|
|
The
People
Will and Sharon
From an early age growing up in a small coastal village
on the Kwa-Zulu Natal South Coast, Will and Sharon van Duyn developed an
affinity for nature and the outdoors.
Will spent much time with his grandfather in the reserves and open veld
of Africa, and his dream of being a ranger and working with wildlife
started.
After Sharon completed her Food and Clothing Technical Studies, they
travelled to the Kruger National Park, and there began their combined
passion of the African bush and wildlife, commitment to conservation and
the preservation of the land for future generations.
For 3 years they managed a coastal resort, and were involved in coastal
and marine conservation. Both studied Nature Conservation during this
time.
In 1992 the 'pull’ of the bush was too great, and they moved to Thornybush Game Reserve, where they built and owner-ran Chapungu Game
Lodge. This small, intimate lodge became well known, with guests
returning time and time again.
During this period was also the beginning of one of their greatest loves
and passions, the privilege of rehabilitating cheetah and the successful
release of them back into the wild.
In 1997 and 2000, their two beautiful daughters were born – Rebecca and
Rachel.
After 9 happy and exciting years, Will and Sharon sold Chapungu lodge to
take on new challenges in the conservation field. After extensive travel
around South Africa they arrived at Amakhala Game Reserve in the Eastern
Cape, and found that there was land adjoining it. They saw the great
potential of this magnificent area, and for breeding and release of big
game. Bushmans River Private Game Reserve was formed by them, and Will was
instrumental in combining the two reserves
(6 000ha), and the release of
big game (rhino and elephant) onto the reserve.
They bought a breeding herd of disease-free Cape buffalo, which have
just been released onto the reserve.
Never forgetting their love of cheetah, in 2002 they brought in cheetah
and have successfully released them onto the reserve. Will continues his
hands-on work in the management of the reserve, and is in the process of
releasing serval onto the reserve, with more cheetahs on the way.
The lodge and tourism market was never far from Sharon’s heart, and in
August 2003 they started the building and developing of Hlosi Game Lodge
(means Cheetah in the Xhosa language).
|
