Formed as part of the WWF black rhino range expansion project, Manyoni is now one of the premier big five safari destinations in South Africa, with a strong focus on endangered species conservation. The reserve is home to critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable species such as Black Rhino, White Rhino, Pangolin, Cheetah & Lion. The landscape is characterised by open savannah thornveld, rocky hills to the west of the reserve and riverine woodland along the Msunduze, Sekane & Manyoni Rivers. The reserve is home to over 70 mammal species and a diversity of birdlife. Accommodation ranges from luxury four star lodges to rustic bush camps with excellent game viewing and birding all year round. Established in 2004 the reserve comprises of 17 landowners who have dropped their internal fences to create a big 5, endangered species reserve, with the WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project as the conduit
The Reserve was chosen as a release site for the WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project and in 2005 a founder population of Black Rhino were released. In 2009 the reserve was proclaimed as a Nature Reserve under the Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 acknowledging the reserve as a site of biodiversity importance that makes essential contributions to the conservation of species and habitats and is an important system that provides ecosystem services.
