Lalibela is one big conservation project – we call it “conservation for conservation’s sake”

Whilst Lalibela is run on business principles, our owners have pledged that all surpluses generated on Lalibela are allocated to the conservation of the land, animals and wider community.

We believe that an important element of conservation is ensuring that surrounding rural communities benefit from tourism as this ensures their buy-in and this translates into a strong conservation ethic in the wider community around Lalibela.

Lalibela Game Reserve Community Outreach Video

For every night you spend at Lalibela, you make a difference through the Conservation and Community Levy that you pay. 100% of funds collected are spent on our conservation initiatives, anti-poaching and community upliftment projects.

As needs and priorities in the community change, so do our efforts and focus. Below are some of the community outreach programmes that we are actively engaged in.

Sports Development

Fun and exercise are essential to one’s wellbeing and health. We support and sponsor two soccer teams, a netball team, a gumboot dance troupe and a boxing initiative. We assist with transport to matches, equipment, sport uniforms and facilities.

Education

Lalibela funds a Recreation Centre in the Seven Fountains Community where the children come in for assistance with their homework and school projects as well as for extra reading classes.

Children’s feeding scheme

The children hail from impoverished homes, so we look after them by providing nutritious meals. We supply the local school with breakfast porridge ingredients for 130 children. There has been a marked improvement in school attendance and academic performance. During school holidays, we provide both breakfasts & wholesome lunches to the children.

Functions and Celebrations

We support and are a part of various functions and celebrations within the community throughout the year, such as Mandela Day and Women’s Day.

Community Enrichment

Old Age Pensioners get treated at Easter and Christmas to formal lunches held at the Recreation Centre. Each receive a gift to take home and entertainment in the form of singing and dancing is organised for these pillars of society within the village.

EcoBricks

We encourage and educate the community about environmental issues. We have an ongoing EcoBricks project where plastic bottles are filled tightly with plastic litter and these EcoBricks are then used to build tables, benches and walls with cement.

Hope Jars

Soup Jars, or better known as “Hope Jars” are jars filled with rice, beans, lentils and other plant proteins. 30 – 40 Hope Jars are handed out weekly to households in the Seven Fountains Community. This helps to ensure everyone remains fed with hearty, nutritious meals.

Dog Project

The Ikhala Veterinary Clinic visits the Seven Fountains Community regularly. They treat the various medical ailments of the dogs which include sterilization, wound treatment, deworming  and provide medication for ticks and fleas. Lalibela provides dog food for the dogs two times a week. Kennels are gifted to individuals who are looking after their pets. These kennels are made from old pallets and decking planks which were replaced when one of our lodges were refurbished.

Stationery Packs & Holiday Club

We supply basic stationery packs each term to all learners and during the school holidays, we host a holiday club at the Recreation Centre where the fun and learning continues.

PACK WITH A PURPOSE

We encourage our guests to become part of “Pack with a Purpose” – where they bring surplus or unwanted items with them to Lalibela and these are then donated to one of our many community projects.

Currently, we are encouraging our guests, should they have space and any of these items perhaps lying unused, to bring some of the following (no matter how big or small):

Items always in need:

  • Toiletries for children (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap etc)
  • Sanitary towels for adolescent girls
  • School stationery (pens, pencils, erasers, calculators etc)
  • Used/2nd hand school shoes, running shoes and sport shoes
  • Used/2nd hand school clothes (grey trousers, white shirts, pullovers)

Current needs (as of March 2023):

  • Black school shoes (for children ages 6 to 13)
  • 2nd Hand children’s toys (any toys that are NOT battery operated)
  • Kid’s sized “Flip flops”  (we call them “Slip Slops” in South Africa)
  • Children’s clothing and shoes (Boys and girls)
  • Knitting wool
Lalibela Game Reserve - Pack with a purpose - Flip flops

On arrival at Lalibela, our guests simply tell their lodge manager that they have donations for our community programmes and these are then given to Charmain Gradwell, Lalibela’s Head of Community Development.

For more information about our community programmes, please contact Charmain Gradwell at [email protected]

“There is great power in small acts of kindness. And in how you make people feel.

