wisdom
from The Malilangwe Trust , our non-profit conservation partner in Zimbabwe. We can also see the importance of balance at play at South Africa’s properties in numerous ways. In early 2026, heavy rains caused floods across the Greater Kruger region. While rain in the wild is essential for renewal, too much of a good thing brings consequences. This mighty force can be unstoppable, and when truly unleashed, it threatens habitats and infrastructure. Here, there can be no prevention, only preparation. In the bush, fire can also be a hugely devastating force, especially if it rages out of control. But at the same time, ecosystemic balance relies on it. The controlled use of fire, from an ecological standpoint, can help clear excess vegetation and reduce the fuel load, minimising the risk of excessive wildfires. It also recycles nutrients back into the soil, regenerating grasslands and growing palatable grasses for the herds. Harnessing this powerful
element allows us to use it for good. In the Serengeti, Grumeti Fund aims to cover the entire 350,000-acre concession every three years through controlled burns and firebreaks around infrastructure. To do this strategically, the Fund’s Research and Monitoring team conduct vegetation assessments to measure availability and identify species. “Using these, our teams develop maps to identify areas where they want to implement managed or prescribed burns. Again, moderation and timing are crucial. You don’t want to burn too much at once,” says Skyler Nuelle, Grumeti Fund’s Head of Partnerships & Impact Analysis. Ecosystems are not static, and neither are their challenges. They’re living entities, so balance needs to be equally as dynamic, with research constantly updating strategies and informing methods, and conservationists always looking to nature for the answers.
Right The forces of nature can’t be controlled or predicted, only prepared for.
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