodge: 18 June – 2 July
• Woodbury Tented Camp: 18 June – 2 July
• Quartermain’s Camp: 27 June – 22 July
Lodges Remaining Open
The following lodges will continue to operate as usual, offering guests an
uninterrupted safari experience:
• Leeuwenbosch Country House
• Induli Game Lodge
• Safari Lodge
• Hillsnek Safari Camp
• Hlosi Game Lodge
• Bukela Game Lodge
• Woodbury Manor
Amakhala Game Reserve Lodge News
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Lodge Fences Dropped for ConservationIn March this year, Induli Lodge and Woodbury Manor removed their internal fences, opening a large rewilded area that connects the eastern plateau with the rest of the reserve. This expansion allows wildlife, including elephants and lions, to move freely and to access essential resources. Guests at Induli Lodge and Woodbury Manor can now experience sweeping views of the Bushman's River Valley while observing these iconic species in their natural habitat. This landmark achievement underscores Amakhala’s dedication to conservation, creating a future where nature and luxury exist in harmony. On a scorching 40-degree day under the big blue African sky, there’s nothing more enjoyable than cooling off in a sparkling pool, while enjoying unlimited views of the unspoilt, magnificent bush and
watching the incredible wildlife around the waterhole. Our guests at Bush Lodge recently once again had front-row seats to this incredible sight—buffalo, warthogs, and giraffes gathering for a drink. It’s a regular highlight at Bush Lodge, where nature always puts on a show, and you don’t even have to leave the pool to enjoy it! Follow us on Instagram to see our updates at Bush Lodge. @bushlodge_amakhala // More Info We are delighted to welcome Jeanne Blignaut as our new manager of Bukela Game Lodge. Join us in giving her a warm Amakhala welcome! With a passion for warm hospitality and creating unforgettable guest experiences, Jeanne’s vision is to make Bukela a true home away from home. She believes in the beauty of slowing down – creating a space where guests can simply relax, unwind and embrace the tranquility of the bush. Whether it’s enjoying a quiet moment on your private deck or savouring a delicious meal, Jeanne and her team are dedicated to ensuring your stay is easy and rejuvenating. // More Info Big news! The fence separating the eastern plateau of the reserve from the rest of Amakhala Game Reserve is officially coming down. On Sunday 24th of March 2025 the first wires were cut during a short but entertaining ceremony hosted by Woodbury Manor and attended by friends and family members of Amakhala Game Reserve, including three generations of the Hart and Gush families! This is the latest step towards creating a greater conservation landscape in the Albany region of the Eastern Cape and the vision of a biosphere that will facilitate corridors for wildlife movement like never before. Photo Credit: Nandi Williams Safari Lodge has again successfully passed
all the criteria to remain a Fair Trade Tourism accredited establishment! We received our first successful certification in 2008 and our team has successfully managed to keep this prestigious certification for 16 years running! We are so proud that our Fair Trade Tourism torch remains lit for 2025, making this our 17th year as a partner. By making use of a carbon footprint tool to monitor activities that contribute to carbon emissions and environmental impact, our team has also taken an
extra step in the preservation of our beautiful environment for future generations. // More Info At Hlosi Game Lodge, our resident hippo
is a star attraction, delighting guests with its curious nature and daily explorations. Often seen wandering near the lodge or on the banks of the waterhole, this little adventurer provides incredible wildlife moments, especially for those watching from our lookout hide. Guests love relaxing in the hide, watching the hippo moving, grazing and exploring. It’s a rare and special experience to see magnificent animals up close in such a peaceful setting. Whether it’s your first visit or a return
trip, you’re bound to observe our favourite hippo in his favourite spot – Hlosi’s waterhole! // More Info On the deck overlooking the magnificent African wild all round Induli, our serene yoga classes unfold like a gentle sunrise. A unique opportunity to unplug from the usual pace of life and sync with rhythms of nature, our guests are invited to embark on a mystical journey, weaving movement, breath and nature's symphony. With each pose, connect deeper with the African wilderness, letting the rhythms of the wild awaken your inner calm. As the savannah awakens, enjoy the stillness of the morning and find balance, harmony, and
tranquillity in our enchanting yoga sessions - a truly unforgettable safari experience. // More Info It’s rarity season! Woodbury Lodge guests
have been privileged to see some very unusual birds on Amakhala Game Reserve lately. In the space of a few weeks, an African Wattled Lapwing and an African Hawk Eagle have been seen on game drive, both very unusual species for the Eastern Cape. These “vagrants” (as they are called in the birding community) add a special flavour to the incredible birdlife on
the reserve, where nearly 300 species have been recorded since its inception. Photo Credit: Nico Nel // More Info Leeuwenbosch Country HouseWith December being so busy, we only recently held a late Christmas party for our special team, always doing their best for our guests. It was a joyful gathering of smiles, singing and prayers, and many
laughs thanks to Secret Santa gifting. The removal of more fences on the Reserve has also elevated the game viewing to the next level, with the elephants just loving all the fresh bush to investigate. For our birders, a white-backed vulture has been spotted across the reserve and we found a wattled lap wing, a vagrant - and also the largest - in the region! // More Info In 2024 the landmark Bushman’s River underpass was opened, allowing greater movement of wildlife across Amakhala Game Reserve. As a result, the area that was previously used by Amakhala Horse Trails trail is now inhabited by dangerous wildlife such as elephants and lions. The good news is that the horseback experience is still available under the new name Woodbury Horse Trails.
Trail rides are conducted on the working cattle farms of Beacon Hill and Brentwood which are owned by the Gush family along with the Woodbury safari properties. In coexistence with livestock, these historical farms are also the home to wildlife such as giraffe, Cape mountain zebra, red hartebeest, warthog, mountain reedbuck and impala. // More Info Quatermains 1920’s Safari Camp At Quatermain's 1920's Safari
Camp, we are dedicated to giving our guests amazing wildlife sightings: whether that be on foot on an incredible walking safari, on an exciting game drive, during an adventurous overnight trail, or just while relaxing in camp. That is, after all, what being on safari is all about! Recent guests enjoyed the wonderful opportunity of appreciating a relaxing drink in camp while being visited by some inquisitive elephants. Our unfenced camp allows guests to enjoy and connect with nature as part
of an authentic wilderness escape. Isn't that what we all need in this busy modern world? // More Info |
Spotted on Amakhala Game Reserve In an exciting new initiative, we will be sharing some of the amazing wildlife images captured by both our Amakhala Rangers and guests who visit the Amakhala Game Reserve. To have your images considered for inclusion, please email your photograph taken on the Reserve, with your name and surname to sandra@amakhala.co.za. Photographs supplied by
Nicole Garner, a guest visiting Amakhala Game Reserve. Image credits: Nicole Garner |
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