My role in the school, the clinic and the broader Seven Fountains community allows me to give people undivided attention and that gives me so much in return”

Charmain Gradwell, head of Lalibela Community Development

COMMUNITY UPLIFTMENT AT LALIBELA

Quick Enquiry

  • Off N2 National Road (90 km from Port Elizabeth on the N2 towards Grahamstown)
    6131 Lalibela Game Reserve
    South Africa
  • +27 41 581 8170
mariaswaden
mariaswaden
2022-12-14
One of the best holidays We stayed at Kichaka lodge with a view of the watering hole where a family of hippos had taken up residence. It was wonderful. The staff could not have done more for us. The safari’s were incredible with Ashley our ranger being an absolute encyclopaedia of information. We saw the big 5 as well as all the small creatures. All done with respect for the animals well being and comfort. The food was exquisite. If I could give more stars I would. We will definitely be going back at some point in the future. I can’t recommend them enough. It was fantastic.
Freya D
Freya D
2022-12-04
Great safari trip at Lalibela with very special ranger Our first safari at Lalibela was incredible.Thanks to the whole Lalibela team. All of you are great and we really enjoyed our three day trip at Lalibela. Lentaba lodges were comfy and the food was good as well.Special thanks also goes to our ranger Guy. He has really great knowledge of all the animals and plants at the reserve and taught us a lot. We even booked an additional 6 km walk by foot with him. He is just the funniest and coolest dude! Thanks again Guy for this amazing experience. You are the best.
Wendy B
Wendy B
2022-12-04
Fantastic! We recently stayed at Lentaba Safari Lodge in Lalibela Game Reserve. It was fabulous! All of the staff were friendly, helpful and welcoming. The food was varied and really delicious. The game drives were fantastic; we saw lions, cheetah, elephants, giraffe, buffalo, rhino, hippo, brown hyena…it was so exciting. Our guide, Liesel, was excellent. We really appreciated her knowledge of the birds as well as the animals, which was outstanding. We wholeheartedly recommend Lentaba.
Tom
Tom
2022-12-03
Memories to last a life time We recently did 2 weeks in South Africa for our honeymoon, ending it with a three night stay at Kichaka at Lalibela.Absolutely stunning doesn't quite cut it. The lodge, our private lodge, the surroundings, the animal encounters - all incredible. But despite all of that, what stood out above all was how immense the staff and rangers were. The staff couldn't do enough for you. They were amazing and such lovely people. Right from the those serving breakfast through to the mixologist who'd make whatever you wanted. A special mention has to go to our two rangers - Ash and Nathan (it was also Nathan's first day!!) - they were absolutely brilliant. I've never been more excited to get up at 5 in the morning. It was even seeing the animals, it was the excitement of trying to find them, and the enthusiasm and knowledge they both had was incredible. Parking up the jeep to have some G&Ts in the park was just stunning.I never thought I'd be blown away by Termite mounds, but I was! We also did a couple of extras - a night drive and a walk. Both incredible and would highly recommend. The night drive in particular was a sensory overload, so exciting with an undertone of fear of hearing all sorts but without being able to see. The best part was driving into the herd of Buffalo and seeing a sea of red eyes staring at us - amazing. Oh and we saw an Aardvark - apparently the first time in 7 years the rangers had seen one - they were super excited - so naturally we were too!! Oh and don't get me started on the herd of elephants...epic.I could go on forever, but this place holds a special place in hearts. Thanks to all the staff involved, and thanks to our two amazing rangers - Ash and Nathan - we WILL be back!! Tom and Louise x
mooch
mooch
2022-11-15
Amazingly stunning experience at lalibela We recently stayed at lalibela kichaka lodge. From the moment we arrived till the day we left the staff could not do more for you. It was pure luxury. The rooms were stunning and comfortable with fab views we had our own plunge pool which was lovely to relax in after a game drive. We looked over the waterhole where Hippo spent their days. The food was also top class. The rangers were amazing making sure we saw all the animals. They were extremely knowledgeable and experienced, nothing was too much trouble. We also did a night drive which was extra and totally worth it, seeing the animals at night gave a total different perspective. We also went on a walking safari, again extra but totally worth it a real must if you go here. We have never felt so sad to leave a place it was sumptuous. The ladies in the spa gave the most relaxing massages too. I really can’t think of anything negative to say about this place other than 3 nights certainly we’re not long enough, when we return it will be for longer for sure. Do not hesitate to book this absolutely wonderful place you really will not be disappointed. We would give it 10 stars if we could.
Janchamb
Janchamb
2022-11-05
Inzola Game Lodges - a little place of paradise Inzola lodge is set in the middle of Lalibela, one of the five lodges situated on 11,000 hector game reserve. From start to finish we were made to feel incredibly welcomed and valued guests by the attentive staff team including J, Ray and their lovely team. Lodges were spectacular overlooking the reserve. The lodges are so comfortable and inviting with ours having an outside bath to enjoy on a star lit night. The food is superb - don’t think we have ever eaten so well. This was our first safari and ‘Pete’ Du Plesis was our guide which made our early morning and afternoon safaris enriched with his broad knowledge and expertise of the animals. in addition, Pete was really funny and sociable as well as informative about the habitat sharing his botany expertise.We highly recommend this experience to anyone and we would love to return in the future.
