Conservation
“For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive;
in this century he is beginning to realise that,
in order to survive, he must protect it.”
- Jacques Yves Cousteau
From the very beginning, Kishindo has worked to develop ethical, welfare-led conservation and rewilding models for endangered species — practical approaches intended to be replicable and financially sustainable. Our aim is to contribute learnings that can inform other projects, rather than simply make claims of impact.
The reserve itself is part of that story. Land once used as semi-arid farmland has undergone intensive ecological restoration, and today it functions as a recovering wilderness system. Within this landscape, we focus on protecting some of nature’s most vulnerable species while supporting habitat recovery, biodiversity, and long-term ecological resilience.
Rewilding Success
Rewilding at Kishindo started as our necessity to prepare the reserve for supporting endangered big cats; however, it has since evolved into a far-reaching natural phenomenon. The Blue Crane, Verreaux’s Eagle, Blue Korhaan, Black-footed cat, Aardvark, and Aardwolf represent just some of the rare species that have returned to the land and now find protection at Kishindo.
A Cheetah Metapopulation Story
With broad open plains available and suitable prey species for cheetah introduction, and a commitment to expanding conservation impact, Kishindo launched the Cheetah Wild Project in 2013 in collaboration with the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the Cheetah Metapopulation Initiative. Over the past 13 years, the reserve has contributed thirteen young adult cheetahs, relocated to carefully selected, suitable partner reserves as part of a wider strategy to strengthen genetic diversity, support viable sub-populations, and help secure the species’ long-term future across protected landscapes.
A Complementary Approach to Tiger Conservation
Kishindo’s approach to tiger conservation draws on Southern Africa’s legacy of conservation innovation, including ex-situ conservation — protecting a species outside its natural range as a backup to wild protection — and the legacy of Dr Ian Player, whose work on Operation Rhino helped pioneer the safe capture and translocation of rhino and contributed significantly to the recovery of the southern white rhino.
In simple terms, in-situ conservation means protecting animals in their natural home range. Ex-situ conservation means protecting them somewhere else, as an added safety net. In rhino conservation, this has included structured breeding programmes and proposals to establish safeguarded rhino populations outside Africa — including in places like Australia — to reduce risk and support long-term species survival
Kishindo applies this idea to tigers by providing African habitat and lifelong, welfare-led care for a managed population of Asian tigers. We prioritise responsible, low-impact tourism that helps fund this work, supports education and research partnerships, and builds public understanding of the tiger’s global conservation challenge.
“No one will protect what they don't care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced.”
- Sir David Attenborough
Support Our Conservation Work
Kishindo’s long-term goal is for conservation work to be sustained through responsible ecotourism. Building that kind of resilience takes time, and we welcome donations that help us deliver practical conservation outcomes on the ground.
Donations currently support priorities such as:
- Restoring biodiversity through the introduction of suitable indigenous species (including gemsbok, black wildebeest, mountain zebra, and vultures).
- Water security for wildlife through new water points in remote areas and support for our blue crane breeding habitat.
- Alien and invasive plant control to protect habitat quality and ecological function.
- Wildlife-safe fencing to support responsible land management.
- Strategic land expansion to increase protected habitat over time.