While tigers aren’t native to Africa, it doesn’t mean they can’t thrive in African habitats. At Tiger Canyon Private Game Reserve in South Africa, a careful animal conservation effort is underway to protect this endangered big cat species. EL’s LARA SAGE finds out more about the animal sanctuary, how this initiative helps to save tigers across the world and what you can expect if you add this stop to a South Africa holiday.
Introducing Tiger Canyon
Located in the Free State province of South Africa – in “the middle of nowhere” (with a population density of just one person per ten square kilometres!) – Tiger Canyon is a surprising initiative that gives sanctuary and a genuinely wild existence to this majestic, endangered species.
Brought to fruition over a decade ago by a self proclaimed maverick conservationist, it began with two captive-born tigers who were relocated to the reserve from Canada. Today, thanks to the sound governance of its passionate owners, as many as 20 tigers flourish here, while fending for themselves in a wild environment. The recent arrival of third-generation, wild-born cubs in the reserve gives credence to this ambitious project.
Admittedly, I went with some trepidation. Did this concept go against my ingrained animal conservation beliefs? My concerns were allayed when I saw the vast rewilded areas where the tigers can freely roam. They hunt for their food, they mate and they breed, preserving their endangered gene pool. And they deal with the natural pitfalls of living free: snakes and ticks, and the aggression of other territorial males to name but a few.
An ideal environment for an animal sanctuary
Despite these challenges, it’s astounding how befitting this terrain is as a tiger habitat. The tall, verdant green reeds of the waterways are thick and jungle-like. The turn of seasonal grasses brings out orange-lipped blades and other varieties that shine golden in the sunset. The tiger’s appearance echoes these colours, along with the terracotta sand and the boulders of the canyon. These boulders sit stacked by nature like spiritual cairns. They entice the predatory cats to gracefully recline on them, surveying their expansive territory.
The rare white tiger in the group looks like she’s adapted for this particular landscape of brittle, blanched grasses that dry out in the height of summer. White tigers have a recessive gene, not to be mistaken with albinism. Her stripes are sublime, cappuccino-like, almost taupe! This mother recently birthed orange cubs.
Conserving these animals is understandably a costly exercise from various perspectives, but it’s most obviously visible in the electrified perimeter fence line that surrounds the expansive property. Containing tigers is a well-accomplished feat here, achieved via this formidable boundary line that is constantly monitored. Because tigers are territorial, different areas are partitioned within the reserve. The taller-than-usual game fence around the lodge is a reassuring and electrified necessity.
Tigers have insatiable appetites. Requiring nearly 40kg of meat every few days, they consume the equivalent of an antelope every second or third day. This natural demand for food is more than satisfied in these reserves – wildlife abounds here, freely reproducing and grazing.
A chance encounter
Tigers are solitary – they don’t live as a pride. But they do occasionally meet, as we inadvertently witnessed when a family group took a drink at a waterway.
While all of the current tigers at Tiger Canyon were born wild, the father of these recently born cubs was hand-reared. He was introduced into the wild many years ago. Today, he’s a fully independent, mighty adult male who has successfully sired this litter naturally. We watched as he lay beside his cubs for a while before scent-marking our vehicle to assert his dominance. He could no doubt smell the tigers of the neighbouring territory on our wheels. Tigers, like many predators, will kill another’s offspring to preserve their own lineage.
We marvelled at all of this from the safe enclosure of a Land Cruiser, whose tenacity was put to the test in this incredible landscape of flat plains and undulating valleys! We followed tracks and roads, tirelessly searching for the resident tigers in various portions of the massive reserve. These creatures live wild and free. Our search, therefore, was in true safari style, despite the controlled nature of the reserve that is their home.
Rewarding sights
The tigers are used to game-viewing vehicles now, which makes them ideal photographic subjects. When we approached, they would often continue their territorial patrol with us traversing beside. The ones at rest would even sleep on unperturbed by the hum of the nearby engine. All we saw was the occasional twitch on account of a buzzing insect.
But don’t be beguiled by the placid nature of a sleeping tiger. Their sheer size is awe-inspiring. They also have detailed markings so enticingly beautiful that we couldn’t get enough of looking at them. It was much more rewarding than a fleeting sighting of a tiger crossing a road or a tail disappearing into the jungle.
Final word on this South Africa holiday experience
A large segment of this property extends so far to the south that it borders on the gigantic VanderKloof Dam, which holds over three million cubic metres. The dam spreads through a ravine and valley, with scalloped coves and caves and a meandering landscape of protruding escarpments and mountains. Very few sundowner spots can match this one!
The Lodge at Tiger Canyon is perched on the precipice of this spectacular chasm. It’s an intimate three-bedroom setup so far from anywhere that there isn’t an inkling of lights or noise other than stars and birdsong.
You visit this incredible place with the privilege of taking a peek into a unique project to save tigers. It was an honour to see these creatures whose survival is so vulnerable, despite their mighty stature and strength. I was initially sceptical about the notion of a non-native animal conservation project in Africa. However, I came away feeling a sense of real achievement in the work being done here. Perhaps the greatest threat to the conservation of our planet is in believing someone else will do something.
Find more information about the efforts to save tigers and book this animal sanctuary experience directly via tigercanyon.com. You can also email lara.sage@expatliving.sg for advice on getting there.
This article about exploring animal conservation to save tigers on a South Africa holiday first appeared in the March 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
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