Mattanu's History

Mattanu is a Hebrew phrase meaning, “gift from above”.  This is the underlying factor why we want to share Gods creation with everybody.  This 2300 hectare (4856 acres) Game Reserve, owned by the Kriek family, started in 1991 when the owner, Dr JC Kriek, originally from Zimbabwe, imported 95 endangered Roan antelope and 65 rare Sable antelope species into South-Africa from Malawi. This is regarded by many as the most successful Game capturing and importation operation ever. Dr JC Kriek is also regarded by many as the pioneer for the breeding of endangered specie industry in Southern Africa.  Ever since then more than 300 Roan, Sable and Disease free Buffalo have been bred at Mattanu. Dr JC Kriek also wrote the protocol for the breeding of disease free Buffalo and fittingly was the first private game rancher to receive permission for the breeding of these Buffalo.

The profit returns from the Malawi operation was used to purchase Mattanu Private Game Reserve, which was then a cattle farm, in 1990 and to date many millions have been spent in the development of the infrastructure and the re-introduction of numerous species.  To date there are over 36 different animal species and approximately 700 animals on Mattanu. The Northern Cape is a very dry province and therefore not many diseases exist in this province.  This is one of the main reasons way most of the animals breed so well and why the conservation of all our species are so positive. This is all worthwhile as Mattanu Private Game Reserve is not only a Game Ranch or a business, but a dream being realized and a passion of the whole Kriek family.

The breeding of endangered species is the main industry at Mattanu along with the game capture and immobilization by Dr JC Kriek, veterinarian and commercial helicopter pilot, and his son Johann Kriek, commercial helicopter pilot (Kriek Helicopters Website). Mattanu’s private helicopter is also used in the very popular bushveld dinner fly-inns, helicopter game viewing and the transportation of numerous guests. Therefore it is a very handy tool in the eco-tourism on the farm, managed and marketed by the younger son, Jacques Kriek, whom finished his degree in tourism management and marketing. Jacques is also the personal guide to all tourists and visitors to Mattanu and he will insure the unique service and hospitality through his personal attention to your every need.

The catering on Mattanu is done by the mother, Daleen Kriek, and the distinct flavours of the unique South-African dishes is brought out in all of her creative and divine meals.  Mattanu also employed another chef from Zimbabwe to define the service and combine the African aromas to create an experience rather than a meal.  The youngest daughter, Heleen Kriek has her degree in Somatology (beauty therapy) and future plans for Mattanu will include a natural state-of -the-art health and fitness spa.

It was the younger son, Jacques Kriek, who saw the need to diversify and market the existing product to tourists. Therefore the tourism part of the business started developing in 2006 and very soon after that we saw a great need for an upmarket lodge, conference facility, wedding venue and luxury accommodation in the Northern Cape area. The Northern Cape with its Kalahari Bushveld savannah has so much to offer if marketed correctly. So we started with our new developments in September of 2006 and finished around November of 2007.Hopefully this investment into our beautiful province will bring more feet to the Northern Cape and increase the economic contribution and multiplier effect the tourism industry already has. The local community of Barkley-west and Kimberley benefited greatly from this development as only local labour was used and local businesses and establishments were supported.

The new development entailed a new lodge with fully equipped kitchen that can easily cater for up to 150 delegates in a truly traditional way.  The lodge also includes a bar area, an underground wine cellar and state of the art conference facility. In addition to the lodge there is a wooden deck walk way to the centre of our new island centre swimming pool area which is overlooked by a natural rock waterfall feature.  Over 100meters of tiled pathway leads you from the lodge to the new luxury tents. All five tents are air-conditioned, have their own private decks, mini-bars, jet-spa baths and under floor heating.

In addition to the new lodge development Mattanu also upgraded from their R22, 2-seater helicopter and invested in a new R44, 4-seater helicopter. This luxury air-conditioned leather seated addition is key to our unique activities including helicopter fly-fishing trips, helicopter game viewing, helicopter paintball, bushveld dinner fly-inns, luxury transfers and game capture safaris.  Our game capture safaris are often run as part of overseas veterinary student courses.  During these courses we mentor and transfer skills to up and coming wildlife veterinary enthusiasts.

One of our aims is to keep this 4-star and AA superior graded establishment affordable to the local and provincial tourists and make helicopter flying affordable for everyone with a sense of adventure.  In July of 2008 we received an OFM/Sanlam Cobalt good service award followed by a Silver award at the Northern Cape Tourism Service Excellence awards. Mattanu has also recently been a finalist in the AA Accommodation Awards under Nature/Game Reserve in South-Africa for 2009/10.

The Northern Cape Province is also the only province in South-Africa that has been nominated for the International Luxury Travel Exhibition in Lugano, Switzerland, from the 15th-19th April 2009 and Mattanu Private Game Reserve is one of only three establishments from the Northern Cape to be invited to exhibit at this exhibition.