After the democratization of the country in 1994, the Makuleke community was one of the first communities in South Africa to win a land claim in 1998. As part of the Settlement Agreement, the Makuleke community were given the rights to develop the area for the socio-economic benefit of the community, as long as the land was used for conservation. It was also agreed that the area would be managed through a co-management arrangement with KNP.