September 1, 2022

RMB RIDE FOR RHINOS: Eight years of cycling for conservation

The RMB Ride for Rhinos is an annual cycling event aimed at creating awareness of the tireless yet determined combined patrols done by Save the Rhino (SRT) trackers, rhino rangers (members of the local communities) and members of the Namibian Police. The event not only gives riders a tiny taste of the hardships endured by these individuals but it is also a means of raising funds for the ongoing conservation efforts by SRT. Le Roux van Schalkwyk goes along on the adventure.
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June 21, 2023

The ‘Slow Travel’ Check List

Namibia is a destination to be savoured and enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Don’t rush through the vast vistas in order to tick as much as possible off your to-do list. Curate your itinerary, stay longer, explore more. Here is a list of ways to enjoy Namibia more thoroughly as part of our ‘Slow Travel’ theme for this issue.
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June 21, 2023

10 things you might not know about rhino conservation in Namibia

Namibia is a leader in rhino conservation, boasting the largest population of black rhinos in the world. Namibia's success is attributed to various efforts, including community-based initiatives, anti-poaching programs, and breeding schemes. Notably, Namibia’s pioneering “rhino trophy hunting” program generates significant revenue for conservation by allowing the hunting of a limited number of non-breeding animals. Programs like the Black Rhino Custodianship, government actions against wildlife trafficking, and the involvement of the tourism industry also contribute to rhino protection.
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June 25, 2023

30 years of putting Nature First at Ongava

Article 95 stipulates that the State shall actively promote and maintain the welfare of the people by adopting international policies aimed at, among others, according to Section 12 the “maintenance of ecosystems, essential ecological processes and biological diversity of Namibia and utilisation of living natural resources on a sustainable basis for the benefit of all Namibians, both present and future; [...]." This made Namibia one of the first countries to include provisions for environmental protection in its constitution.
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January 17, 2024

The Kavango-Zambezi transfrontier ELEPHANT SURVEY

The first flight to begin an elephant survey covering parts of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe took off from a dirt strip in Zimbabwe on 22 August 2022. The survey area, known as the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), hosts over half of Africa’s savanna elephants, which underlines the importance of the survey.
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January 17, 2024

At Home Under A Bushmanland Baobab

Bumpy roads often lead to the best destinations, especially when accompanied by dense bushveld all around and the sight of a baobab in the distance, protruding far above the treeline. This particular jeep track veers deep into the Nyae Nyae conservancy of Namibia’s northeast and leads us to a crescent koppie – in the nape of its bend a quintessential Bushmanland baobab – for the inauguration of the research base camp of the Pangolin Conservation and Research Foundation (PCRF).
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March 4, 2024

Slofari: Namibia allows you the time to s-l-o-w down

Slow travel is a mindful approach of taking the time to see less, but experience more. It is about exploring one or two regions rather than sprinting through an entire country merely to tick the boxes. Slow travel is about immersing yourself within a culture to better understand its people and their way of life. It is about partaking in authentic, community-led experiences with those who have the best interests of the environment at heart.
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June 4, 2024

Exploring Animal Movements: Unravelling the Rhythms of the Wild

Can a landscape exhale and inhale with the ebb and flow of life? Do animals adjust their movement patterns in response to shifts in resource availability? These fundamental questions regarding the characteristics of wilderness also extend to fenced areas and national parks. The evidence unequivocally confirms that animals pay little heed to man- made borders, whether they be physical fences or legally designated boundaries.
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June 6, 2024

Suricates: nature’s highly social little guards that are too cute for their own good

Standing on its hind legs, keeping balance with the help of its tail, and holding its front legs together against its chest and stomach, the little mammal scans the open grassland and the blue sky. Suddenly its eyes are fixed on something high above. It takes me some time to spot the small black silhouette high up in the sky, which turns out to be a vulture gliding across the firmament. Yet no alarm call sends the other members of the group scrambling for safety. The little guard seems to know that this silhouette does not mean danger.
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June 7, 2024

Rhino Guardianship Certificates: The future of sustainable conservation financing

In a pioneering move for conservation and sustainable finance, Namibia has introduced its first Nature Positive certificate through a collaborative effort between Save the Rhino Trust Namibia (SRT) and the innovative technology firm Wadappt. This groundbreaking initiative utilises blockchain technology to verify conservation efforts, marking a significant advancement in the fight against wildlife crime and habitat destruction.
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November 8, 2024

