About Us

Award-Winning Sustainable Tourism in Norfolk

Watatunga is an award-winning wildlife reserve in West Norfolk, spanning over 170 acres of woodland, grassland, wetland and lakes. This rich and diverse habitat makes it the perfect environment for our animals to thrive, from over twenty species of deer and antelope to rare and endangered birds.

Our mission is simple: to allow animals the space and freedom to live as naturally as possible. Every visit supports conservation, education and sustainable tourism.

Watatunga has been recognised both locally and nationally for our commitment to conservation and sustainability. We are proud Gold winners of the Small Visit Attraction award, part of the VisitEngland awards of excellence. More recently, Watatunga has achieved the prestigious Gold Green Tourism Award, Best Family Experience in the Norfolk Muddy awards and is now officially VisitEngland Quality Assessed, further confirming our reputation as one of the UK’s leading sustainable wildlife attractions. Other notable recognitions we have recieved are features on ITV News, BBC Radio Norfolk, Good Morning Britain, Channel 5 and Escape to the Country (Series 22 Episode 4).

Access to Watatunga is by guided tour only, ensuring our animals remain undisturbed in their natural habitat. Visitors can choose from a selection of tours in eco-friendly electric buggies or group experiences on our safari trailers. All tours must be pre-booked online. For a truly immersive experience, stay in one of our luxurious self-catering lodges – Major’s Lodge, Stable Cottage or Gate Lodge. Every Safari Stay includes an introductory tour and exclusive use of your own electric buggy to explore the reserve at your leisure.

As well as protecting endangered animals, Watatunga is committed to inspiring the next generation. Our education programmes for schools and young people help nurture a lifelong passion for wildlife and conservation.

By visiting Watatunga, you are not only enjoying a unique safari experience in Norfolk – you are also supporting vital conservation work and helping us protect endangered species for the future.

Meet Our Team

Ed Pope

Founder

Ed is a full-time arable farmer who inherited his father’s fascination with Africa and in particular, the many antelope and gazelle species which he discovered there. Proud to be able to name every species of British duck by the age of four, Ed has long been an admirer of Sir Peter Scott and his generation of maverick conservationists. Now a father himself, Ed would like to pass on the genius of nature’s complex systems to the next generation but recognises that it will take much more than a few individuals to ensure that our planet’s precious biodiversity can survive. That’s why Ed is so passionate about establishing Watatunga’s education work and ensuring that young people are empowered to tackle the challenges ahead.

With a background in agriculture, a seven-year stint in the city and a busy farm to run, Ed has not followed a conventional route into conservation. However more recent trips to Africa with his sister Annabel, an internationally renowned wildlife artist, made him increasingly aware of the pressure that habitat loss and hunting were exerting on many of the species he had grown to love. Ed is also involved in an international collaboration to reintroduce the Great Bustard to the U.K. and is proud to have the only Norfolk specimens of this little known bird which went extinct in the U.K. in 1832.

Edward Pope is also our zoo license holder.

ANNA HAMILTON

Owner

Anna has a track record of getting young people outside and having fun. Having trained as a primary school teacher, she has taught in locations as diverse as the Ecuadorian Amazon, Croydon, Lambeth and Rome and in each setting has been a passionate advocate of outdoor learning.

Anna co-founded Watatunga with her husband Ed in 2020 and currently manages everything to do with the visitor experience on site. From Forest School to safari stays, Anna is committed to making sure that visitors leave Watatunga filled with optimism and having had a fantastic time at the reserve.

Sustainability is of key importance to Anna’s vision for Watatunga, whether that’s sourcing the freshest local produce for catered events or making sure the t- shirts we sell have an ethical supply chain, attention to detail is her forte.

With her two mini-rangers in tow, Anna turns her hand to all aspects of the business but is happiest when planting veg or harvesting apples in the spectacular walled garden of the Stable Cottage, one of the holiday lets onsite.

JO PANRUCKER

Visitor Experience Manager

Jo’s passion for wildlife and conservation was ignited during seven years working in South Africa and Kenya, where she was fortunate to live near Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa’s oldest wildlife reserve. Many weekends were spent there observing animals in their natural habitats, and during her time in Kenya she also got to see the great migration in the Serengeti.

Moving to Norfolk in 2021 was a happy accident that led Jo to discover Watatunga Wildlife Reserve just down the road. She was delighted to find species she’d previously encountered in her African travels, but more importantly, a place that embraced the wild conservation approaches of larger African reserves – animals free-roaming together in biodiverse environments without enclosures, so different from traditional zoos.

After starting as a volunteer in 2025 and falling in love with the experience, Jo is returning in 2026 as a guide. Her passion for animals extends beyond work – she’s a long time dog fosterer who has worked with numerous dog charities and enjoys canicross and bikejor with her own rescue dogs.

Jo lives in Norfolk with her husband, two dogs, and usually a foster dog or two. She has recently taken up motorcycling and looks forward to exploring the world on two wheels. A lover of UK native wildlife, particularly birds, Jo loves living in Norfolk with its big open skies, coastline and landscapes as it’s truly a nature lovers paradise.

EMILY WHICKER

Administration

Emily has always been passionate about animals and the outdoors since she was a little girl, spending most of her upbringing surrounded by them. Emily joined the team in 2022 via a Kickstart placement having struggled to get back into employment after having her son.

