Summer is our Emerald Season in northwestern Zimbabwe; sun-baked landscapes give way to an explosion of green, as the long-awaited rains nourish the bush back to life. Natural pans that had gone temporarily dry are filled once more with water, lush grasses erupt on the vlei and the browsers are kept busy with the appearance […]
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Conservation Manager Jannie Liebenberg brings over 20 years of experience in ranch and estate operations, with a deep understanding of land management, wildlife protection, and the intricate balance needed to allow ecosystems to flourish.
Since joining Matetsi Victoria Falls, as our Workshop & Estate Manager back in in early 2021, Jannie has played a pivotal role in some of our most significant conservation achievements, from establishing life-giving solar-powered boreholes to expanding and maintaining our extensive road network, making remote areas more accessible for anti-poaching patrols and conservation monitoring.
A proud Zimbabwean, Jannie’s love for his home country and her wildlife runs deep. One of the highlights of his career came in 2018, when he was part of a monumental conservation effort to relocate 100 elephants from Sango to Rifa in the Zambezi Valley to support elephant populations. “It was hard work,” Jannie recalls, “but when the last herd left in the truck bound for Rifa, there was an overwhelming sense of fulfilment and pride shared by everyone involved.”
For Jannie, one of the most rewarding aspects of working at Matetsi Victoria Falls is witnessing the steady rise in wildlife numbers each year, a true testament to the dedication of the entire team and to the vision of the family who lead Matetsi Private Game Reserve, continually reinvesting in the land to ensure that the concession not only survives but thrives.
In Jannie’s spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and catching up with friends. One of his favourite ways to relax is socialising around a braai in the park, sharing stories, laughter, and good food in the heart of the wilderness he works so hard to protect.
