\nFor as long as she can remember, animals have been part of Lila\u2019s world. Growing up on a farm, she spent much of her childhood outdoors. She laughs when she recalls teaching her mother\u2019s tame Brahman cow to jump, while an uncle\u2019s chimpanzee became such a regular companion that she was convinced he was her nanny. \u201cI\u2019ve always had a special connection with animals,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Today, when she\u2019s not spending time with the zebras, she\u2019s usually tending to the farm, training her horse Flash, reading a good book or studying natural medicine. It\u2019s a simple life surrounded by nature and animals, and it\u2019s clearly where she\u2019s happiest.<\/p>\n
Even so, Nyamazan would prove to be unlike any animal she had ever known.<\/p>\n
The moment everything changed<\/strong> Determined to give him the best possible life, Lila began working with him using the Monty Roberts natural horsemanship method.<\/p>\n Then one morning, after six weeks of patience and persistence, something remarkable happened.<\/p>\n \u201cI was sitting quietly in the boma enclosure when Nyamazan walked over and gently touched my shoulder with his nose. It was his way of joining up with me.\u201d<\/p>\n There was no turning back.<\/p>\n Not your average zebra<\/strong> Unlike most zebras, Nyamazan is comfortable around children, elderly visitors and even dogs. One moment in particular still tugs at Lila\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n \u201cAn elderly woman in a wheelchair arrived at the farm for an interaction session. As they wheeled her into the paddock, he quietly walked over and rested his head in her lap. He stood there while she stroked him and spoke to him. It was incredibly touching.\u201d<\/p>\n Then there is his well-known weakness \u2026 carrots.<\/p>\n A self-confessed carrot addict, Nyamazan once wandered into the family home through an open front door. To everyone\u2019s surprise, he headed straight for the fridge. Since then, house visits have become something of a habit.<\/p>\n Enter Nandi<\/strong> \u201cShe definitely likes being in charge,\u201d laughs Lila. \u201cBut she also has a soft side and seems to warm to people with a kind but confident nature.\u201d<\/p>\n When Lila once tried to introduce a fitness routine, Nandi trotted around the enclosure exactly once before lying down and refusing to continue.<\/p>\n She still isn\u2019t interested. Just a short, chubby zebra who lives her best life.<\/p>\n Lessons from a wild heart<\/strong> Through every challenge, Lila has remained committed to giving him the best life possible. Along the way, they\u2019ve taught her a few important lessons too.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve taught me that most things can be achieved with patience and perseverance. And that respect and trust have to be earned.\u201d<\/p>\n Working with wildlife has deepened her appreciation for how different animals can be. Many people assume zebras are all the same. \u201cOh no,\u201d she laughs. \u201cNo two zebras are alike.\u201d<\/p>\n Sharing something special<\/strong> After meeting Nyamazan, they encouraged her to share the experience with others. As veterinary costs continued to rise, she realised that opening the farm to a small number of visitors could help support the animals while teaching people more about them.<\/p>\n Today, visitors can experience a little of that magic for themselves. \u201cVisitors have the opportunity to spend time with the tame zebras, brush them, walk alongside them and learn more about these fascinating animals in a calm and respectful environment. The experience remains intentionally small, allowing the zebras to spend most of their time simply enjoying life on the farm.\u201d<\/p>\n Nyamazan has even been taught to smile for photos. Say smile and he\u2019ll grin right along with everyone else … but let\u2019s just say he\u2019s not doing it for free. A carrot or two is usually expected. Guests can also capture the experience through the lens of Lila, whose beautiful photographs ensure the smiles, laughter and unforgettable moments shared with the zebras can be cherished long after the day is over.<\/p>\n For Lila, though, it has never been about creating a tourist attraction. It\u2019s about connection. It\u2019s about helping people see zebras differently. And it\u2019s about inspiring a greater appreciation for wildlife and conservation.