Kukummi Lodge

Our Lodge is nestled within its own 22-hectare estate, which forms part of the 220-hectare Rood Nature Reserve. Established in 2021, this reserve was designed to extend the flora and fauna of the adjacent Maloti Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, creating a critical buffer zone to protect the park’s biodiversity.

The Reserve aims to maintain the biodiversity and ecosystem of the mountain grassland landscape. It contributes significantly to the ecological integrity of the neighbouring World Heritage Site, ensuring conservation land use for the owners in perpetuity. Since its inception, participants have committed to rewilding the Reserve, combating invasive species, and promoting the growth of indigenous flora and fauna.

Key values of the Reserve include:

1. Protection of the exceptional diversity of species and habitats, including montane grasslands, indigenous forests, natural wetlands, and rivers.
2. Safeguarding the ecosystem critical to water production in Southern Africa and connecting similar habitats in the park and downstream.
3. Preserving the eco-cultural value of the area, known for its scenic beauty and high topographical variation.
4. Protecting archaeological and paleontological artifacts, including San/Bushman cave paintings.
5. Promoting the scientific, research, and educational value of the area, engaging people of all ages and education levels.
6. Providing opportunities for local communities to participate in the conservation management of the area.

We invite you, our guests, to participate in this vision as responsible visitors. Ask us about the flora and fauna, request a complimentary tour of the reserve’s conservation activities, and, if you wish, help us in our ongoing efforts to conserve, identify, and catalogue the unique biodiversity of our reserve.