NamibRand Nature Reserve is registered as a Section 21 “Association not-for-gain” and is, hence, philanthropic. All land is held by independent companies, trusts or individuals, each having their own title deed and availing their land for conservation, with nothing in return – bar the joy of being part of something bigger…

From the outset, tourism at NamibRand Nature Reserve was seen as a means to an end and not the purpose. The reserve finances itself through low-impact, high-revenue tourism by allocating limited concession agreements to independent operators. Concessionaires collect conservation levies on behalf of the reserve. Wolwedans is one of five such concessionaires and is simultaneously a landowner. 

The not-for-gain status of the reserve decouples tourism from conservation, albeit the financial lifeline of the reserve. Since landowners have no direct monetary benefit, the future of the reserve is safeguarded and will never be overcrowded by tourism. In fact, the governing Articles of Association restrict the density of infrastructure development, limiting each camp to 25 beds, guaranteeing guests 1,000 hectares per bed.