A LODGE WITH A PURPOSE
At Savanna Lodge, luxury is not only about what we offer our guests - it's about what we give back. This land has given us so much: the wildlife that inspires awe, the communities that share their culture, and the natural beauty that surrounds us every day. We believe it's our responsibility to protect and nurture it in return. When you choose Savanna, you become part of this story - helping to safeguard wildlife, empower communities, and preserve the magic of the Sabi Sand for generations to come.
Savanna is supporting Tiyimiseleni, a home-based care centre in the nearby village of Mabarhule, to provide daily care and support for 300 orphans and vulnerable children (aged 2-18 years) affected by HIV and AIDS. Every day, the 15 women who run the centre prepare a nutritious meal, provide homework help and HIV education and facilitate recreational activities for all of the children who come to Tiyimiseleni after school. The women who are trained as health caregivers also visit the homes of each of the children to be sure they are safe, healthy and have an adequate food supply. As needed, the women deliver food parcels to the homes, purchase school uniforms for the children to be able to go to school and take them to the local health clinic.
With the support of many of Savanna's guests, we have been able to build a multi-functional hall at the centre, so the children can have their daily meal and the staff can cook in a clean environment. Savanna is currently supporting the operating costs for Tiyimiseleni, and we are committed to working with the local team to improve its sustainability by investing in their income-generating initiatives, including an on-site garden, as well as beadwork and sewing projects.
Savanna supports the Mabarhule Youth in Action Choir. Not only is this an employment opportunity for the youth choir members, but it also provides them with a constructive way to avoid the drug and alcohol abuse that is all too common amongst their peers. We have supported the choir in building a youth centre in Mabarhule to keep these youth off the streets and encourage various income-generating activities.
Khumba Ncila means 'Touching Tales' in Shangaan. This initiative helps the neighboring community and their animals by providing support, education, and care for livestock and pets, as well as aiding homeless animals in need.
Our work with pets and livestock is divided into three parts: dipping and home visits, veterinary care and sterilization days, and puppy classes with an educational focus. The goal is to address animal welfare issues through education on proper animal care, improving the quality of life for these animals.
We provide vet care for vaccinations, sterilizations, and treatment of health issues such as injuries, septic wounds, mange, and tick infestations/diseases. We hope for this initiative to continue across all neighboring villages of the Sabi Sand, aiming to prevent homeless dogs and cats from entering the Sabi Sand and needing to be destroyed in the long term.
Sick and elderly residents in the surrounding communities are also often left neglected and extremely vulnerable. Nyiko Mokoena, a professionally-trained young nurse in the village of Huntington, is committed to improving the lives of these elderly people and, in his words, “restore hope to the hopeless.”
In 2015, the Savanna Trust partnered with Nyiko and his team to build the first permanent nursing home in the area, fully equipped with water and electricity. We have worked together to approach the Department for Social Development, in order to gain support from the government for the running costs of the project. The Hlayisekani Nursing Home is now able to provide 24/7 care to all elderly residents living at the centre, with caregiver staff and a professional nurse on site at all times.
Given the success of the project and thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have recently completed a building extension project so that all 70 residents who call the centre home have adequate space and amenities to live in dignity. The Savanna Trust is proud to continue supporting Nyiko and his team to develop Hlayisekani as a centre of excellence for elderly care in Huntington.
Our non-profit arm, the Savanna Trust, channels all donations directly to the community and conservation projects that need them most. Guests are welcome to visit these projects during their stay to see first-hand the impact of their support.
We actively support the protection of rhino and other endangered wildlife through anti-poaching patrols, community awareness programmes, and funding for field operations.
We actively support the protection of rhino and other endangered wildlife through anti-poaching patrols, community awareness programmes, and funding for field operations.
Savanna helps maintain waterholes, manage erosion, and restore natural habitats, ensuring the biodiversity of the Sabi Sand remains intact.
Through partnerships with conservation organisations, we contribute to research on species behaviour, population health, and long-term environmental sustainability.