Running nature reserves is about much more than operating lodges. Across ONE Namibia, a great deal of work happens behind the scenes every day — protecting wildlife, maintaining infrastructure and caring for the landscapes in our care. Here are three recent examples.
Wildlife Rescue at Waterberg
Did you know that a section of Namibia’s Eastern National Water Supply System runs directly through Waterberg Wilderness? The open concrete canal carries water from the Otavi karst area towards central Namibia. For wildlife, however, it can become a dangerous trap. Animals that fall into the steep-sided canal often cannot get out again.
Our rangers therefore patrol the canal every day, while electric fencing has been installed along both sides. Before this system was put in place, our team had to rescue around 20 animals per month, many of which had already died from exhaustion. Today, that number has dropped to roughly two — although smaller animals such as reptiles, geckos and mice remain particularly vulnerable.
Accidents still happen, as they did recently with this giraffe. Fortunately, our team was able to help it out of the canal, and it walked away unharmed.
Conservation Needs Good Infrastructure
Upgrading and maintaining our wildlife fencing is an important part of protecting our nature reserves.
Work continues on upgrading our fencing — an important investment in the long-term protection of wildlife and the responsible management of our nature reserves.
Fences may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about conservation, but good conservation also depends on good infrastructure. Across large nature reserves, maintaining boundaries and protecting wildlife is a continuous task.
400 Kilometres of Roads
We recently added a new front loader to our fleet. Across our properties, approximately 400 km of farm and access roads need to be maintained each year. These roads are essential to our operations, providing access for guests and staff as well as our conservation teams.
Investments like these often happen behind the scenes, but they are necessary to keep our nature reserves accessible, protected and properly managed.
Our new front loader will help maintain around 400 km of farm and access roads across our properties.
Across our properties, we continue to invest in rhino protection, anti-poaching, habitat conservation, sustainable farming, local employment and infrastructure. From maintaining roads and fences to protecting wildlife and conserving natural habitats, these activities are closely connected.
Tourism helps make this work possible.
