March 26, 2025

Namibia’s Rhino Frontier

I will never forget my first visit to Damaraland. In a sturdy, built-up Land Rover called Kangombe, we arrived at the camp well after sunset. Dinner was a boisterous affair. The camp staff sang around a campfire, and our guide sat with all the other guests at a long family-style dinner table, sharing tales of adventures in this rugged corner of the country.
March 26, 2025

A Journey to the Wild Beauty of Okonjima Nature Reserve

In Namibia’s central highlands lies the Okonjima Nature Reserve, a haven of untouched beauty. Spanning 22,000 hectares of pristine bushveld, this extraordinary reserve offers an immersive escape into nature. Just a short drive from Windhoek, Okonjima is celebrated not only for its breathtaking landscapes but also for its pioneering work in leopard conservation, an endeavour that draws wildlife enthusiasts from around the world.
March 10, 2025

Eyes of the Wild

When I close my eyes, I am transported back to a moment so profound, it feels as if it will remain etched in my soul forever. In that moment, I lose myself in a gaze. Eyes pierce right through me, stirring something deep within. Their markings are striking, yet blend seamlessly into the environment, as if they are part of the very air around them. And then, there is their unexpected playfulness.
March 6, 2025

The desert symphony

As I gaze upon the land from a distance, the vastness of the Namib stretches out endlessly before me. Up close, the landscape is an amalgamation of gravelly sand, tufts of dried grass and the stark silhouettes of blackened mountains. Somehow, these simple elements of nature harmonise in perfect balance. It is in the seamless orchestration of all these elements that the beauty is found. Much like a symphony where each note finds its place in a greater whole. In the desert, every individual detail is crucial to the song it sings collectively.
February 28, 2025

Serene and wide-open

Elephants playfully rolling in the mud on a scorching summer day – a huge herd, with several young ones of various ages. It is a sight of pure joy. I could watch them for hours, captivated by their carefree antics as they fling mud over their backs, the youngest sliding on its belly in the cool, soft earth, and the eager excitement palpable as they run to greet each other.
February 28, 2025

Restoring the Rhino Kingdom

Since its inception in 1993, the Black Rhino Custodianship Programme has positioned Namibia as a global leader in black rhino conservation. The custodians – dedicated individuals who care for these majestic creatures – are the unsung heroes behind this remarkable success story. Their unwavering commitment and resilience not only provide hope for the future of black rhinos but also play a crucial role in safeguarding our planet’s rich biodiversity. This programme is a powerful reminder that, even in the face of daunting challenges, we have the capacity to make a lasting, positive impact on the world around us.
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.
December 2, 2024

Guardians of the Green

In order to promote awareness of trees in Namibia, Luise Hoffmann, chair of the Botanical Society of Namibia (Botsoc) at the time, initiated an annual Tree Award in 2007. The aim of the award is to recognise individuals, companies and organisations that have made a special effort to save and protect Namibia’s indigenous trees or to plant trees and create awareness about Namibia's indigenous flora. Each year, we call for nominations from the public for worthy recipients. People from all over Namibia are encouraged to nominate deserving candidates. The committee assesses each nomination, and awards are presented at a ceremony held at the National Botanical Research Institute.
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!
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.
November 7, 2024

The land before time: Desert Rhino Camp

Explore the vast, rugged beauty of Damaraland at Desert Rhino Camp, where ancient landscapes meet conservation efforts to protect the last free-roaming desert-adapted black rhinos. Experience the camp's meticulous design and comfort, guided by expert trackers through an untouched wilderness. Journey into a timeless land where rare wildlife and local communities converge, celebrating a deep connection with nature that resonates across generations.
June 9, 2024

Tracking Namibia’s Endangered Black Rhinos: A Rugged Journey into Damaraland’s Wilderness

It’s a cloudy and crisp morning, still dark. The proverbial rooster has yet to crow. On an open game viewer we go slow and steady down Grootberg mountain. Just as the first light of dawn appears, a soft rain breaks. That is not ideal for rhino tracking but we remain optimistic, and soon enough the rising sun dries up the fine droplets, marking the start of a rugged journey into the habitat of Namibia’s endangered black rhino.
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.
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.
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.