The History of
Mattanu Private Game Reserve
Mattanu overview from past to present
Mattanu is a Hebrew phrase meaning, “gift from above”. This is the underlying factor why we want to share Gods creation with everybody. This 4700 ha (11600 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.
Dr Johan Kriek, wildlife veterinarian, professional hunter and until recently, commercial helicopter pilot, moved to SA in 1980 from Zimbabwe.
Started a mixed veterinary practise in Kimberley and soon after started importing wildlife from Africa to realise his dream of one day owning his own game farm.
In 1991 this dream was realised and the breeding of rare Roan and Sable antelope started, soon followed by the first private disease free Buffalo breeding project. This importation operation 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 antelope 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 in 1994.
The profit returns from the Malawi operation were 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 900 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. Dr Kriek farmed Mattanu and still ran his veterinary practice in Kimberley until 2002 when he sold the practice and specialised as a wildlife veterinarian.
His wife, Daleen Kriek, a qualified Physiotherapist assisted from the small vet practise days, through all the wildlife importation operations until now where she is still very much involved in the hospitality of Mattanu Private Game Reserve.
He then moved to Mattanu permanently in 2012 and was joined by Jacques Kriek and his family in March 2020.
The breeding of endangered and rare antelope species is the main industry at Mattanu with very successful annual auctions held since 2016 for the sale of live wildlife from their state-of-the-art auction and boma facilities.
This forms the basis of the conservation work along with the game capture and immobilization by Dr JC Kriek, veterinarian and past commercial helicopter pilot and his son, Johann Kriek, commercial helicopter pilot both qualifying in 2004. Mattanu’s private helicopter was sold in 2019 and they now lease one as required for the very popular bushveld dinner fly-inns, helicopter game viewing and the transportation of numerous guests.
The Kriek family is personally involved in the reserve from a day-to-day basis.
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 and thus opened to the public as an eco-tourism destination in 2007. With numerous awards for service, hospitality and their wine list Mattanu is now regarded as one of the best tourism products and brands in central SA.
Nadia de Klerk is the current lodge and hospitality manager and with her experience in the hospitality industry and love for people tourists and visitors from around the world can be assured of great service and hospitality through their personal attention to your every need. The catering on Mattanu is done by Zimbabwean chef Paymore, Nadia and Daleen Kriek. They combine distinct flavours of the unique South-African dishes which is brought out in all of their creative and divine meals.
The Kriek Children and Grandchildren
Dr Johan and Daleen’s eldest son Johann Kriek was born in 1980, followed by Jacques Kriek in 1982 and daughter Heleen Kriek in 1986. Son Johann qualified as an IT technician during 2001 and developed the Kriek Helicopters & Kriek Wildlife websites with electronic marketing platforms. He obtained his commercial helicopter license during 2006 & was instrumental in the certification of Kriek Helicopters as a commercial helicopter service.
Jacques finished his degree in Tourism management/marketing and development and in 2006 actively started developing and marketing the breeding farm as an eco-tourism destination evolving into the award winning Mattanu Private Game Reserve. He now also chairs the WRSA Roan and Sable advisory committee and WRSA Game Rancher of the year awards. After a period at Mattanu, sister Heleen, a qualified somatologist and husband Burger Schoeman worked at Thuru lodge where Burger was general manager, but has since moved to Midlands group where he heads his department.
The whole Kriek Family also qualified as estate agents with Daleen and Johan being the principals. Along with their sons, under the Kriek Wildlife Group brand, they now specialise in the game breeding/capture/immobilisation, translocation, marketing of wildlife/farms as well as consulting and mentoring current and future game breeders. As professional hunters Dr Johan, Johann and Jacques also assist with all trophy and biltong hunts at Mattanu.
Other family members include Johann’s wife, Dominique, with children Tiaan, Miné, Tertius and Lohann, a baby boy who arrived in 2019. Jacques’s
wife, Stephné and children Stephan, Jané and Mienke. Heleen and Burger with Pierre and baby Elaine who arrived late in 2019.