Lapalala Wilderness

31/05/2026

Pangolin: Kulu's Journey has won an Emmys / Television Academy for Outstanding Music Composition!

Through Netflix’s Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey, the world has become aware, and fallen in love with a species that most people had never even seen or heard of. Each accolade the film earns keeps pangolins at the forefront of conservation conversations; helping to raise awareness and to protect pangolins.

Thank you to everyone involved in bringing this story to life, and massive congratulations to composer Anne Nikitin, the team behind the music: Zolani Mahola, Sky Dladla and everyone in the music department that contributed.

To listen to the music, click here: https://open.spotify.com/album/6I7yo7NTdA7o8rW5QfivNI?si=n_aPjSV6SxyugVhVSfuHBw&nd=1&dlsi=966ead003eea43a7

Lapalala Wilderness Pangolin Crisis Fund Sea Change Project

28/05/2026

WE ARE HIRING!

Roads Team Leader 🌱

Email your CV to : [email protected]

Closing date: 12 June 2026

25/05/2026

Africa Day 🌍!!

Today, we celebrate the vibrant spirit, diverse cultures, and breathtaking natural heritage of our beautiful continent. Nestled within South Africa’s Waterberg Biosphere, Lapalala is proud to safeguard a piece of Africa’s wild soul—protecting 48,000 hectares of pristine landscapes,rivers, and iconic wildlife. Africa’s true wealth lies in its rich biodiversity and the deep connection between our land and its people. Through our conservation efforts and community education, we commit to preserving this irreplaceable African legacy for generations to come.

Let’s honor our roots, protect our wild spaces, and unite for a sustainable future.

22/05/2026

Happy International Day for Biological Diversity! 🌍

At Lapalala Wilderness, biodiversity is our lifeline. Across 48,000 hectares of pristine Waterberg landscape, we play our role in protecting the intricate ecosystems that will ensure that our planet remains resilient. As a safe haven for endangered wildlife like rhino, roan antelope and pangolin Lapalala Wilderness continues to protect the unique Waterberg landscape and it plantlife.
Through the Lapalala Wilderness School, we also empower the next generation of conservation minded citizens to defend these precious resources. Every species plays a part, and when we protect biodiversity, we protect our collective future.

How are you celebrating nature today? 🌿

21/05/2026

In just three weeks, we’ll be welcoming our very first Protected Area Technician Scholarship cohort into the field 🚙

Over the past few months, our team has been working behind the scenes to prepare an immersive, hands-on training program designed to equip participants with practical operational technology skills for protected areas.

From networking and power systems to radio communications, wildlife tracking, EarthRanger, data visualisation and real-world field operations, this program brings together conservation practitioners, technology partners, and industry experts to create a truly unique learning experience.

Preparation has included:

• Procuring, building and testing end-to-end trainer kits
• Configuring field equipment and hardware
• Designing practical exercises and operational scenarios
• Coordinating trainers, partners and logistics
• And of course, preparing the accommodation and incredible field sites at Lapalala Wilderness, where the cohort will be based

We’re especially looking forward to seeing participants put their online learning into practice and experience conservation technology in action in the field.

🙌 A huge thank you to the incredible team helping make this training possible. We’re so grateful to those designing this best-in-class approach:

Jordi van Oort and Swabir Seif Abdulrehman, who have co-designed this first-of-its-kind in-field practical course, contributing extensively to its design, training materials and scenario planning.

Geoff Clinning supported equipment procurement and has helped develop specific course content, ensuring the program is both practical and well-resourced.

Amy Laura Hoad, who will be mentoring and providing on-the-ground training support.

Carien Soldatos, our dedicated Project Manager and the magical glue leading the in-field programme and making this a success!

Thank you for your expertise, dedication, and commitment. We are excited to launch this unique program with our partners and ensure a successful experience for our first cohort.

19/05/2026

Follow us on our Instagram 🐾

3,470 Followers, 163 Following, 411 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Lapalala Wilderness ()

19/05/2026

A Rare Glimpse into a honey badger hunting!

One of our camera traps recently captured an extraordinary scene — a fearless honey badger actively hunting a porcupine inside its burrow.

Honey badgers are renowned for their determination, intelligence, and toughness, but witnessing one taking on a porcupine is something very few people ever get to see. Armed with sharp quills and a formidable defense, porcupines are not easy prey, making this footage a remarkable example of the honey badger’s persistence and hunting skill.

What makes this sighting even more special is the location of the camera. It was placed to monitor an active spotted hyena den, where we hoped to record the daily lives of one of Africa’s most fascinating predators. Instead, the camera revealed a completely different drama unfolding in brought daylight.

These unexpected moments are what make camera trapping such a powerful conservation tool. While designed to monitor specific species, the cameras often uncover hidden behaviours and rare interactions that would otherwise go unseen.

At Lapalala Wilderness, every camera trap offers a window into the secret lives of the animals that call this landscape home — and sometimes nature delivers something truly unforgettable.
From the powerful jaws of a honey badger to the hidden world at a hyena den, the wild is always full of surprises.

15/05/2026

Endangered Species Day 🐾

This Endangered Species Day, we are highlighting the science of biodiversity within our 48,000-hectare Waterberg sanctuary. Extinction rates are currently 1,000 times higher than natural levels due to human pressures, making protected biomes more critical than ever.

Here is how our active conservation projects are turning data into survival:

▪️Rhino Security: Protecting genetic strongholds of Black and White rhinos through advanced anti-poaching and tracking.

▪️Pangolin Rehabilitation: Operating a specialized Pangolarium to rescue, rehabilitate, and rewild the world’s most trafficked mammal.

▪️Wild Dog Range Expansion: Partnering with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) to combat habitat fragmentation and secure vast territories for free-roaming packs.

Genetic Diversity: Managing breeding programmes for rare antelope like roan and sable to prevent local population bottlenecks.

Every species plays a keystone role. Lose one, and the entire ecosystem risks collapse. Through the Lapalala Wilderness School, we teach this ecological science to the next generation, turning local youth into tomorrow’s researchers and rangers.

SouthAfricaWildlife

13/05/2026

Be Part of Real Conservation at Lapalala Wilderness

At Lapalala Wilderness, conservation is not just something we talk about — it’s something we do every day. Our volunteer programme offers a unique opportunity to be part of a working reserve where wildlife protection, research, and environmental education are at the core of everything we do.

As a volunteer, you’ll gain hands-on exposure to the realities of conservation. From monitoring predators and rhinos, to supporting ongoing research projects, learning about anti-poaching efforts, and engaging with the Lapalala Wilderness School, your time here contributes to something meaningful and long-term.

This is not a typical wildlife experience. It’s about understanding ecosystems, supporting conservation teams, and experiencing the bush in a way that is honest, immersive, and purposeful. Some days are fast-paced, others are quiet — but every day is real.

What makes Lapalala different:

▪️ A strong focus on ethical conservation and wildlife management

▪️ A balance of research, education, and field-based experience

▪️ Opportunities to learn directly from experienced conservation staff

▪️ Being part of a reserve that is shaping future conservation leaders

Whether you are building a career in conservation or simply want to deepen your understanding of the natural world, this is a chance to connect with something bigger than yourself.

To learn more about joining the programme visit www.lapalala.com or email [email protected]