Our Story
From humble beginnings to an expansive conservancy
Warne and Wendy Rippon, founders of Buffalo Kloof, both grew up in the Eastern Cape, where their love for the bush and conservation began during family holidays and camping trips. After spending time building their careers in Johannesburg, they returned to the Eastern Cape with their two children, Hannah and Taylor, to establish Buffalo Kloof. They acquired their first piece of land, an 800-hectare property nestled at the source of the Kowie River. What started as a personal project soon evolved into a grand rewilding mission that would transform the Eastern Cape landscape. Over the years, this passion project burgeoned into Buffalo Kloof, now a sprawling 20,000-hectare property.
The heart of Buffalo Kloof beats with the passion for conservation, driven by the Rippon family’s deep-rooted love for the Eastern Cape and their unwavering commitment to making a difference. Faced with challenging terrain and numerous obstacles, they embarked on a monumental task of joining individually owned farmlands and pristine thicket areas into one large conservancy. Through relentless dedication and investment of resources, the landscape of Buffalo Kloof was rejuvenated. Old sneezewood fencing spanning hundreds of kilometres was dismantled, seamlessly blending untouched wilderness with degraded areas.
"This journey has been life-changing for our family and Buffalo Kloof has evolved in ways we never anticipated." - Wendy Rippon
Buffalo Kloof is more than just a family-run operation. While Warne, Wendy, Hannah, and Taylor are deeply involved, they are supported by a dedicated and passionate team who are the true backbone of the conservancy. This remarkable group of people work tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring that Buffalo Kloof remains a pioneer in balancing ecotourism, conservation, and hunting. Together, they have reintroduced species like rhino, cheetah, and elephant, while promoting sustainable practices that benefit local communities and preserve the environment.
The vision for Buffalo Kloof continues to evolve. There are still strides to be made in expanding the conservancy’s size, furthering its impact on habitat preservation and biodiversity. The dream of Buffalo Kloof is gradually taking shape, with the hope of extending its reach through habitat and range expansion.
Our Incredible Team
A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM
Warne Rippon
"A wise guy once told me before entering this industry that I would meet some amazing people, and it’s safe to say we have encountered life-changing individuals through Buffalo Kloof, many of whom I will always be grateful to. Buffalo Kloof exudes power and glory through its magnificent landscape; it captivates with its serenity, it is at peace with itself, drawing visitors back time and again. Buffalo Kloof is not just a treasure to us, but to the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and our planet."