Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) focusses on Human-Wildlife Conflict Management, to allow the people of Namibia to live in harmony with wildlife and has pioneered one of Africa’s leading models of community-based natural resource management.

A non-profit organisation focused on education of Namibia’s youth on research projects for long term sustainability of Namibia’s wildlife in their natural habitat on the private Okonjima Nature Reserve. You are a part of this conservation initiative when you stay at any of the lodges on the private Okonjima Reserve and when visiting the AfriCat Foundation Visitors Centre.

A non-profit organisation that focuses solely on saving the cheetahs and the environment they live in, in order for them to thrive and to continue to be able to call the central area of Otjiwarongo, in which they operate, the ‘Cheetah Capital of the World’. Visiting the day centre, joining in on an activity or staying at one of their lodges on the CCF property means contributing to a healthy population of the world’s fastest land animal.

An initiative to combat wildlife poaching, specifically of black rhino, on the 37,000 hectare private Onguma Reserve by integrating a fully equipped, full time Anti-Poaching Unit. When you visit Onguma, you are not only able to experience wildlife in a natural environment but help to protect it. You can become an Onguma Guardian, subscribe to their YouTube channel and follow them on social media to spread awareness.

When you stay at Mowani Mountain Camp or Camp Kipwe, know that you are making a difference in the conservancy, where people, wildlife and the environment can thrive together. Beyond the conservancy they support the Desert Lion Project, a small non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of the desert-adapted lions.

Based at Anderssons at Ongava, the research centre aims to make a difference in biodiversity and conservation in Namibia and Africa as a whole through cutting-edge technology and field-based studies to learn how best to support the natural environment. You can visit the centre during your stay and be a part of putting “Nature First”.

Naankuse Primary School - Located at the Naankuse Sanctuary, established in 2009, the school aims to provide free education to the children of Naankuse where the wildlife, conservation and sustainability for an integral part of the curriculum. You can visit the school and make donations.

Naankuse Helping Hands Project - Based in Namibia’s capital city of Windhoek, this project aids humanitarian efforts and consists of two day cares and a rehabilitation centre for children with special needs.

Naankuse Lifeline Clinic - Located in the eastern rural areas of Namibia the clinic services up to 3,500 patients annually. They specifically focus on combatting tuberculosis and malnutrition within the San communities. This is through clinic based care and outreaches where San communities do not have access to medical care due to their remote locations.

An initiative, founded in August 2012, to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the Onguma Nature Reserve, supporting the local Oshivelo community by providing jobs and income while protecting the natural habitat. Oshivelo Farm is a 500 hectare vegetable farm, one of the top five vegetable producers in the country, located on the borders of Etosha National Park, Oshivelo township and Onguma Reserve. They currently employ 180 local people on a permanent basis of which up to 80% are woman and an additional 100 people in season. Oshivelo Farm also provides vegetables to the lodges, local school and others in need.

The Naankuse Forest Conservation Revegetation Project - A conservation project that focuses on conserving the native forests of Namibia from maintaining it to rehabilitating degraded areas. In partnership with the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, the Naankuse Forest Conservation Revegetation Project constructs economically viable and sustainable nurseries and replants native vegetation providing employment, training and education in local communities.

Research Projects at Neuras - Currently they are working on studies of human-carnivore conflict focusing on black-backed jackal as well as carrying out a population study on the Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra and dietary analysis of leopard in the area. The main aim is to engage with and educate local farmers on livestock management to ensure the survival of Namibia’s leopard population.

From Kanaan Desert Retreat, this project focuses on the study of spotted hyenas of the Namib Desert to update the population density and distribution maps for this species in south-west Namibia which allows for better navigation and elimination of conflict between carnivores and the local farmers.

A partnership between the Naankuse Foundation and Zannier Hotels to create a 9,000 hectare reserve just outside of Windhoek that focuses on the conservation of wildlife and the regulation of flora to protect biodiversity and threatened species. They have relocated and reintroduced endemic species aiming to preserve the natural life cycle as it is intended.

A 25,000 hectare reserve specifically focused on animal conflicts. A relocation project to reintroduce African Wild Dogs and Lions from Naankuse to Timbila and the related research efforts to manage such. In partnership with the Naankuse Foundation.

All zebra at Hobatere are the near-endemic Hartmann’s mountain zebra, which are classified by the IUCN as vulnerable. Biologist, Morris Gosling conducts individual-based research and stripe patterns to identify individual zebra. These records are then used to monitor population trends and the details of social life among the zebras through the use of images of the right side of the zebra’s body along with a date and a location. You can be a part of the research just by snapping a photo of any zebras you see on the Hobatere Reserve and submitting to l.m.gosling@ncl.ac.uk

The Puros Conservancy, established in May 2000 and the Sesfontein Conservancy, established in July 2003 together make up more than 6,000 square kilometres. The majority of the population in this area are Ovahimba and Ovaherero people. Shipwreck Lodge recruits staff from these conservancies in order to support the local communities and they also have 4x4 vehicles to assist the conservancies with wildlife and environmental management. A set fee of 8% of the long turnover is paid in monthly fees to the conservancies, which means that just by staying at Shipwreck Lodge you are contributing.

For over 15 years Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, in partnership with Africa Foundation, has been supporting a meal programme for the children of P.A. Schmidt Primary School in the Maltahöhe community. Along with donations and contributions by lodge guests, they continue to provide meals for the children in a community with vulnerabilities.

TOSCO (Tourism Supporting Conservation) is the leading organisation in Namibia promoting responsible travel. They offer tourism businesses the platform from which to link travel with positive conservation outcomes throughout the country in support of local communities in poverty alleviation and rural economic development.

This project aims to build a more resilient, sustainable and inclusive tourism and conservation economy. From the NamibRand Nature Reserve, this project supports the Wolwedans Foundation. For every stay at any of the Wolwedans properties, a sustainability levy is included towards the 5 C’s: Conservation, Commerce, Community, Culture and Consciousness within the NamibRand Nature Reserve.

Gondwana Collection Namibia promotes nature conservation and social commitment at all of its properties throughout the country. Re-claiming farmlands into reserves and reintroducing wildlife is a large part of their focus whilst also creating careers for the local communities and ensuring eco-friendly hospitality. This is done through solar power, water recycling plants, responsible waste management systems, sustainable construction methods and self-sustaining farming. Gondwana CareTrust is all about making a sustainable impact by running projects and supporting organisations. This Trust has been involved in providing meals to hungry communities, donating school supplies, planting trees and more.