Guests at Amakhala Game Reserve experience far more than great hospitality and magnificent wildlife in the unspoilt African bush: they also enjoy the opportunity to support the passionate Amakhala Foundation team in connecting kids to nature to inspire the conservation and community custodians of the future.    
The Foundation is funded by donations and conservation levies from the commercial lodges and funding initiatives, such as sales of the annual Amakhala Wildlife Calendar.
“The conservation levy funds various conservation programmes, primarily boosting the rhino protection efforts of Amakhala’s Anti-Poaching Unit (APU),” explains Dr Jennifer Gush, director of Amakhala Foundation. “It also sustains our award-winning Conservation Education programmes at Amakhala’s Conservation Centre (ACC) that help connect kids to nature, so we inspire the next generation of conservation warriors, who protect our heritage for future generations.”      
Amakhala offers a range of environmental education programmes which includes a partnership with Coaching for Conservation®. Each year, close to 2000 people, young and old, are positively influenced by these programmes to learn about environmental issues and connect with nature.
“I meet hundreds of school children that visit Amakhala each year to learn about nature conservation. I enjoy nothing more than being part of a child’s first wildlife experience. The thrill of seeing a child encounter a wild animal in its natural environment for the first time just never grows dull,” says Jennifer.
Most recently, the conservation levy funded a new 22-seater game drive vehicle, dedicated solely to taking children on game drives to experience the magnificent wildlife in untouched nature and to teach them more about the value of conservation.  
In addition, Amakhala ensures that staff members’ children have access to quality education through Amakhala Foundation's Bursary Fund and the iJosi Preschool, while young girls in the community benefit from the Beaded Bracelet Bursary Project, a tertiary education bursary fund. Amakhala also supports the Isipho Charity Trust in Paterson, which cares for 300 orphans and vulnerable children.
Through these programmes, Amakhala is making a significant impact on both the community and conservation. A case in point is the story of Azola, a young boy brought up at Isipho, who stands today on the frontline of rhino conservation.

Bukela Game Lodge reopened on 1 August with a new main lodge area, five new luxury safari tents and luxury upgrades to their four built thatched units.  

The five new thatched tents offer luxury features including private view decks, indoor/outdoor showers, deep-soaking tubs, closed-system slow-combustion fireplaces and heating/cooling inverter aircons.   

The new thatched main lodge area includes a spacious indoor/outdoor lounge and bar area overlooking the new hard wood main pool deck, another pool deck with views over the watering hole and the new serene water-wise succulent gardens. The original main lodge area is now a dining area with new stacker doors opening up magnificent views.

In time for even more summer fun, Woodbury Tented Camp is building a sparkling new pool and upgrading their break area.

Tucked into the embracing hillside thicket with breathtaking views, overlooking the ancient floodplain of the Bushman's River, this intimate family-run camp offers an authentic personalised African safari experience with heartfelt service and rustic, secluded luxury.

Previously named one of 'The World's 100 Greatest Hotels' by Flight Network, Canada, Woodbury Tented Camp is ideal for families. The age limit for children allowed at Woodbury Tented Camp has also been updated to six years and older.

Woodbury Lodge is getting into shape for summer with the announcement of their new pool and refurbished lounge area, adding even greater luxury for visitors. It offers guests five-star game viewing with experienced rangers, night drives, bush walks, river cruises and horse-riding trails.

With the newest upgrades, Woodbury Lodge continues to improve on its award-winning reputation, having received the Luxury Travel Guide’s Luxury Private Lodge of the Year Award (Africa & Middle East) in 2016,  2017 and 2018!

Woodbury Lodge is the ideal place for families and small groups. The age limit for children allowed at Woodbury has also been updated to six years and older.