Naturally Namibia

The AfriCat Foundation was established to contribute to the conservation of Namibia’s wildlife, in particular carnivores and endangered species. Based in the 220km2 Okonjima Nature Reserve, the AfriCat Foundation conducts research into the altered ecology of wildlife in an enclosed protected area in order to support the creation and management of protected areas as a strategy for conservation. An estimated 42% of Namibia’s landmass is under some form of conservation management, including private reserves, such as the Okonjima Nature Reserve, and Namibia’s biodiversity strategy recognizes the contribution of conservation to both biodiversity and economic development. The partnership between the Okonjima Lodges, the Okonjima Nature Reserve and the AfriCat Foundation is a demonstration of the symbiosis between conservation and tourism.

10 years ago, Namib Sky Balloon Safaris created a trust to help the community in the Sossusvlei area and founded “Little Bugs”, the first Early Childhood Development and Primary school in the area. Beginning with 4 local children and Denis and Andreia young daughter, Little Bugs now miraculously hosts up to 50 kids, fetching them by bus every day and driving them back after school, doing over 100km within the Sossusvlei area in order to ensure all children have access to education.