The reserve was founded in 1985 by Mr. Ed Hern, a well known stockbroker, with the aim of preserving this beautiful area for private leisure. Prior to this the farm was utilised as a dairy and agricultural produce farm. From a modest beginning of two white rhinos, "Ouvrou" and "Bulle", imported from a zoo in Germany, and some antelope species, the reserve now boasts 600 head of game representing 25 different species. Public demand to visit the reserve became overwhelming and this was met in 1990, coinciding with a name change from "Kiepersol" to "Rhino Park".

Emphasis was also placed on breeding and the success of this project is best illustrated by the fact that no less than 11 white rhino calves have been born at the reserve to date. Increasing the number of species is always hampered by external factors such as climate, habitat, grazing, availability, etc. but the reserve has always strived to reach this goal in order to enhance the entertainment and educational value to the public - many of whom would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience wildlife in this manner due to cost and distance constraints.