Note: This is article has been updated to clarify the details of the rewilding. Tourism Update apologises for any inconvenience caused. 

The Eastern Cape’s new Nyosi Wildlife Reserve – a family-friendly, protected sanctuary where city dwellers can spend the day or overnight – will officially open on December 10.

Previously known as Hopewell Conservation Estate, the 2 500-hectare reserve is evolving into a wildlife reserve that connects its urban neighbours to nature and wildlife.

Nyosi Wildlife Reserve is 24km from Kariega (Uitenhage), 14km from Bay West Mall and borders the township of Kwa Nobuhle, making it the only peri-urban wildlife reserve in the Eastern Cape, and the only reserve spread across two municipalities.

The reserve is repopulating the area with the wild animals that roamed this part of the Eastern Cape freely before they were eradicated by hunting in the 1800s.

Elephants relocated

The return of these species will restore intricate connections that create whole ecosystems. For example, the first elephants arrived at Nyosi in October 2022, and in just a few weeks there is already a spike in the presence of dung beetles that feed on elephants’ dung. These beetles help disperse critical nutrients to the soil and seeds that become new plants, according to Cameron Doyle, GM of Nyosi. 

"This small natural activity was the beginning of significant positive changes to the environment," he said., noting that the elephants were relocated from a well-known Eastern Cape game reserve, with the assistance of Adrian Gardiner, who has extensive experience relocating wildlife. 

The Community Conservation Fund Africa (CCFA) is the custodian of all conservation and community projects at Nyosi Wildlife Reserve.

Doyle said a wildlife game reserve on the doorstep of urban neighbourhoods meant more than a family-friendly outing or exciting school field trip.

“Nyosi Wildlife Reserve has five different habitats of unique grasses, plants, and insects. It is also home to key species, such as bees and elephants, which help stabilise the environment. While Nelson Mandela Bay and the Eastern Cape face drought and other environmental damage, the movement of crucial wildlife closer to the city will enhance conservation in the area.”

The Issroff family have owned the Hopewell Conservation Estate for generations and over the past year, worked with Gardiner and CCFA,  rewild the estate and turn it into a reserve. The journey has begun with changing the name Hopewell to Nyosi Wildlife Reserve.

Permits granted to rewild

With the co-operation of Nyosi’s neighbours and the Conservation and Wildlife authorities, permits have been granted to introduce, elephant, rhino, buffalo and cheetahs. There is a further plan to introduce lion to the reserve. 

General game, including antelope, giraffe and zebra are already roaming on the reserve. 

“The environment keeps winning in this story, and so do the urban communities surrounding Nyosi, such as Kwa Nobuhle, where Nyosi Wildlife Reserve has dedicated resources to empower locals through training, conservation, and entrepreneurship development,” said Doyle.

Nyosi offers accommodation in four glamping tents that sleep two people each, along with villas - which were part of the original Hopewell Estate - for up to 10 guests.

Facilities include a swimming pool, a day centre with a lounge, a deli and a restaurant.