projects
Rhino RidgeSafari Lodge
If you would like to receive additional information on any of our projects, please contact us at [email protected]
The start of the journey
Established in 2015 - Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park
A company was established in 2013 between The Mpembeni Community Trust (representing the community), Isibindi Africa Lodges and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF). 85% of our staff are employed from the local Mpembeni community and the percentage of previously disadvantaged individuals PDI employed by the lodge is 96%. In 2022 the wage bill accrued to the 53 people employed from Mpembeni community exceeded R3 600 000.00.
Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres
The first few years of a child’s life are crucial towards their future development. The Foundation supports a number of ECD Centre’s located in the community of Mpembeni through various support programmes, including training on effective teaching practice, mentorship for practitioners, nutrition, and infrastructure improvement.
Hluhluwe – iMfolozi Park K9 Unit
The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is the birthplace of the Southern White Rhino – where the species was saved from extinction in the 1950’s and 60’s thanks to the mammoth effort great conservationists including Dr. Ian Player, Magqubu Ntombela and Nick Steele. Today, the rhino is once again under massive threat. The Foundation has launched a campaign to expand and improve the effectiveness of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park K9 Unit by adding more dogs to the unit, who are a highly effective tool in the fight against poaching.
Mpembeni Environmental Centre
The need to grow awareness on conservation and tourism – and the benefits of these two areas to local communities who reside alongside our environmentally protected areas is vital for their future sustainability. To achieve this, the Foundation is working alongside the Mpembeni community to establish the Mpembeni Environmental Centre, a facility that will be used to run various educational workshops focusing on tourism and conservation, as well as serve as a base for environmental clubs for local children.
Unyezi Community-Based Organisation
The Isibindi Foundation provides support to Unyezi Community – Based Centre on a monthly basis through the provision of groceries and supplies. This Organisation supports the vulnerable in the Mpembeni community by assisting the elderly, providing refuge and support to orphaned children, as well as provide counselling by social workers where needed.
Anti-Poaching Unit
The Nqumeni Section of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, where Rhino Ridge is located, is one of the few areas that still make use of horses in conducting patrols within this area. We support this section with various supplies such as hiking and camping gear for rangers on patrol, as well as additional resources and support should they be required.
Spekboom Plantation
This amazing plant helps to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by acting like a carbon sponge, improving the quality of air we breathe. Spekboom can absorb between four to ten tonnes of carbon per hectare. At Rhino Ridge, the Isibindi Foundation has planted 3000 Spekboom plants to offset the carbon footprint of our guests travelling to the lodge.
Alien Weed Control
We regularly assist and collaborate with park authorities on alien weed control in our various environmentally sensitive areas. These plants pose a major threat to indigenous life in these locations. Monitoring and preventing their rapid spread is vital towards protecting our natural landscapes.
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not!”
-The Lorax | Dr Seuss
Donations
All donations are always received with great appreciation and will take us a step closer to achieving our vision of investing in our communities in a conservation-oriented manner. All donations received will be utilized in one or more of our above programs. All project specific donations received will be allocated to the donor’s project of choice!
