ÛriXam, Sanbona Big Five Wildlife Reserve, Barrydale, Klein Karoo

An unusual opportunity has arisen to invest in a share of ÛriXam, a private lodge at the malaria-free Sanbona Wildlife Reserve near Barrydale in the heart of the Klein Karoo or Little Karoo. There are four weeks per share, and the share for sale has two consecutive weeks in December.

‘Sanbona is not like a typical private game farm. We have space and solitude, but we can also tap into the knowledge and sightings of the reserve’s game rangers and a full wildlife team, who are out there monitoring and tracking game every day. Every shareholder is linked to the radio network and, as owners, we are required to learn about processes of game viewing, including sighting protocols and line-ups. We tap into the entire network and, as a result, it’s an inclusive game and conservation experience.’

Compared to a commercial lodge, Sanbona offers exceptional value for eight people over four weeks in a reserve where you don’t have to worry about a thing. ‘We simply arrive with our food, drinks and clothes and everything else is prepared for us,’ says the owner.  ‘All maintenance, logistics and housekeeping is ongoing, so it’s completely hassle-free. An 11-seater Land Cruiser, regularly maintained by the team, is ready for us to go straight out on drives as soon as we arrive from Cape Town. We have full traversing rights over 58 000 hectares – a rare privilege today.’

So why invest in one of South Africa’s largest privately owned game reserves set in the ancient landscape called the Karoo? ‘I have a deep love for the Karoo because it varies so much from day to day. It can be a harsh, rough environment, but it is just beautiful. With two rich biodiversity hot spots, Sanbona has a Fynbos and Renosterveld concession south of the Warmwaterberg mountain range and a Succulent Karoo concession in the northern region. The North is favoured by the big cats and there is a plan in the pipeline to remove the fence between the two to create one wildlife reserve.

It’s especially dramatic when thunderstorms come through here. So peaceful. In fact, if anything, it’s an investment in your soul.’ In today’s world, investing in your health and your soul is becoming less of a luxury than a necessity. And there’s arguably no better place to contribute to the preservation one of the last-remaining expanses of the arid yet alluring Karoo than Sanbona. An area of exceptional beauty, it’s just under 3.5 hours’ drive from Cape Town and is owned by a non-profit company.

Sanbona is an ideal investment for families and will become increasingly valuable because of the conservation ethos of the CALEO Foundation, today’s custodians of both Sanbona Wildlife Reserve and Jock Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park. The Foundation has halted any further development, as they want to reduce the human footprint by dropping fences between north and south on this pristine bush sanctuary, but also expand to neighbouring farms. ‘This is what the CALEO Foundation call a “forever nature reserve” and buying here is unique because of this conservation drive,’ says the owner. Animals that weren’t previously in the Karoo are being moved so that Sanbona’s richly diverse Karoo landscape remains authentic and is restored to its former glory. Burchell’s Zebra, for instance, is being moved and replaced with Cape Mountain Zebra alongside a breeding programme.

ÛriXam (pronounced Koori-ghram), is clearly in good hands and Sanbona’s precious heritage safely preserved for generations to come. 

Reviewed by Michelle Snaddon

Specs:

• Erf size: 4047 m²
• 1/13 share / 4 weeks per year per share
• Share for sale has two consecutive weeks in Dec 2023
• 4 separate bedroom units with en-suite bathrooms, gas fireplaces and air conditioning
• Underfloor heating in bedrooms
• Main living area with fireplace and kitchen
• Swimming pool
• Separate unit with scullery, carport and flatlet
• Full-time housekeeper
• Soap, towels, bedding prepared for shareholders
• Levy: R5,000 per month
• No renting permitted
• ½ hr drive from ÛriXam to the North Section of Sanbona
• 1,100m gravel airstrip for private charters

Please see further details in the property brochure here: Online Brochure

For more information on Sanbona Wildlife Reserve and it’s commercial lodges (not ÛriXam), see here

For more information on Perfect Hideaways Invest, please see here

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