<\/p>\n A friendship beyond words<\/strong> For a zebra that was never expected to survive in the wild, Nyamazan has created a life filled with companionship, purpose and love.<\/p>\n And for the woman who took a chance on an injured foal all those years ago, that may be the greatest gift of all.<\/p>\n Details: Lila on 082-256-4252, zebrasafaris77@gmail.com<\/a>, follow @Zebrasafaris<\/a> on Facebook and @zebra_safaris.za<\/a> on Insta.<\/em><\/p>\n Ever dreamed of getting up close to a zebra? Here\u2019s your chance. One family of four will win a private Zebra Safaris interaction, where you\u2019ll spend time with Nyamazan and Nandi. The experience lasts between one and two hours and includes plenty of Instagram-worthy moments along the way. Guests can brush the zebras, walk alongside them and pose for photographs with a beautifully restored 1970 short-wheelbase Land Rover, a former British Army vehicle that adds a touch of vintage safari charm.<\/p>\n To make the experience even more memorable, Lila will capture the highlights of your day, leaving you with keepsakes and memories to treasure for a lifetime.<\/p>\n You\u2019re welcome to take along your own picnic basket and enjoy a leisurely picnic under the trees.<\/p>\n To enter trot over to @getitptamagazine on Insta<\/a> or Facebook<\/a>, find the comptetition post and follow the prompts.<\/p>\n Text: RIALIEN FURSTENBERG. Image: HENRY O PHOTOGRAPHY.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A zebra standing patiently while a woman brushes his coat sounds like something you\u2019d expect to see in a wildlife doccie, right? Not on a farm just outside Pretoria. But that\u2019s exactly where you\u2019ll find Lila Kruger and Nyamazan. It\u2019s immediately clear that this is no ordinary friendship. There is a quiet ease between Lila […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":22902,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51,40,20,35],"tags":[10512,10513,2532,10509,10511,10510,10508,10507],"class_list":{"0":"post-22901","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-lifestyle","8":"category-people","9":"category-personalities","10":"category-travel","11":"tag-a-stripey-best-friend","12":"tag-cullinan","13":"tag-get-it-pretoria","14":"tag-lila-kruger","15":"tag-nandi","16":"tag-nyamazan","17":"tag-zebra-safari-experience","18":"tag-zebra-safaris"},"yoast_head":"\n
\n\u201cWhen Nyamazan first arrived, he was deeply wary of people. Like most zebras, confidence and trust did not come naturally to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAsk Lila about Nyamazan and her face lights up immediately. \u201cHe\u2019s intelligent, gentle and very calm. Nyammies also seems blissfully unaware that he\u2019s actually a zebra. Sometimes I think he believes he\u2019s a big stripey dog.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAbout 10 years ago, Nyamazan gained a companion when Nandi arrived on the farm. That\u2019s where the similarities end. Where Nyamazan is calm and easy-going, Nandi is very much the boss.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2026\/07\/HOPH9053-Version-2-266x400.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nAlthough Nyamazan\u2019s injury brought him into Lila\u2019s life, caring for him has not always been easy. Over the years, he has required treatment for hoof abscesses, recurring bouts of tick-bite fever and ongoing care for the arthritis associated with his injured leg.<\/p>\n
\nFor many years, the friendship between Lila and her zebras remained something private.
\nThen a visit from friends from Germany changed everything.<\/p>\n
\nAfter nearly three decades together, Nyamazan has given Lila something she never expected. \u201cHe taught me about the special bond that can exist between a wild animal and a human being.\u201d It\u2019s a relationship built without words, yet filled with understanding. A friendship that has taught her patience, loyalty, kindness and trust.<\/p>\nWIN! A Private Zebra Safari Experience<\/h2>\n
\nThe prize includes:
\n\u2022 A fully private booking
\n\u2022 Personal interaction with the zebras
\n\u2022 Eight high-resolution edited photographs per person
\n\u2022 Eight professionally edited group photographs
\n\u2022 Juice or bottled water<\/p>\n