Siyafunda Wildlife & Conservation

Siyafunda Wildlife & Conservation Siyafunda Wildlife and Conservation Siyafunda is a wildlife volunteering and eco-experience.

We provide a holistic wildlife safari experience for descerning travelers who wish to enjoy South Africa's amazing and diverse wildlife, but at the same time contribute personally to conservation efforts that are needed to sustain these wild populations. Our focus as an organisation is to partner with Nature reserves within Southern Africa and provide wildlife monitoring and habitat rehabilitation

service to them, through the efforts of our volunteers. We operate within the Greater Makalali Game Reserve offering two experiences: Our volunteer research camp and our endangered species bush camp, for detailed information on these options visit our website www.siyafundaconservation.com.

Thank you to Bhejane 360° for all your hard work and long hours protecting our wildlife here on the Greater Makalali Nat...
17/04/2026

Thank you to Bhejane 360° for all your hard work and long hours protecting our wildlife here on the Greater Makalali Nature Reserve.

Portions of the funds raised from the Siyafunda Slog have gone towards the new anti-poaching satellite camp, 15 new trauma kits for the anti-poaching team, improvement of our communication over the reserve with new radio towers, Ai camera traps and more !!

Thank you for all donations last year, your generosity helps protect wildlife, support those on the front lines and helps ensure a safer future for our natural heritage.

We hope to see you this year again, where it be walking, creating awareness or raising funds at the Siyafunda Slog 2026 !!

Link in Bio

Welcome to the SIYAFUNDA SLOG 🦏8th - 9th August 2026Women in ConservationAn unforgettable two-day walking challenge thro...
14/04/2026

Welcome to the SIYAFUNDA SLOG 🦏
8th - 9th August 2026

Women in Conservation

An unforgettable two-day walking challenge through the breathtaking Makalali Game Reserve in Limpopo, South Africa.

2026's theme will be focussed on Woman's unique contributions to Conservation in Africa.

​Hosted by Siyafunda, the Siyafunda Slog takes place on 8th to 9th August 2026, offering an incredible opportunity to push your physical limits while directly supporting wildlife conservation.

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The Challenge

Embark on a 100 km hike along the Makalali Game Reserve’s fence line—50 km each day—testing your endurance, resilience, and commitment to conservation. An overnight rest camp, set in a scenic riverbed within the reserve, offers a welcome break to relax, refuel, and recharge under the stars.

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Make a Real Impact

More than just a physical challenge, the Siyafunda Slog is a fundraising journey. Participants are encouraged to raise donations by reaching out to their networks, shining a light on the daily challenges faced by field rangers and anti-poaching units who work tirelessly to protect South Africa’s wildlife.

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Limited Spaces – Apply Now!

The event is open to all nationalities, but spaces are limited to just 30 participants. Apply through our website to secure your spot—applicants will be selected based on their responses in the application form.

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Support a Participant

Can’t join the walk? You can still support conservation by donating through our website. Explore participant profiles to learn more about their personal motivations and fundraising goals, and help them make a difference.

• Welcome braai on the Friday night at 17:00
• Slog starts 5:30am on Sat/Sun
• Prize giving Sunday evening
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Join us for the Siyafunda Slog—challenge yourself, support a cause, and make conservation everybody’s business.

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03/03/2026

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Shaya and kaluma ~ tembe males 🐾Watching these two boys take their place and dominate the reserve has been quite the exp...
20/10/2025

Shaya and kaluma ~ tembe males 🐾

Watching these two boys take their place and dominate the reserve has been quite the experience. They are a powerful coalition bonded by blood, drive and hunger !!

One of our group of volunteers were going on on game drive in the morning when they found Razuna, a leopard that many pe...
11/07/2025

One of our group of volunteers were going on on game drive in the morning when they found Razuna, a leopard that many people have know and loved deeply over the years with severe injuries over her body.

A vet was called in to assess her injuries and the choice was made to try help her. Our volunteers were lucky enough to be so active in this intervention with one, having her experience in a vet clinic being able to assist stitching her up.
She was taken to a near by rehabilitation centre to try and recover.

We suspect it was another female leopard she got in a fight with that could have been trying to take her territory. Razuna is quite an older female and you can see by her wounds she came off second best.

Appreciation towards our reserve for taking the action to help her, it shows conservation is rooted in compassion, protecting wildlife not just in numbers but in moments of care and humanity.

Unfortunately at the rehabilitation center her wounds were to severe and she passed away, she was special to us and she'll leave behind with us the cubs she raised, the hearts she touched and the lesson of strength and resilience.

At 8 months old, cheetah cubs are full of energy and curiosity. By now, they’re no longer just nursing — they’ve started...
10/07/2025

At 8 months old, cheetah cubs are full of energy and curiosity. By now, they’re no longer just nursing — they’ve started eating solid meat and are joining their mother on hunts, not yet as participants but as eager observers. This is when their real schooling begins.

They follow her closely, watching every crouch, every silent step, every sudden burst of speed. She becomes their teacher. They don’t just learn by watching — they begin to practice too. She may bring back live, weakened prey like hares or small antelope, giving the cubs a chance to hone their stalking, chasing, and tackling skills. It’s messy, clumsy, and often unsuccessful — but every failed pounce is a lesson.

Their mother remains protective but slowly becomes more distant, encouraging independence.

At 8 months, cheetahs are halfway through their time with their mother. They’re no longer helpless, but not yet ready to hunt on their own. This stage is all about practice, observation, and learning the art of survival in the wild.

At Makalali Private Game Reserve, we’re proud to host the longest continuously running PZP program in the world. Decades...
07/07/2025

At Makalali Private Game Reserve, we’re proud to host the longest continuously running PZP program in the world. Decades of work, dedication, and innovation — all to find a better way,
because we believe conservation should protect life, not take it. That ethical wildlife management is possible. That elephants deserve more than bullets when space runs out.
PZP (Porcine Zona Pellucida) is a non-hormonal contraceptive used to humanely manage elephant populations. It doesn’t harm them, doesn’t change their natural behavior — it simply slows reproduction, giving ecosystems a chance to breathe.
And every elephant still roaming because of this program is proof that compassion can be part of conservation.

So what do you think too many elephants or too little space ?

26/06/2025

Thank you all for an amazing Slog 2025..... Donations have reached R210k which is an amazing amount.. Will keep you all updated on what we use it for... Hope to see you in 2026.

Thank you all for an amazing Slog 2025..... Donations have reached R240k which is an amazing amount.. Will keep you all ...
26/06/2025

Thank you all for an amazing Slog 2025..... Donations have reached R240k which is an amazing amount.. Will keep you all updated on what we use it for... Hope to see you in 2026.
Thanks to: .sa

Thank you all for an amazing Slog 2025..... Donations have reached R210k which is an amazing amount.. Will keep you all ...
26/06/2025

Thank you all for an amazing Slog 2025..... Donations have reached R210k which is an amazing amount.. Will keep you all updated on what projects we fund with it... Hope to see you in 2026.

Address

27 Harmony, Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve
Hoedspruit
1380

Telephone

+27827818394

Website

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