MISSION & HISTORY.
Our mission is to enthuse students, guests and researchers to be passionate and responsible about conservation by showing them the beauty of the wildlife at Mankwe Wildlife Reserve, in the hope that they will leave with a deeper understanding of how all species, no matter how big or small, are essential to sustaining a healthy ecosystem. We strive to manage a healthy ecosystem where all species of fauna and flora are studied, researched and protected. Future generations will have the task of managing and repairing the damage done to the environment by previous generations and this can only be accomplished through education and awareness.
Mankwe is a small family run, 4700 hectare nature reserve situated in the malaria free North West Province of South Africa, approximately 5km’s east of the Pilansberg National Park. Our main objective is education and research as we currently accommodate ten Universities and facilitate their ecology field courses as well as run seven Earthwatch research teams annually. We work closely with the community to create conservation awareness by establishing Wildlife Clubs in local schools and hosting conservation days on the reserve.
The reserve has two main camps; Waterbuck Camp which sleeps up to 36 guests and is situated on the banks of the Motolobo dam and Nkombi Camp which sleeps 12 volunteers and is situated in the heart of the reserve. Both camps are unfenced, game drives are done in open vehicles, and bush walks are regularly conducted on the reserve, enabling guests to have a true bush experience as well as live amongst the abundant wildlife as Mankwe boasts up to 53 species of large mammals, over 380 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles, 15 species of small mammals and 68 species dung beetles.
Mankwe has been hosting university field courses for the past 19 years and have earned the trust of many international universities with 10 international universities currently running ecology field-based courses at the reserve annually. The reserve is unique in that students are able to walk on the reserve and conduct research on all the fauna and flora the reserve has to offer. Students have the opportunity to tap into long term research projects and work with both scientists and experienced conservationists.
The groups are educated on all aspects of conservation and gain a holistic approach to managing a balanced and self-sustaining ecosystem. The Mankwe team are passionate about educating students on the importance of sustainability and ensuring that everyone leaves with a better understanding of nature and the importance to protect our natural world for future generations.
Universities are able to tailor make their field course itineraries to best suite their course objective, or they can make use of the field course offered by the reserve. Lectures and field work practical’s are facilitated by highly experienced conservationists, scientists and guides. Mini projects are encouraged at the end of the field course so that students can practically apply what they have learnt during field exercises and lectures.
The reserve can accommodate 36 students at a time and typically a course runs for 10 days to 2 weeks.
WHY CHOOSE US.
OUR TEAM.
