The History of Inverdoorn
Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve has an incredible beginning. Founded in 1907, Inverdoorn was once known as the Southern Hemisphere’s largest fruit farm from 1915 to 1972, before transforming into a private nature reserve in 1970.
Over the years, Inverdoorn’s cheetah project had fallen into a profit-focused conservation initiative, allowing guests to interact and touch captive bred cheetahs, led by collars and leads around the lodge, for entertainment and photo opportunities. Dedicated to protecting wildlife and biodiversity in the Western Cape, South Africa, new ownership under Searl Derman and the Aquila Collection in 2019 ushered in a new era for cheetah conservation and wildlife rehabilitation, marked by the immediate and strict implementation of a “no touch” policy and the foundation of an animal welfare ethics committee.
Today, Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve still cultivates most of its own vegetables and offers a tranquil Karoo Big 5 experience, perfect for stargazing and exploring the untamed beauty of the West Coast. At the core of its operations, the reserve prioritises the delicate balance between tourism and conservation, sharing a deep passion for wildlife and nature with visitors and overnight safari guests.
