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namibrand nature reserve

The NamibRand Nature Reserve is a private nature reserve located in south-western Namibia, approximately 500 kms from Windhoek and 60 kms south of Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, and Sesriem. It originated in 1984 as the dream of Albi Brückner (R.I.P. 08 December 2016), which was to extend desert frontiers by integrating a large number of former livestock farms and developing a wildlife sanctuary. To date, the initiative has rehabilitated 17 former livestock farms into a single, continuous natural habitat to help protect and conserve the unique ecology and wildlife of the south-west Namib Desert.

Conserving the pro-Namib – the area along the eastern edge of the Namib Desert – is critically important in order to facilitate seasonal migratory wildlife routes and to protect biodiversity. It is probably the largest private nature reserve in southern Africa, extending over an area of more than 200,000 hectares (500,000 acres). It shares a 100km border with the Namib-Naukluft National Park in the west and is bordered in the east by the imposing Nubib Mountains. Virtually all facets of the Namib Desert are represented on the Reserve – sand and gravel plains, and stretches of savanna alternating with mountain ranges, inselbergs, and vegetated dune belts.

In 1992, the NamibRand was registered as a non-profit private nature reserve. All landowners belonging to the Reserve have signed agreements and adopted a constitution which sets the land aside for conservation – now and in the future with 15% of the total area set aside as wilderness.

NamibRand Nature Reserve is hailed as a model for private conservation in southern Africa as it demonstrates holistic biodiversity conservation balanced with financial sustainability. Low-impact ecotourism is a means for financing conservation efforts: five tourism concessions have been awarded, each of which pays a daily, per-bed fee to the Reserve. The funds generated through these conservation levies enable the Reserve to be financially self-sustaining.

For more information about the NamibRand, visit http://www.namibrand.com/.