Not Alone: A Diabetes Camp at Koru Camp
Roughly one in ten South Africans are thought to live with diabetes, the second leading cause of death in the country. Due to a lack of information, limited access to basic medical equipment, and gaps in patient care, millions are navigating this life-long condition in isolation and uncertainly. It is a disease that, with the right support, should be manageable. And yet, for many, that support remains out of reach.
Bringing lessons to life with an unforgettable lion sighting!
The sun had barely risen above the horizon as guide Koki and ten excited primary school learners sat silently on a hill. Listening.
Big Hearts, Big Voices – Rhino Art returns to Hoedspruit
The room fell quiet faster than anyone expected.
Thirty-six children sat bent over their papers, colouring furiously, heads tilted in concentration, determined to use the next hour well. Pens and pencils moved frantically, hands darting between the colours. Occasionally someone paused, thinking carefully about the words they wanted to write.
Floods, fun, and fears – a fresh start for Koru Camp!
After a restful December break, our team was ready to jump straight back into camp life. But January had other plans. Some of the heaviest rainfall in more than 25 years swept across the Lowveld, bringing widespread flooding and cutting off access roads. While camp itself escaped serious damage, getting there became impossible. With the gates closed, it was time to do what South Africans do best: make a plan.
Koru Camp Year in Review: A Year of Growth, Partnership, and Impact
What a year it has been! As we look back on the last 12 months, this has undoubtedly been the biggest year yet for Koru Camp – moving into our brand-new camp, developing new programmes and partnerships, mentoring three new interns, and welcoming over one thousand beneficiaries through our gates. Every moment of joy, every heart filled with gratitude, and every mountain climbed has been a testament not only to our incredible staff, but also to our partners, volunteers, and donors who have supported us along the way.
Into the Wilderness: A Journey That Transformed Young Conservationists
In September, something extraordinary happened. Six young conservationists from our partner organisations – Timbavati Foundation and Global Conservation Corps – were invited by Koru Camp to pack everything they needed onto their backs, tighten their backpack straps, and step into the wilderness for a 4-day primitive trail.
Girls in the wild: Empowering the next generation
“OWN YOUR POWER!”
The warrior cry of 13 girls echoed through the night, from the top of the viewpoint down to the Olifants River below. The group immediately broke into giggles as they made their way back onto the game viewer, but I still had shivers down my spine from hearing the power in their voices. Koru’s very first girls’ empowerment camp had officially begun.
Unlocking the stories of the wild with the San Master Trackers
Walking in single file from camp in the cool early morning, the air carried a quiet sense of expectation. But before we had even left sight of the fence, the group came to a sudden halt. The three figures leading us – the long-awaited San Master Trackers §Oma Daqm, /Uce N§amce and translator Steve Kunta – were already huddled over something in the dust. This was the first in a series of special tracking camps hosted at Koru, and our guests from the Timbavati Foundation – educators, guides, and staff – were about to discover just how much could be hidden in plain sight.
The Elephant That Changed Everything
It was mid-afternoon, and the warm winter sun lay gently over the bush as we spotted elephants ahead on the road. Pausing first to judge their temperaments, our Guide Intern, Humphrey, slowly crept forward in the game viewer. Unbothered, the elephants continued feeding greedily on the few leaves still clinging to the branches. Buoyed by this, Humphrey inched forward again, eventually drawing alongside a large bull, his head buried deep in a bush just 15 metres away.
Koru Camp Grand Opening: A Day to Remember
As the convoy of vehicles wound their way through the bushveld, a trail of dust swept up in their wake, glistening in the sun as it bathed the bush in gold. The landscape brimmed with warmth and colour, like nature itself was rejoicing. Against the backdrop of a brilliant blue sky, rhythmic drumming echoed through the air, welcoming more than 100 guests to a long-awaited celebration. Supporters, partner NGOs, and conservation leaders had all gathered to mark a pivotal moment: the grand opening of the newly renovated Koru Camp.