kstrup334867
kstrup334867
2022-11-04
Lalibela Game Reserve We had a fantastic trip! Lalibela was such a lovely place to stay, the staff were amazing so friendly and attentive, the food was excellent, the game drives were such fun, I would highly recommend this place.
gertvbr
gertvbr
2022-11-01
Heaven on earth My daughter and I stayed for the 3rd time in Lalibela; not without reason. We absolutely adore the reserve for its hospitality, nature and also what they do for the community. This visit did not disappoint. We stayed in Lentaba Safari Lodge (the 3rd lodge we have stayed at); a serene place with occasional elephant visitors; beautiful rooms and common areas that invite to share your experience with other visitors. Meals are enjoyed together (apart from the day we were alone on the lodge, which was a bit overwhelming but a super treat) and all of them were abundant and highest quality. The fabulous staff takes very good care of you and when there are special occassions to be celebrated or other requests made they are very considerate and make it happen. We had the privilige to be with our earlier ranger Regard again, an endless source of knowledge, ranger skills and fun that makes the hours on safari even more pleasant and memorable. Lalibela's conservation area is beautiful with lots of variety and wide views. One of the signature sightings for us here are the large groups of various antilopes and giraffes in these open areas; breathtaking all day: early morning, late afternoon close to sundown or even in heavy rains. Of course there is a lot of attention for Big 5 animals (and we love the frequent sightings of lions, rhinosaurs, elephants and buffalo's as well) but there is beauty in many more of the animals present and Regard has the skills to bring out the beauty in every animal. At the end we decided to stay an extra day, but even then felt really sorry to leave. For us this is heaven on earth (and we have been to many other good places in SA as well); but then on short driving distance from PE, which makes coming in and going back really easy. So we should be able to come back....
serena m
serena m
2022-10-27
Amazing We were a group of 8 and took over the Tree tops lodge, the staff couldn't have been more hospitable, cooked delicious food, in fact there was far too much and we cancelled lunch. Our wonderful guide Lisel, took us out for way longer on the first morning, it was initially foggy so very hard to see anything, then we heard monkeys screeching in a wood so she drove off the track, we ducked and dived to avoid branches, only to come across an exhausted cheetah, so close my zoom lens wasn't needed. our second evening we saw lions up very close, and two herds of elephants - my goodness what an experience. On our last morning while watching the hippos wallowing in the water a herd of giraffe come lolling by, and on the way home we saw 2 newly born wildebeest - we also saw rhino twice.
Dangerburg
Dangerburg
2022-05-04
A Hidden Treasure. My family and I stayed at Mark’s camp for three nights in April 2022. We have three young boys aged 1, 5 and 8. My wife and I honeymooned in Shamwari next door 15 years ago and we were keen to do a safari with our kids. Mark’s camp appeared to have a family feel which appealed to us. Undoubtedly this is the finest game reserve we have ever been on. From the moment we arrived until the moment we left we were treated with a level of service not previously experienced. Their attention to detail is unrivalled. A five star treatment is guaranteed. The rooms are top quality and easily accommodated us all. The food served is high quality with 3 meals served daily. Local produce such as Ostrich, Kudu and Eland is served daily and is quite simply delicious. I would like to note the staff at Mark’s camp as the most courteous and professional staff I have ever encountered. They simply cannot do enough for you. On each game drive we left our 1 year old in the main house with a childminder and the house staff. It was clear on our return how engaged the house team were with minding our child when we were on drives. This service was inclusive on our package and allowed us to relax in confidence on our drives. We had a morning and evening game drive each day. Our ranger “Guy” was absolutely brilliant at his job and he went above and beyond each day to accommodate my wife and I and especially our two young boys who accompanied us on each game drive. He was extremely accommodating of us and answered all of our questions on the animals, no matter how silly! We saw lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, buffaloes, hippos, cheetahs and many more animals. Each drive was an amazing experience. Guy knows his trade and was brilliant at entertaining the kids. He also spent time playing football and games at Mark’s camp each day in between game drives. I had concerns about keeping my kids engaged with the game drives given their duration and the earliness of the morning drives however on our last drive my boys were fully dressed, packed and waiting at 530am ready for action!! I credit Guy with this anticipation. My boys had an unforgettable experience made better by Guy’s enthusiasm and commitment to customer satisfaction. My boy’s Sam and Jacob are still talking about their experience and are already wondering when we are going back. The animals at Lalibela are truly amazing and to experience them up close in the natural habitat is something I cannot recommend enough. A truly memorable experience. Thank you Mark’s camp. The Hennebry family.