WE DID IT!

SISONKE FARM SECURED

KEYSTONE OF THE WILDLIFE CORRIDOR

Wild Tomorrow has secured the 731-acre (296-hectare) Sisonke Farm for our legally protected Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa!

In the isiZulu language, “Sisonke" means “to bridge” and expresses love, unity, and peace, a fitting name for a keystone property that will join the eastern and western sections of our reserve so animals can roam the entire 4,000-acre (1,620-hectare) expanse freely. The map above shows why the name Sisonke fits our new piece of land (in red) so well.

We had been waiting six years for Sisonke to come onto the market. When it went up for sale, we leapt at the chance to reclaim the land for nature. Now, our work rewilding the property, restoring habitat for wildlife, begins.

Sisonke from above: Looking west to Wild Tomorrow's nature reserve and the Munyawana Conservancy.

Sisonke is already home to the tiny and elusive suni antelope.

Part of Sisonke is a fever tree forest.

Seven giraffe already call Sisonke home. Now, they can roam our entire reserve.

Sisonke from above: Looking east to Wild Tomorrow's reserve and the Munyawana Conservancy.

A large pod of hippos on Sisonke's river bank.

Sisonke from above: Looking west to Wild Tomorrow's reserve and the Munyawana Conservancy.

Nyala antelope, like this large male, were raised on Sisonke for commercial hunting.

A pond on Sisonke Farm.

There are a handful of properties on Sisonke, like this small wooden cottage.

Wild Tomorrow will use Sisonke's modest properties in our conservation work.

The Msinene River meanders along Sisonke's northern edge.

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Restoring Sisonke’s Ecosystems for Wildlife

At Wild Tomorrow, our mission is to reverse global biodiversity loss, the main cause of which is habitat destruction and fragmentation. Our Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve lies in the heart of one of the world’s 36 global biodiversity hotspots, areas with a vibrant variety of species that the scientific community has prioritized for protection.

Securing and restoring properties like Sisonke — and all the other parcels of land that make up the Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve — is a vital part of the fight to protect this precious biodiversity.

Our next task, therefore, is to rewild Sisonke, restoring its natural ecosystems so it can become habitat for majestic creatures like African savanna elephants, rhinos, lions, and cheetahs once more. We will also make Sisonke a healthier habitat for the countless plant, insect, bird, fish, reptile, and mammal species endemic to the region.

Sisonke for People and Planet

In all our conservation work to save wildlife, we ensure the local community benefits. Wild Tomorrow employs 30 people in and around the Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve. Among our team are nine wildlife rangers and an ecosystem restoration team of 14 Zulu women, the Green Mambas.

Protecting and restoring Sisonke will mean more jobs for community members, starting with two new wildlife rangers. Our region of KwaZulu-Natal suffers from widespread poverty and unemployment, so Wild Tomorrow is proud to offer full-time work in conservation for to neighbors.

Rewilding Sisonke will have incredible benefits for the region’s biodiversity.

DONATE TO REWILD SISONKE