From the iconic Big 5, the elusive wild dog, to the magnificent Southern Ground Hornbill, Kruger is a sanctuary of extraordinary biodiversity. It is home to over 500 bird species, 147 mammal species, and 118 reptile species. It’s a treasure trove waiting to be explored, filled with magical moments and unexpected adventures. 

For us South Africans, Kruger feels like a second home, a place woven into our childhood and family traditions. Visits to the Park are a rite of passage: Big 5 game drives, crisp early morning coffees, and sharing stories around the open fire.

For international travellers, Kruger is a bucket list destination. People from across the globe are captivated by its serenity and beauty. 

But behind the beauty lies a reality that cannot be ignored.

  • Rhino populations have declined by 96% over the past 50 years. Going from 500,000 to just 20,000. Devastatingly, more than one rhino is killed every single day in South Africa (Savetherhino.org).
  • Elephants, once totalling 10 million, have dropped to just 350,000 over a decade. An estimated 20,000 are killed by poachers each year in South Africa (WWF). 
  • Lion numbers have plummeted from 450,000 to just 20,000 over a decade. 
  • Pangolins are now the most trafficked mammal on Earth. Around 2.7 million are poached each year. That is more than 7,000 a day (WWF). 

According to the United Nations, wildlife trafficking is one of the largest illegal trades in the world, valued at over $20 billion annually, fuelling global crime networks.

Rangers face a different threat every single day. They commit their lives to walking kilometres on foot through land filled with predators, poachers and unknown threats of the wild. They don’t do this for recognition. They are driven by a purpose to protect the wildlife that can’t protect itself. Because someone has to stand between a rifle and a rhino, someone has to say, this is worth fighting for.

Mdluli Safari Lodge is built on three interlinked pillars: community partnership and upliftment, conservation impact and environmental sustainability.  As a sustainable tourism initiative, we are redefining luxury tourism through initiatives that uplift and protect this precious land. 

The never-ending battle

Mdluli Conservation and Anti-Poaching NPC (MC&AP) was founded in 2021 by Mdluli Safari Lodge. This non-profit company is a 24/7 active initiative, in partnership with SANParks Honorary Rangers, SANParks Environmental Monitors, and Noctuam Training Academy, that patrols 1,800 hectares of the Mdluli Reserve, located inside the Kruger National Park. 

Since its inception, the MC&AP has: 

  • Removed more than 2,800 snares
  • Removed over 150 alien plant species
  • Trained more than 40 rangers
  • Supported the arrest of 4 suspected poachers
  • Launched ongoing awareness and education campaigns for youth and community members

This work is both dangerous and selfless, but it is critical.

Our newly launched K9 Camp

On 22 April 2025, we officially opened the Mdluli K9 Camp, a significant milestone for the MC&AP. The camp is a dedicated facility built for specialised K9 units and their handlers, operated by Genesis K9 Group. The K9s are highly specialised and trained to follow scent trails, pick up hidden contraband, and intercept illegal activity with enhanced perimeter patrols, quicker response times, and greater safety for the rangers who serve alongside them.

The K9 Camp was brought to life through generous sponsorship and support from a powerful network of local and international partners, unified by a shared commitment to protecting Kruger’s wildlife.

We extend our deepest thanks to all our partners: Mdluli Safari Lodge, Il Diamante, Davide Bomben, Café Rider, SoSimple Solar, Gest In, Fondazione LAC and Beauval Nature.

All this would not be possible without the support of SANParks, SANParks Honorary Rangers, and Genesis K9, whose ongoing operational support ensures the success of the K9 unit on the ground.

What would Kruger be without its wildlife? 

Imagine a world without rhinos, elephants, pangolins and other endangered species. How do you explain this world to future generations? They should experience the magnificence of these animals, not read about them. 


Conservation efforts cannot wait. The biggest threat our wildlife faces is the belief that someone else will save them. The fight is relentless and ongoing. Every ounce of collective support helps us ensure that the Big 5 never becomes the Big 0.

We need to act now – and we need to act together.

How you can help:

Your support helps fund ranger patrols, equipment, training, veterinary care, alien species removal, and community awareness programmes.

To contribute to the MC&AP, reach out to us at antipoaching@mdlulisafarilodge.co.za, or you can add any donation amount to your bill on checkout on your next visit to the lodge.

Siyabonga, we deeply thank you for your ongoing support.