Lissataba Specification Sheet

Research before you buy. Let Rob show you around this gem.

Lissataba Nature Reserve is a privately owned 2542ha reserve situated near Kruger Park and close to the town of Hoedspruit. There are 54 shareholders with around 50 homes nestled in the rock strewn bushveld and Lissataba is strictly for the enjoyment of homeowners and their guests. There are no commercial lodges.

Lissataba, which means “view of the mountain” stretches 12 km over acacia bushveld littered with rocky outcrops and impressive koppies. Not only does it have stunning Mountain views of the Northern Drakensberg but also boasts 4km of Olifants River frontage. It is not a Big “5” reserve as this has the advantage of allowing owners to get closer to nature by exploring some of the smaller critters on foot or bicycle. There is an extensive net-work, (150kms) of game drive tracks allowing a more traditional way of exploring the bush.

The site development is confined to one portion of the property where 16 river and 38 bush sites have been developed. Water and electricity are available at each site and owners pay a monthly levy to of pay for the running of the reserve which includes, security, reserve management, fencing, roads, game management, water and electricity.

There are numerous look out points, picnic spots, a bird hide and a campsite for owners to enjoy. Four earth dams are permanently filled, and provide additional drinking water for the Game and locations for interesting game watching, photography or game viewing.

At the administration center there is a clubhouse with entertainment facilities such as a pool table, Television, education centre, books, a bar and a pool. This centre is a great place to catch up with the reserve management and other reserve owners. There are notice boards with the latest research findings, photos and sightings board. At the main centre one can share stories and sightings, share a beer or relax around the pool and read a book.

History

It is Part of the original Harmanoy block that was sold in the late 1800’s for then R2 million. After unsuccessful gold exploration in the Harmony block the farms were used for cattle. Then after World War 2 Harmony Block of Farms were offered for sale by the Government. Mr Daniel Otto van Zyl bought the farm and continued as a cattle rancher until 1968. On the 17 August 1968 Dr Anton Rupert and family bought the portion KT 140, which is now Lissataba.

On the 18 September of the same year it was registered as a Company and promulgated a Nature and Wildlife Reserve in the Government Gazette. In 1980 the South African Ambassador to the Hague, Dr Bodenstein bought the Company from the Rupert's It is interesting to note that he had all the internal fences removed from the property. In January 1981 the new owner Mr. Louis van der Westhuizen took transfer of the property. The farm was then used for hunting purposes.

In 1983 Holiday Report status was obtained and all hunting was stopped in 1986. During 1988 Share Block registration was Gazetted and in 1989 Mr. Navarre de Villiers sold the first 5 shares This reserve is now a mature reserve with well established policies for shareholders and environmental planning.

Blyde Olifants Conservancy

The Blyde Olifants Conservancy is made up of land owners spanning both the Blyde and Olifants rivers with a common goal “to create a Big Game sanctuary which is registered as a Private Nature Reserve and where all landowners, stakeholders and neighboring communities benefit in a harmonious inter-relationship from the conservation of biodiversity. The idea is to open up the boundaries of small farms to allow the free movement of animals within a much larger protected area therefore increasing the biodiversity and genetic viability in the greater reserve. Traditional migration routes will then be allowed to reform in this very sensitive ecosystem adding to the preservation of the veld. Currently the Conservancy hold regular meetings to discuss the many obstacles to achieving their aim and is still a work in progress.

Predator Survey

Lissataba is currently undergoing a survey to better understand the type, amount and movements of predators within Lissataba. This is done by the homeowners, camera traps and the management and research staff recording and reporting all sightings of Lion, Leopard, Hyena, Caracal, Serval and Wild Cat. Cheetah have been re-introduced into the Puza Moya part of the reserve and time will show how successful this introduction will be.

It is extremely hard to estimate how many of these predators use Lissataba Nature Reserve and on what basis, so a database of sightings will assist to judge their numbers and movement. Lucy Hughes, a resident homeowner is the project co-ordinator for Lissataba and up until now interesting sightings by means of camera traps have shown two leopard, brown and spotted hyena.

BIRDS IN RESEARCH PROJECT (BIRP)

Lissataba has recently been registered to take part in a nationwide ongoing bird survey. The Birds in Reserve Project (BIRP) is run by the Animal Demography Unit (ADU) University of Cape Town in conjunction with BirdLife South Africa.The aim of BIRP is to catalogue the species of birds which occur in South Africa’s protected areas with the purpose of identifying species which are not adequately protected. It will also benefit management in setting management policies. All home owners can take part in this and information can be obtained from reserve management. A copy of the information booklet is kept at the Lissataba office as well as a bird list of the area.

BIRD ABUNDANCE SURVEY

South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON)

SAEON’s aim is to carry out long term studies of ecosystems in a bid to detect, predict and react to environmental change. It strives to distinguish between anthropogenic and natural change as well as to unravel the relations between social change and ecosystem change. The Ndlovu node of SAEON is based in the Kruger National Park near to Phalaborwa and is focused on environmental changes within the savanna biome. Lissataba is submitting monthly bird lists to the Ndlovu node as part of their bird abundance survey. They are also submitting, during the spring, the dates that our first returning migratory birds arrive. It is hoped that eventually patterns will emerge that will aid conservationists in their work and through this Lissataba can only benefit.

Transactional And Legal

Lissataba was a share block and has recently converted to full title stands with members owning the common land view the Home owners association. Shareholder can choose to hold their property as shares or as full title. Full title allows one the opportunity to get a mortgage bond in order to purchase a home here. Whether you are a full title owner of shareholder you usage and enjoyment will be exactly the same.

If a purchaser purchases shares the purchase of a house or they will be purchasing shares into the overall holding company. This is the Lissataba Share Block limited. A buyer will be purchasing 1/54th or 1.8519% in the overall farm. This will include the land as well as the game. The purchaser will have full user rights to the particular house or stand that is being purchased and it cannot be used by any other shareholders.