Widening the biodiversity circle
Buffalo Kloof working with nature reserve, commonage
The team running Buffalo Kloof a family-owned and managed game reserve have developed their 20,000ha conservancy from scratch into a remarkable sanctuary for wildlife. Now they plan to take it even further by encouraging close cooperation with the Waters Meeting Nature Reserve and Bathurst Commonage.
“Buffalo Kloof is situated in one of the most biodiverse conservation areas in Southern Africa, with four unique flora biomes, approximately 40 species of mammals and over 350 species of birds,” owner Warne Rippon said at a recent gathering of Friends of Water’s Meeting in Bathurst. His subject was “sustaining sacred spaces, reviving the wild through collaborative efforts in indigenous land restoration for black rhino habitat.”
“We safeguard some of Africa’s most rare and endangered wildlife and plant species and do so proudly. Our extensive conservation efforts work towards creating and maintaining a healthy ecosystem which functions as a sanctuary for endangered species.
“Our aim is for every single person that experiences Buffalo Kloof to leave feeling fulfilled and restored by the healing energy of nature, with the knowledge that they have contributed to the greater good,” Rippon said.
Situated 40km south of the Great Fish River in the Southwell Valley, Buffalo Kloof is close to the source of the Kowie River. It also harbours four of the big five: elephant, rhino, leopard, and Cape buffalo. It shares borders with the Waters Meeting Nature Reserve and Bathurst Commonage.
The Waters Meeting Nature Reserve covers an area of 174ha. Its name derives from the point where freshwater from the Kowie River meets the saltwater from the Kowie River Mouth. It is home to about 110 plant species.
There are many unanswered questions around the Bathurst commonage, even as far as the size is concerned. It has long been a controversial subject. According to a report on the Bathurst Residents & Ratepayers Association website the community (both the village and Nolukhanyo) think the municipality holds it in custodianship for the community.
After the meeting in Bathurst Rippon told TOTT that Buffalo Kloof has been working with Eastern Cape Nature Conservation since they started reintroducing black rhino and elephants as far back as 2019. EC Nature Conservation has made two sections of Waters Meeting Nature Reserve available for the programme. “Undoubtedly, we are actively seeking buy-in from all local communities and organisations,” said Rippon. These include all people involved in the Bathurst commonage, the Bathurst Residents & Ratepayers Association and Friends of Waters Meeting.
Buffalo Kloof has a long history of community upliftment. For example, they work closely with the Yendella community, who occupy a property adjoining the conservancy.
In 2015, a support project was initiated: Buffalo Kloof issued an invitation to the community to incorporate a section of their land into the conservancy an area of pristine, biodiverse Albany Thicket on steep land unsuited to agriculture. The resulting long-term lease agreement has created a mutually beneficial relationship between Buffalo Kloof and the Yendella Community.
Rainfall and temperatures in Port Alfred for Wednesday April 3 to Tuesday April 9 2024 (Rainfall in millimetres and temperatures in degrees Celsius).
● Wednesday: 0 (14°C)
● Thursday: 0 (15°C)
● Friday: 2 (18°C)
● Saturday: 0 (15°C)
● Sunday: 3 (16°C)
● Monday: 5 (18°C)
● Tuesday: 6 (17°C)
● Total rainfall: 16mm
● Seven-day mean temperature 16.14°C (Median 16)
● Average for April 104mm
● YTD 155mm
● MTD 21mm
— Rainfall and temperature measurements, recorded at 6am in Forest Downs, Port Alfred by Emil Jurgensen.