Our Passion for Nature Drives Our Purpose
Our team is largely made up of locals from surrounding communities, and our training programme creates opportunities beyond traditional farm work. The skills gained through this work have helped shape the success of Kishindo as a private reserve and lodge.
We value our team’s dedication to the lodge, the land, and our projects. Without their commitment, Kishindo would not be what it is today.
The History of our Private Game Reserve
Kishindo Tiger Canyon is an ecotourism and conservation destination with more than 25 years of history shaped by wildlife, land stewardship, and responsible tourism. Our purpose is to care for this landscape long-term — supporting wildlife welfare, ecological integrity, and meaningful learning for future generations.
Co-owned and operated by Rodney and Lorna Drew, Kishindo is guided by three generations of nature custodians. Family values underpin everything we do — from the way we host guests, to the way we manage the reserve, to the standard of care we hold across our projects.
The original reserve, Tiger Canyon, was founded by filmmaker and conservationist John Varty. He has since returned to Londolozi Game Reserve, where his conservation and filmmaking work began.
The Lodge Team
The Drew Family
Meet the Team
Kishindo Tiger Canyon is based in a remote part of South Africa’s Free State. Many of our staff are from the Philippolis community and have been trained on the reserve — building practical skills in hospitality, guiding, maintenance, and reserve operations.
We value the pride, consistency, and care our team brings to the lodge, the land, and our projects every day. Kishindo is what it is because of the people who show up, learn, and lead.
Our Guides and Future Guides
The Support Staff
Meet Our Guides
Our field guides combine strong local knowledge with daily time in the landscape. Their role is not only to help guests see wildlife, but to interpret what they are witnessing — from behaviour and habitat to geology, history, and the relationships that shape this ecosystem.
With a calm, respectful approach in the field and a gift for making complex ideas easy to understand, our guides help guests leave with a deeper appreciation for this place
Community Matters
Kishindo believes conservation must include people. The children, families, and communities around the reserve are part of the future we are working toward. We focus on practical support that strengthens local wellbeing and opportunity, alongside responsible tourism.
We partner with RADA to support local schools and soup kitchens with food donations, and to provide young girls with reusable personal hygiene supplies
In partnership with the Hantam Community Education Trust, we provide training for students entering the hospitality industry.
A Unique Vision, A Brighter Future
Nestled in the heart of South Africa’s Free State, Kishindo offers a diverse and evolving landscape unlike any other game reserve in the country. From vast grasslands and rocky outcrops to river systems, wetlands, and the mighty Orange River, the reserve provides a haven for wildlife and a deeply immersive experience for visitors.
Our vision for the future is rooted in responsible growth and long-term stewardship. This includes exploring opportunities to expand the protected landscape onto surrounding farms and, over time, developing additional low-impact accommodation to support conservation work and strengthen the reserve’s sustainability. As Kishindo continues to evolve, our focus remains on learning from the land, supporting ethical wildlife management, and contributing thoughtfully to broader conservation understanding.
Where Art Meets Conservation
Step into a world where art and nature intertwine, a realm crafted by the talented hands of local artistic sisters, Lorna Drew and Valda Bromfield. Their exclusive Wild-be-Free collection awaits you at the Kishindo Curio Shop, and online, for those who seek inspiration from the natural world. . A portion of proceeds flows directly into Kishindo’s re-wilding projects—restoring habitats, protecting wildlife, and nurturing the Earth we all call home.
Blogs
Browse our blog articles to learn about the Kishindo game reserve, get updates about our big cats, and find out more about our various ecology and conservation projects on-the-go at the reserve.
