Our Community
Sentinel Limpopo Eco Safaris and the broader community
Since 2003, Sentinel has had a formal relationship with the neighbouring wards of Maramani, Machatuta and Masera through the CAMPFIRE programme (Communal Area Management Programme for Indigenous Resources).
The programme was designed to benefit local communities through the tightly controlled sale of wildlife products, which in turn gives value to these resources and incentivises local conservation and protection efforts.
Sentinel Limpopo Eco Safaris also engages with local traditional leadership to assess and meet the needs in their communities, such as school development and building projects, solar water projects, gardening projects, and orphan support.
Community visits
The Bristows have had a very long and happy association with the people of the vast Maramani Communal Area that lies to the west of Sentinel Ranch. They are warm and hospitable, and very proud to share their rich culture and traditions with visitors.
It is a memorable experience driving through the sparse Maramani region as villagers go about their daily lives. There are relaxed local beer halls to visit, lively villages where brooms and colourful mats are expertly weaved, and a chance to see the fascinating process of Malala palm wine production.
At specific times of the year, you can experience a traditional rain-making ceremony, or even better, the “coming-out ceremony” of a newly qualified nganga. But these are rare, jaw-dropping, day-long extravaganzas which may or may not coincide with your visit.
At any time of year, we can arrange community visits and can advise on upcoming ceremonies when you make your booking. We speak the local language, TshiVenda, fluently, are happy to act as translators, and have a wealth of knowledge about local and wild foods, customs, belief systems and cultural events – all the things that make for a fascinating day out from Sentinel Ranch.
Rangelands Regeneration
The strong community relationships we have built have been further enhanced by the introduction of Rangelands Regeneration – an exciting, home-grown initiative, with community support from grassroots up to Ministry level.
The project aims to create an Integrated Management Area (encompassing Sentinel Ranch and Nottingham Estate to the east), whereby land use, conservation and grazing can be managed effectively side-by-side for positive environmental results. Its aim is to work with the local communities to overcome poverty, land degradation and loss of biodiversity, to address the lack of markets and the consequential inability to adapt to climate change.
Rangelands Regeneration’s vision is to empower the surrounding communities to develop a working herding model in association with the Peace Parks Foundation. The model will promote sustainable grazing practices with the aim of resuscitating degraded, overgrazed areas. The ultimate goal is to increase carbon sequestration and water absorption, and to create an environment where wildlife and cattle can co-exist, without damaging the region’s very valuable natural resources, wildlife and tourism potential. The model allows for carbon credits and is an attractive stimulus to the area through donor funding, conservation initiatives and positive farming practices.
Sentinel Limpopo Eco Safaris 