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A brief history

MJEJANE GAME RESERVE TIMELINE

The Mjejane Game Reserve has a rich history that reaches back to the great Zulu King, King Shaka.

During the early 19th century King Shaka sent Soshangane to conquer present-day Southern Mozambique.

Towards the end of 1828 Shaka sent another army, under the command of Dingane (his brother) and Mhlangana, to deal with Soshangane.

One group, under the leadership of Chief Mjejane, moved across the Mozambican border to the Biyamiti region of the Kruger National Park.

European settlers began to arrive in South Africa, Lodwichs Lust formed part of an important transport route from the gold fields near Pilgrim’s Rest to Delagoa Bay in Mozambique.
In 1954 the Lugedlane were removed from Lodwichs Lust by the Apartheid Government.

A Trust was formed to verify and benefit the descendants of Chief Mjejane.

The fence separating Mjejane Game Reserve from the Kruger Park was removed to allow wildlife to move freely on either side of the river.

Captivated by the beauty and fertility of the land, Soshangane decided to settle there against the will of King Shaka.

This led to a turbulent period, around 1830, which caused groups of Tsonga speakers to move southwards.

The Ngomane settled along the bank of the Crocodile River where they grew crops and raised cattle. They were the first residents of the 4000 ha farm that later became known as Lodwichs Lust.
In 1875 Lodwichs Lust was then signed over to Alois Nellmapius, a South African businessman and Friend of President Kruger, for the purpose of establishing a refreshment station on the transport route.

In 1994, Mpumalanga’s largest land claim was won and the Mjejane land was given back to the original owners.

In 2008 the community signed an agreement with Leisure Properties to create a 5-star eco-tourism destination within the Mjejane area – this is now known as the Mjejane Game Reserve.

During the early 19th century King Shaka sent Soshangane to conquer present-day Southern Mozambique.

Captivated by the beauty and fertility of the land, Soshangane decided to settle there against the will of King Shaka.

Towards the end of 1828 Shaka sent another army, under the command of Dingane (his brother) and Mhlangana, to deal with Soshangane.

This led to a turbulent period, around 1830, which caused groups of Tsonga speakers to move southwards.

One group, under the leadership of Chief Mjejane, moved across the Mozambican border to the Biyamiti region of the Kruger National Park.

The Ngomane settled along the bank of the Crocodile River where they grew crops and raised cattle. They were the first residents of the 4000 ha farm that later became known as Lodwichs Lust.
European settlers began to arrive in South Africa, Lodwichs Lust formed part of an important transport route from the gold fields near Pilgrim’s Rest to Delagoa Bay in Mozambique.
In 1875 Lodwichs Lust was then signed over to Alois Nellmapius, a South African businessman and Friend of President Kruger, for the purpose of establishing a refreshment station on the transport route.
In 1954 the Lugedlane were removed from Lodwichs Lust by the Apartheid Government.

In 1994, Mpumalanga’s largest land claim was won and the Mjejane land was given back to the original owners.

A Trust was formed to verify and benefit the descendants of Chief Mjejane.

In 2008 the community signed an agreement with Leisure Properties to create a 5-star eco-tourism destination within the Mjejane area – this is now known as the Mjejane Game Reserve.

The fence separating Mjejane Game Reserve from the Kruger Park was removed to allow wildlife to move freely on either side of the river.

Today, over two decades after the land was given back to its original owners, private owners have bought into  Mjejane Game Reserve to create a five-star ecotourism destination – Mjejane Game Reserve – for and on behalf of the beneficiaries of the Mjejane Trust.

"If you are in a beautiful place where you can enjoy sunrise and sunset, then you are living like a lord."
- Nathan Phillips

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