In the footsteps of giants

In the heart of Namibia’s northwestern Kunene Region, the 2024 RMB & Wilderness Ride for Rhinos event took a group of adventurers on a remarkable journey through the stunning landscapes of Damaraland. From 5-9 June, twenty enthusiastic mountain bikers, accompanied by an experienced crew, embarked on a four-day expedition through diverse terrains. This journey was not just an adventure, but a mission to raise funds and awareness for black rhino conservation and the communities that live and fight to protect this special species.
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November 8, 2024

Stop, snap and share

Join the citizen science initiative in Etosha National Park! Help researchers protect cheetahs and leopards by snapping and sharing your sightings of these iconic predators. Led by the Greater Etosha Carnivore Programme, this survey invites visitors to contribute photographs that will be analyzed using AI for individual identification, helping establish crucial population estimates. With each submission, citizen scientists aid in wildlife conservation and stand a chance to win a luxury stay at Ongava Game Reserve. Dive into this unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Namibia’s wildlife conservation efforts!
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November 13, 2024

Forging a natural masterpiece

There is a symphony that was written between water and rock millions of years ago. Carved into the depths of this land, canyons provide a look into the geological epic that unfolded, a view of the history of Earth and a mesmerising tapestry that showcases the enduring journey this landscape embarked on through the ages. Easily one of Africa’s most impressive geological formations is the Fish River Canyon. It is my first time visiting the canyon, and I am doing so in style, staying at the striking Fish River Lodge that boasts rooms on the western brim of the canyon, far away from the crowds that flock to Namibia’s second-largest tourist attraction.
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December 20, 2024

Tuxedoed treasures

There is a crisis unfolding in Namibian waters. The quintessentially cute African Penguin is facing imminent threat of extinction. This matters, not only because these adorable black and white waddling creatures are an emblem of African waters, but also because they fulfil a role in the ecosystem. Like with a Jenga tower, removing blocks risks the stability of the entire structure.
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December 21, 2024

Oceans of Insight – museum

Anchors, propellers, masts, winches and an artistic sundial are arranged to create an outdoor walkway that marks the beginning of your journey through time and all things maritime. As we step into the newly opened Maritime Museum in Lüderitz, we are about to explore a rich and fascinating past. This world-class tourist attraction celebrates the town’s seafaring heritage and its deep connection to the ocean. Having visited maritime museums around the globe, I can confidently say that this one is as captivating as its international counterparts. Housed within the restored historic Lüderitz Old Power Station on Dias Street, the museum spans five floors, taking visitors back in time while also highlighting contemporary interactions with the ocean.
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February 6, 2025

Ecowings: Safeguarding Namibia’s Wildlife Through Aerial Surveillance

Between 17 December 2024 and 7 January 2025, a collective of key conservation partners undertook a vital initiative in Damaraland to combat wildlife crime and strengthen conservation efforts. Through the collaborative Ecowings Namibia initiative, Dr Conrad Brain managed this festive season operation. Dr Brain leads conservation projects supported by Wilderness in Namibia as a member of the Wilderness Impact team. This aerial surveillance project aimed to deter poaching activities during a critical period, protect Namibia’s unique biodiversity, and foster community awareness about conservation.
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February 7, 2025

FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES: LAST MONTH TO ENTER THE WILDERNESS IMPACT CHALLENGE

February 2025 – The countdown is on for the Wilderness Impact Challenge, with just one month left to submit entries for this trailblazing conservation initiative. With a USD100,000 prize available to bring the winning idea to life, Wilderness is calling on innovators, researchers and organisations from around the world to put forward bold, scalable solutions that address human-wildlife conflict and promote long-term coexistence.
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February 12, 2025

Children in the Wilderness Inspires Namibia’s Future Conservation Leaders

February 2025 – Children in the Wilderness (CITW) Namibia recently hosted 60 young learners from seven schools across Namibia’s Kunene Region on an unforgettable six-day Eco-Camp in Ehi-Rovipuka Conservancy. Designed to inspire and educate the country’s next generation of environmental leaders, the camp provided an immersive experience in conservation, leadership, and adventure.
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