From wilderness to wireless: how we connected the unconnectable

The challenge

This Wildlife Conservation Reserve, located in the rugged heart of Zululand, is home to three remote game lodges where guests can unplug from the world. The problem? They couldn't plug back in! The reserve needed a managed IT solution that would serve its lodges and assist in tracking wildlife - all without leaving a big digital footprint on the natural landscape.

Problem statement

Before we stepped in, their connectivity was as elusive as a leopard at noon. No internet, no easy way to keep track of staff, guests, or the animals. Just the sound of wind and Wi-Fi dreams drifting through the wilderness.

Challenges faced

• Specific issues. How do you get a reliable internet signal to lodges in the middle of nowhere without laying miles of unsightly cables or disturbing the elephants? We needed a solution that wouldn't disrupt the wildlife - because an unhappy rhino is the last thing you want when installing network infrastructure.
• Impact on organisation. With no connectivity, the lodges were stuck in the digital dark ages. Guests couldn't Instagram their safari selfies, and staff were left trying to track wildlife and communicate using tools from the '90s. It wasn't just an inconvenience - it impacted conservation efforts, guest experience, and operational efficiency.

The approach

Our approach was simple: bring the internet to where the roads don't go, and do it with style. We rolled out a wireless network, using point-to-point (PTP) backhaul links to stretch across the reserve, like a high-tech spiderweb. We also installed fibre in key lodges to give them that speedy connection everyone dreams of. This dual approach ensured that guests and staff could enjoy seamless internet in the wild.

Technologies used

We stuck to Cambium gear for its reliability, setting up a wireless network that gave us a single-pane-of-glass view for easy management. The same high-sites that brought internet also powered a LoRa network, which lets staff track animals and stay in touch over the radio. And yes, fibre got in on the action too, bringing high-speed connectivity to the lodges.

Processes and phases

• Assessment. We scoped out the lay of the land and worked with existing infrastructure.
• Deployment. Our team bravely ventured into the wild, setting up high-sites and laying fibre, all while keeping an eye out for anything with sharp teeth or horns.
• Management. Now that the network is live, we monitor it to ensure smooth sailing - even when the occasional elephant decides to give it a nudge.

Implementation

• Project timeline. The timeline spanned a few weeks, from evaluating the terrain to climbing towers and dodging wildlife. We started with the wireless network deployment, connecting the dots between high-sites, and finished with fibre installations.
• Challenges encountered. Nature had its way of keeping us on our toes but we built redundancies into the system to keep things running, even when Mother Nature tried to have the last word.

The result

The reserve's staff can now keep tabs on both guests and animals, while guests rave about the “unexpectedly excellent Wi-Fi” that lets them share their safari snaps before their safari vehicles have even returned to camp. Conservation efforts are more streamlined, and the rangers can track animals.

Final thoughts

We took The Wildlife Conservation Reserve from no connectivity to having reliable internet that spans across the entire property. Now, both guests and staff can enjoy high-speed internet, track animals, and stay connected - even in the heart of the wilderness.

Lessons learnt

Where there's a will (and some carefully placed high-sites), there's a way. Redundancy is key, especially when your network is one lightning bolt - or elephant stampede - away from being knocked offline. We learned that the wild is an unpredictable, but rewarding, place for tech innovation.