Namibia Conservation and a Once in a Lifetime Opportunity
Conservation of endangered species is vital and Namibia is known for its success and commitment in this field. Alongside the stunning landscapes of Namibia are several rare and endangered species and this one-off safari offers the opportunity to go behind the scenes of three conservation projects dedicated to their survival. Guests will travel with an expert guide throughout and will be directly contributing to the ongoing conservation work of each project. Many of these projects have relied on funding from the US to support their work and with this being withdrawn there is a real danger of these projects having to close, undoing decades worth of work.
The focus of this safari is on conservation in Namibia and you will meet personalities synonymous with this, all of whom have in one way or another been part of the great achievements in Namibia. From the scientists at Okonjima, working towards conservation through education to the dedicated and passionate field staff of the Save the Rhino Trust to the Desert Lion Project working to preserve the desert lion population; your personal encounters with these projects will make for a life enriching safari.
The itinerary
Your 12 nights in Namibia (3rd – 15th June 2025) combines four different safari areas and three different conservation projects. After a night in Windhoek you head to Okonjima Nature Reserve for three nights, home to the world-renowned AfriCat Foundation. You will go behind the scenes to learn more about the ecological research being undertaken on a variety of rare and endangered species, including cheetah and leopard.
The next two nights are spent in the remarkable Damaraland Region at Camp Doros. Exploring this area, tracking the endangered black rhino in conjunction with Save the Rhino Trust and visiting the Trust to learn about this organisation that has been responsible for saving the black rhino from extinction in Namibia.
Moving to an exclusive mobile camp in Kaokaland for the next three nights you will explore this fascinating and beautiful region. The camp will be set up in a location determined by the position of some desert lions to maximise your opportunity of seeing them. Searching for the desert adapted lions, possibly with Dr Flip Stander who runs the Desert Lion Project which protects a unique population of lions which have adapted to life in the harsh Namib Desert.
The next two nights are spent in Damaraland at Onduli Ridge where you will explore the ephemeral Aba Huab River valley to search for wildlife, especially the desert adapted elephants. If time allows you will also have a chance to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Twyfelfontein, home to Bushmen rock engravings.
Your last night (14th June) is spent back in Windhoek after a leisurely drive from Damaraland.
The Projects
The AfriCat Foundation
Located on the enclosed 55,000 acre Okonjima Nature Reserve, The AfriCat Foundation is on a mission to ensure a future for the large carnivores of Namibia. Founded in 1991 and created by re-wilding four former cattle farms and enclosing them with an electrified fence to keep wildlife in, as they are unsafe outside, and to prevent cattle coming in, with the specific intention to provide a safe habitat for Namibia’s wildlife.
AfriCat research in the Okonjima Nature Reserve is focused on the apex predators found here – leopard and brown hyena – and endangered species that occur in the Reserve. It is home to the highest density of leopards in Namibia and a healthy population of brown hyena. It is thus one of the best places in the country to see these normally shy and elusive nocturnal animals.
The reserve is home to many antelope species including eland, kudu, oryx, wildebeest, zebra, hartebeest, sable, waterbuck, springbok and impala. White rhino, giraffe, warthog and numerous smaller species such as black-backed jackal, steenbok, duiker and dik dik can also all be found on the reserve. Nocturnal species include bat-eared foxes, small-spotted genet, honey badgers, aardvark and the highly endangered African ground pangolin.
On your behind the scenes tour you will accompany a representative on conservation field work and research data collection. The exact activities will be decided locally but could include tracking pangolin and rhino, monitoring species by vehicle, biometric pangolin monitoring, checking of camera traps and processing the data, research presentations and in-depth discussions on the research and conservation strategies of the Foundation.
Scheduled research activities such as re-tagging or re-collaring of research individuals (possibly leopard, brown hyena and pangolin) will if at all possible be timed to take place during your visit and if you are particularly fortunate (no guarantee) and a new animal is found and enrolled in the research during your visit, you will be invited to be present for the initial assessment. This Behind the Scenes experience gives you exclusive backstage access which will allow you to witness the huge effort and total dedication that goes into making conservation at Okonjima such a success.
Save The Rhino Trust
Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) is an NGO that has been instrumental in the preservation of the rare, and endangered, desert adapted black rhino. During the 1970’s and 1980’s drought and rampant poaching drove the black rhino population to dangerously low numbers with fewer than 40 animals in Damaraland and fewer than 10 individuals in Kaokaland to the north. Save the Rhino Trust was established to reduce poaching and save these animals from the brink of extinction.
Namibia is home to the larger of two subspecies of the black rhinoceros found in southern Africa. The only population that remains in the wild, unfenced and outside reserves occupies an arid range in the western Kaokoveld. Their preferred habitat is the mountainous escarpment, but they follow ephemeral rivers into the northern Namib as well, especially when conditions are favourable after rains. They are the only black rhinoceros in Africa that are internationally recognized as a “desert group”. Like desert-adapted elephant, they cover great distances.