Her role has developed sizeably since her first arrival, from managing our social media platforms and blog writing, guest communications and co-ordinating accommodation bookings, to controlling stock, managing our brand-new till and booking systems and assisting the reserve manager with tour logistics.

Emily completed her Level 3 in Business Administration in September 2024 and is now undertaking a course in Environmental Sustainability. She may be a familiar face to some, as she often jumps in to support the team—transforming into a guide, back buggy driver, coffee brewer, and bottle-feeder of baby deer at the drop of a hat!

GRACE WATERFIELD-NICHOLLS

Marketing Consultant

Grace grew up living in the Fens, with most weekends consisting of exploring the wetlands or taking trips to the Norfolk coast no matter the weather. She also spent a considerable amount of her childhood traveling the world, leading her to develop a deep appreciation for nature and the environment from an early age.

Inspired by her mum who told her stories of living in the outbacks of Australia, the beaches of Thailand, and small towns in Germany. Grace tries to travel as much as she can and her adventures in later life across Asia and Europe, seeing wildlife in its natural habitat further fueled her passion for conservation and the natural world. When the opportunity to join the Watatunga team presented itself in 2024 she jumped at it. Bringing her expertise in digital marketing to help share the reserve’s incredible work with a wider audience.

With a Level 3 qualification in digital marketing, she manages the social media and online content, ensuring that the vital conservation efforts, stunning wildlife, and unique experiences at Watatunga reach and inspire as many people as possible.

EWAN BIMPSON

Assistant Reserve Ranger

Ewan has had an interest in nature since from a very early age and loves the outdoors. Inspired by the likes of Steve Backshall, Chris Packman and of course, David Attenborough, his passion for animal care and conservation grew. He enjoyed weekly trips to the farm and various zoo outings. When he was 6 he was gifted 3 African Land Snails and was always keen to show them off to visitors, some more keen to see than others. Just before lockdown Ewan got a puppy and trained him in agility.

Ewan completed a BTEC Level 3 Animal Management at College of West Anglia, Cambridge Campus. As part of his course, he completed work experience at RDA Magpie Centre where he learnt to ride horses, from there he moved onto Church Farm Rare Breeds Centre to complete further work experience, in which he stayed on to volunteer. He approached Watatunga looking for further “alternative” work experience which again, he loved so much he stayed on to be a volunteer.

Ewan recently started as Assistant Reserve Ranger, undergoing a full-time, two-year apprenticeship whilst studying Level 4 Countryside Ranger at Bishop Burton college, Beverley, East Yorkshire. Ewan is neurodiverse and Watatunga as an organisation has fully supported him. He finds Watatunga is unique and being part of that is a privilege.

Ewan’s interest in nature started when he was young, often going bird watching with his Dad, which became a hobby alongside photography. The great thing about Watatunga is it gives him the opportunity to do both after hours.

ANDY WHITE

Tour Guide

Born in Yorkshire but raised in Essex Andy made his career as a Police Officer disappointing his Father who wanted him to follow in his footsteps with a career within the RAF.

Having retired from the Police, having qualified as an Inspector, he felt he was far too young for retirement so he studied, and qualified through the CIOB, (Chartered Institute of Builders) as a Construction Manager and worked on major projects within London. However with the onset of COVID he decided to retire again and in 2020 Andy with his Wife moved to Norfolk and quickly found Watatunga, and didn’t hesitate to apply to be a volunteer when the opportunity arose.

Having been a lifelong and passionate lover of nature and being outdoors it felt the perfect “fit”. Andy is a keen, passionate photographer., and has been a lifelong supporter of Greenpeace. When asked why he’s not at home with his feet up, Andy was quick to say, “To work with such a great passionate team, on a unique wonderful reserve and to be able to contribute in part to its success is a real privilege.“

KAREN HULL

Tour Guide & Back Buggy Assistant

Karen was born and educated in west London, but spent most of her school holidays staying with her grandparents in Sussex which informed her love of nature and wildlife. She has lived in Norfolk for over forty years with her horses and dogs which she walks daily in Thetford Forest. She has two sons and three grandchildren, whom she adores.

Karen retired from being a Secondary School Careers Adviser in 2021, after nearly thirty eight years in the profession. She had a specialist role supporting young people with learning difficulties and disabilities and her proudest moment was being awarded an MBE in 2013, for services to education.

Karen feels privileged to be working at Watatunga. She loves learning about the beautiful, critically endangered animals and birds, and working alongside a team of experts. She gives the warmest of welcomes and is a treasured team member, making sure every guest has the ultimate experience on the reserve.

LIBBY WEBB

Back Buggy Assistant

Libby was born and raised in Norfolk, where she has been surrounded by countryside and wildlife from an early age. During childhood, she was deeply curious about the natural environment and the diverse species we share it with. Her passion for conservation was further shaped through travelling Sri Lanka, where she volunteered in sea turtle conservation, gaining first-hand experience in protecting vulnerable species. This experience reinforced her ambition to pursue a career in the conservation sector and led her to study Ecology and Conservation at university.

She completed her BSc (Hons) in Ecology and Conservation, during which she was first introduced to Watatunga Wildlife Reserve through a university field trip. Inspired by the reserves conservation approach, she later returned to undertake a summer student placement, developing a strong interest in practical conservation work and animal welfare.

Libby is currently studying for an MSc in Applied Ecology and Conservation at the University of East Anglia and is particularly interested in mammal conservation. She feels incredibly privileged to be part of the team at Watatunga and to work with such a unique collection of species, contributing to meaningful conservation.