African Habitat Conservancy Joins Emerging Destinations

Emerging Destinations is pleased to welcome African Habitat Conservancy (AHC) to our family of cool companies in cool destinations around the globe.

AHC is a cutting-edge South African conservation management company that focuses on game reserves as well as the rehabilitation of flora and fauna endemic to the areas in which the company operates, in addition to the upliftment of local communities.

Founded by Barbara and Hellmuth Weisser, German investors with a passion for African conservation, and South African tour company owner Jeffrey van Staden, AHC was born of a vision to support the conservation of African wildlife via substantial investment in one of the most picturesque — but economically neglected — parts of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.

AHC works closely with community trusts and government bodies in KwaZulu-Natal province to create a blueprint for how land reclamation in South Africa can genuinely benefit local communities which partner with the public and private sector in conservation initiatives.

The company’s keystone project, Babanango Game Reserve is one of KwaZulu-Natal’s newest wildlife parks. Soon to be home to the “Big 5” of African animals, the malaria-free reserve is set on the White Umfolozi River in Zululand’s Babanango Valley. It’s a gorgeous and fascinating region that includes a pristine coastline, rolling hills, waving grasslands, forests, rivers, mangrove swamps and cattle ranches.

Babanango offers three overnight options: Zulu Rock Lodge, Babanango Valley Lodge and Matatane Camp. Each lodge is tucked into its own slice of pristine bush. The reserve sprawls across 22,000 hectares of mistbelt grasslands, thornveld and river frontage. Travellers Camp, a 5* Luxury Tented Camp, set along the banks of the While Umfolozi River, will officially open in May 2022.

Each AHC project is carefully selected with the intention of restoring ecosystems while empowering local communities through job creation and skills development in the hospitality and conservation industries. And each completed AHC project seeks to give visitors to the Zululand region of KwaZulu-Natal access to the best conservation experiences possible and authentic South African hospitality.

By delivering unique, innovative experiences to the tourist market that offer excellent value for money, African Habitat Conservancy aims to create a sustainable business model that will encourage future projects that make a difference in Africa.