After three decades of work in collaboration with the Namibian government and communities, Namibia is now home to almost 35% of the world’s remaining black rhino population and 84% of the south-western subspecies. This has been achieved through the establishment of an extensive database documenting through photographic and life-history records, Kunene’s black rhinos. The continued threat posed by organised criminal gangs means it is essential that the intensive patrolling, and recording, continues to deter the poaching gangs.
Damaraland is a surprising refuge for desert adapted wildlife that may include elephants, giraffe, oryx, springbok and even some predators, though with any wildlife sightings in Namibia, its season depending and never guaranteed. The wildlife roams large tracks of unfenced desert landscapes and sightings can therefore be at times challenging, but part of the adventure of exploring this wild untouched gem of Namibia.
Desert Lion Project
Namibia supports a unique population of desert-adapted lions that survive in the harsh Namib Desert. The “Desert” lion is a prominent feature in Namibia and is highly valued, both aesthetically and financially, by the growing tourism industry. Namibia has received international recognition (e.g. CITES) for successful conservation efforts, such as the communal conservancy program, that led to significant increases in wildlife numbers, especially in the arid areas.
With the growing wildlife populations the conflict between lions and the local people has intensified as lions are killing livestock more regularity. Human-lion conflict is arguably the biggest threat to lions in Namibia, and elsewhere in Africa. There is need for proactive management of human-lion conflict to ensure the long-term conservation of the species. In 1998 Dr. Flip Stander started an intensive research project on the desert lions, termed The Desert Lion Conservation project was started in 1998 with the aim to collect sound ecological data, address human-lion conflicts, and to develop a conservation strategy.
Applied research and sound scientific data on lion movements and dispersal, and the ecological mechanisms that regulate the population are fundamental to this process. Lions are fitted with radio collars and are tracked and observed to record behaviour, movements, grouping patterns, reproduction and mortality. Lions are tracked using GPS and satellite technology and by vehicle.
Direct observations and monitoring lions in the field for extended periods are the primary means of collecting data. Lions over the age of two years are marked or radio collared, and individual records are kept of all lions in the population. Emphasis is placed on monitoring lions that disperse and occupy new habitats, and on those that live near local communities. Human-lion conflict is addressed by developing localised conflict management plans.
As a species, the lion is highly adaptive and resilient. Current research findings demonstrate that Desert lions can survive in extreme conditions. They do not need to drink water and feed on gemsboks, ostriches, and occasionally on seals. They breed rapidly under ideal conditions and are quick to expand into areas of suitable habitat. The value of the unique Desert lions to the Namibian tourism industry is of great significance. However, to ensure the long-term conservation of Desert lions, we need to monitor their population ecology and manage human-lion conflict.
Your Guide – Jason Nott
The Nott family are well-known in Namibia as ‘Nature Conservators’ and therefore Jason grew up surrounded by naturalists who instilled their love of the outdoors in him. After studying to get his diploma in Travel and Tourism Jason started his formal career in lodge management, during which time he discovered his true joy – sharing the wonders of Namibia with visitors.
Now a professional guide, Jason is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable birder and also an accomplished photographer. He is very personable and brings his passion for his country across to his guests, leaving them an abiding love for Namibia and its various inhabitants. He has a passion for wildlife and its protection, and a strong belief that this is best achieved through the development of communities.
He has many existing relationships with local communities that he has worked with all over the northwest, and this means that any guests he takes in to visit these communities are treated as family friends rather than just as visiting tourists. He is also an interesting and informative travelling companion and alongside his guiding work he helps to run the Conservation Travel Foundation for Ultimate Safaris, which is involved in several humanitarian and conservation initiatives around the country.
Dates and Rates
This once in a lifetime safari will take place in June 2025, with arrival into Namibia scheduled for 3rd June. The safari ends in Windhoek on the morning of 15th June and there is the opportunity to extend your trip further should you wish to.
The safari includes all accommodation, all transfers, all meals (excluding final dinner in Windhoek), entrance fees and excursions, English speaking naturalist guides Jason Nott for the duration of the safari, transportation in a luxury air-conditioned safari vehicle for your safari, most local drinks (premium brands excluded) and donations totalling £2,840 to the three projects visited. The total trip cost is £11,631 per person excluding all international and regional flights.
This is an incredible opportunity to get under the skin of three conservation projects in Namibia whilst also exploring this rich and beautiful land, and all in the company of an expert guide. Places are strictly limited to six people in three rooms and spaces, ensuing and intimate safari throughout. Please do contact Lucinda, for more information, or if you would like to discuss other conservation safari options. Please click here to take you through to a detailed itinerary.
