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A wildlife conservation success story

Meet Sango

Our Mission

Demonstrate the viability of a large-scale rewilding model, combining biodiversity protection, climate change mitigation, and community empowerment, and replicate it across Zimbabwe and Southern Africa.

Our Model

From a dreamlike vision to a proven conservation model

When Sango was acquired in 1992, more than a century of intensive cattle ranching had left its soils depleted, its vegetation degraded, and much of its wildlife in decline. Under the vision of its owner, Wilfried Pabst, the landscape was gradually restored through science-based rewilding, long-term stewardship, and collaboration with neighbouring communities.

Today, nearly 60,000 hectares of savanna, woodland, wetlands, and riverine ecosystems have been restored, home to thriving populations of black rhinos, African wild dogs, and many other native species. As part of the Savé Valley Conservancy and the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area, we aim to leverage the power of large-scale rewilding to restore ecological resilience.

"What began as a dreamlike vision is now a proven conservation model, demonstrating that when science, community partnership, and long-term stewardship come together, nature can recover, and both people and ecosystems benefit from it."

A sanctuary for Africas iconic wildlife

Some of Sango's key Species

African savannah Elephant
Cheetah
Black & White Rhino
Cape Buffalo
Blue wildebeest
Burchell's zebra
Southern Kudu
Eland
Impala
Southern giraffe
Leopard
Wild Dog
Hippo
Hyenas
African Lion
Crocodile
Bushbuck
Vulture
Baobab trees
Pangolin
Eagle

OUR HISTORY

Sango, untamed since 1993

More than a century of intensive cattle ranching leads to severe land degradation, soil exhaustion, loss of native vegetation, and decline of endemic wildlife.
- Bankruptcy of the Devuli Cattle

- Acquisition of Sango by Wilfried Pabst, with a clear and ambitious vision: to restore this degraded landscape and allow a self-sustaining ecosystem to emerge once again.
- Establishment of Sango Wildlife Conservancy (SWC).

- Initiation of ecosystem restoration activities, including the dismantling of cattle infrastructure.

- Identification of the first historically significant cultural sites on the property.
- Signature of the German–Zimbabwean Investment Promotion and Protection Treaty, ensuring secure land ownership and enabling conservation planning over generational timescales.

- Legal framework established to secure long-term land ownership and conservation management at Sango.
Zimbabwe experiences a 20% decline in woodland cover, reinforcing the importance of secure conservation areas such as Sango.
Reintroduction of lions from Malilangwe Reserve into the Savé Valley Conservancy.
- Reintroduction of white rhinos from Malilangwe Reserve into the Savé Valley Conservancy.

- Accelerated recovery of ecological processes and wildlife populations following species reintroductions.
- Gradual regeneration of savanna, woodland, and wetland ecosystems.

- Growth of populations of threatened and endangered species, including black rhinos and African wild dogs.

- Expansion of community partnerships focused on education, sustainable livelihoods, and human–wildlife coexistence.
- Sango’s carbon stock is assessed and certified to 8.5 million tons of carbon in the vegetation and soils, and in the process of being certified B Corp and IUCN Green List.

- Protection of approximately 10% of Zimbabwe’s black and white rhino population and a significant share of Africa’s remaining 6,500 black rhinos.
Documentation of more than 24 cultural heritage sites dating back to nomadic populations up to the 16th century, depicting human figures, animals, and spiritual symbols, connecting today’s conservation landscape to a much older history of human presence.
Pre-1992
1992
1993
1995
1991–2008 (National context)
2005
2006
2000s–2010s
Present Day

Our Team

Laurent Gross

Project Director

Laurent Gross

Entrepreneur

• 35 years of experience in processes and management

📍 Andorra

Martin Seitz

Project Manager

Martin Seitz

Engineering diploma in Forestry, Forest Carbon Experpert

• 20 years of experience in forestry consulting and certification of forest carbon projects/forest management systems

• 2.5 years’ work experience in management position in Ghana

📍Germany

Michael Krause-Besan​

Lead Carbon Analyst and
Data Manager

Michael Krause-Besan​

M.Sc. of Forestry, PhD in Agricultural Economics, at Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

• 19 years of experience as a technical advisor in carbon projects

• Focus on scientific methods application, data management

📍Germany 

Lourette Joubert

Biodiversity Lead, IUCN Green List Site Manager

Lourette Joubert

B.Sc Honors Plant and Animal Science, GIS, M&E.

• Over 25 years of experience in conservation and biodiversity fields in Southern Africa, and in carbon project development

• Focus on GIS analysis incorporated with Monitoring and Evaluation

📍 Zambia 

Sharon T. George

Community Lead,
B Corp Manager

Sharon T. George

M.Sc. Conservation Biology; B.Sc. Ecology, Natural Resource Management

• 15+ years’ experience in conservation and environmental management across consulting, industry, and teaching in Southern Africa

• 4 years of experience in carbon project development in Africa
📍 Zambia and USA

Naomi Delille

Head of Marketing
& Sales

Naomi Delille

MsC in Environmental Economics

• 7 years of experience in Nature consulting for organisations

• Focus on biodiversity economics • CSR strategies and marketing

📍 UK

Heliabel bomstein

Head of Nature Finance & Parterships

Heliabel Bomstein

MsC in Conservation Biology

• 10 years of experience in the implementation of conservation and restoration initiatives, including Nature strategies for companies

• Focus on Nature finance

• CSR strategies and fundraising

📍 France

Kim wolhuter

Wildlife Filmmaker and photographer

Kim wolhuter

Degree in Grassland Science

• Over 35 years in wildlife conservation and documentary filmmaking
• Unique ability to build intimate relationships with wild animals

• Expert in documenting natural behavior of predators like leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, and wild dogs

📍 Sango, Zimbabwe

The Implementation Team

William Young

General Manager

William Young

PGDip in Management and IT

• Over 25 years of experience in leadership and project management across Zimbabwe and the UK

• Focus on driving operational excellence, and building strong, capable teams

📍 Sango, Zimbabwe

Tsumbei Nemabwe

Community Liaison Manager

Tsumbei Nemabwe

Diploma in Professional Hunting (Certified Professional Hunter)

• Over 30 years of experience in wildlife conservation and biodiversity at Sango Wildlife Conservancy Zimbabwe

• Focus on anti-poaching efforts, bush pump installations and Community engagement

📍 Sango, Zimbabwe

Dusty (CJ) Joubert

Ecological Consultant

Dusty (CJ) Joubert

MSc Wildlife Management, Terrestrial Ecology

• Over 25 years of experience in Biodiversity conservation in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Zambia

• Focus on ecosystem functioning and conservation

📍 Zambia