Dubai World, the state-owned conglomerate, has snapped up majority stakes in three wildlife game parks in South Africa for an undisclosed sum.

The group’s African subsidiary, Dubai World Africa, has acquired 80% stakes in the Shamwari Game Reserve, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve and Jock Safari Lodge.

Although the group did not specify how much it paid for the stakes, press reports in the UAE mooted a figure of around R600-million ($74-million) for the Shamwari deal.

Ecotourism entrepreneur Adrian Gardiner, who founded all three parks, has agreed to continue as managing director and a minority shareholder.

Shadleigh Roscoe, marketing and public-relations manager for Dubai World, said the company is also looking for “possible acquisitions in other parts of Africa, including Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania and Rwanda”.

The company has already said that it intends to invest around $1.5 billion in Africa over the next five years.