The seeds of the Timbavati Supplier Development Program (TSDP) were planted in the wake of a ground-breaking 2018 cooperative agreement between the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South African National Parks and Kruger National Park.
This agreement challenged private reserves in the Greater Kruger area to enhance community involvement and meet long-term transformation goals. One key insight emerged: the health of surrounding communities directly impacts the sustainability of protected areas.
As the Timbavati team recognised, a protected area’s long-term survival is “weakened by having poor communities on our boundaries” whereas “the wealthier a community, the more likely will be the survival of that protected area”. In other words, helping local people thrive isn’t just good ethics – it’s essential for conservation.
Inspired by this realisation, Timbavati management and its commercial lodge partners set out to turn principle into practice. They envisioned linking local businesses to the reserve’s tourism economy in a way that benefits everyone. A responsible tourism toolkit (developed by Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa) provided guidance and soon an ambitious idea took shape: launch a pilot project to build a hyper-local supply chain.
In late 2020, the Timbavati reserve proceeded with the rollout of a trial initiative that would “develop and test a supply chain model that could then be scaled to the rest of the Greater Kruger”. This pilot laid the foundation for what became the TSDP – a programme designed to uplift community enterprises by integrating them into the Timbavati’s safari lodge and reserve management supplier network.
The vision from the start was clear and bold: prove it works here then expand the model across the region.
Lodges and foundation: A collaborative effort
From day one, the Timbavati Foundation, Timbavati reserve management and the reserve’s lodges have worked hand in hand to bring the TSDP to life. The Timbavati Foundation – the reserve’s community and conservation arm – spearheads the programme in partnership with enterprise development experts at Indalo Inclusive South Africa. Indalo Inclusive helped design and mentor the programme from incubator stage through to growth phase (known as “Indalo Grow”) while the foundation provides local knowledge, coordination and a passion for uplifting its neighbours. This collaborative approach reflects a shared belief that empowering local entrepreneurs is a “long-term social investment” that will foster sustainability for people and wildlife.
Crucially, the Timbavati lodges themselves are not just cheerleaders but active participants in the TSDP. A “coalition of the willing” formed among lodge owners and managers to support the pilot. They committed to give these up-and-coming suppliers a real market by purchasing their products and providing feedback.
In fact, a highlight of Timbavati’s 2024 annual general meeting was the presentation of the TSDP’s progress to all members and lodges, followed by a showcase where the eight TSDP entrepreneurs pitched their businesses and displayed their goods. Lodges such as Tanda Tula, Kings Camp and Umlani Bush Camp were early adopters by placing the first orders from TSDP suppliers – acting as catalysts for change and encouraging others to come on board.
Meet the TSDP’s local suppliers
After a rigorous selection and pitching process, eight local enterprises were chosen as the inaugural cohort of TSDP suppliers. These businesses hail from neighbouring communities and represent a wonderful variety of goods and services needed in the reserve.
For example, Khethile Progressive Farms, a small-scale poultry farm, is now supplying fresh eggs to Timbavati lodges – a big win for the business and the lodges that get farm-to-table produce. In the fresh produce space, Benica Fruits & Veggies aggregates fruits and vegetables from local growers and delivers them in bulk while EATtFresh Aquaponics cultivates leafy greens and herbs through innovative climate-smart aquaponic farming. The result? Lodge kitchens gain a reliable source of high-quality, locally grown ingredients and these agri-preneurs gain steady clients. It’s a symbiotic relationship in action.
Other TSDP enterprises are adding their own unique flavours to the mix. Kulani Collective, a craft cooperative founded by local artisans, has introduced beautiful woven baskets, textiles and pottery into the lodge curio shops and decor. Likewise, the Munene Art Gallery, a community-based art and craft shop, now provides handmade curios and artwork, allowing safari guests to take home an authentic piece of the local culture. In the textiles sector, CLM Textiles, a well-developed sewing and uniform business is beginning to supply custom linens and staff uniforms, tailoring their products to lodge needs.
But it’s not just about food and curios – Shodulla Construction is a local community-based recycling provider and its services include recycling waste collection from the lodges and the Timbavati headquarters. As one of the inaugural participants in the TSDP, Shodulla not only supports the programme’s commitment to integrating local businesses into the conservation economy but also enhances environmental sustainability within the reserve.
Growing the impact: Vision for the future
The Timbavati Supplier Development Program is powered by an expansive, forward-looking vision. From the outset, the goal was not to stop at one reserve or a handful of businesses. The pilot in Timbavati is meant to be a blueprint – one that can be extended across the Greater Kruger and even to other protected areas in South Africa. As the project continues to demonstrate success, the plan is to welcome more lodges into the fold and mentor additional local suppliers, scaling up the network of community enterprises linked to the wildlife economy.
The ultimate vision is a win-win scenario that was almost unheard of a few years ago: a thriving nature reserve whose success is shared with a thriving local economy. By unlocking opportunities, the TSDP is creating a model where conservation supports community development and vice versa. If more reserves adopt this approach, the Greater Kruger could become a showcase of truly inclusive, sustainable tourism – a model “the rest of the world could learn from”.
With the continued dedication of the Timbavati Foundation, the enthusiasm of the lodges and the hard work of local entrepreneurs, the TSDP’s story is well underway. And if the early successes are any indication, this collaborative venture is on course to achieve something truly remarkable: a future where the success of conservation is measured not only in hectares protected or animals saved but also in the prosperity and pride of the communities who call this wild corner of Africa home.
