Transforming the Eastern Cape into the next Kruger Park with ‘Big Seven’  - Paul Gardiner

The Eastern Cape in South Africa was once home to lions, black rhinos, and elephants. Early British settler records describe frequent encounters with these animals, but much of the land was later converted into farmland. Adrian Gardiner sought to reverse this trend, spearheading efforts to rewild the region by founding the Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Now, his son, Paul Gardiner, a conservationist and entrepreneur, is pursuing an even bolder vision: to create a “mega-biosphere” spanning 5 to 6 million hectares, transforming the Eastern Cape into the next Kruger National Park. Speaking to BizNews during a fireside chat in England, Gardiner outlined plans to connect private reserves via natural corridors, allowing wildlife to roam freely. Inspired by the success of similar projects near Kruger, he acknowledged challenges such as roads, railways, community involvement, and costs, noting that his vision could take decades to realise. Gardiner also highlighted the Eastern Cape’s potential to become home to the Big Seven—not only lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo but also whales and great white sharks.