Kaokohimba Safaris strives towards finding
a sustainable balance between the needs
of local communities, the environment and tourism
in north-western Namibia
By assisting communities to develop sustainable
and self sufficient livelihoods
By creating an awareness of the sensitivity
of indigenous culture and the environment
amongst all stakeholders
BACKGROUND
Kaokohimba Safaris (est. 1989) is a Namibian tour operator conducting personalised
safaris with a maximum number of eight guests. The emphasis of all our safaris is on
providing a tangible experience and an understanding of the environment and people of
north-western Namibia. Kaokohimba Safaris has been based permanently in Kaokoland in
the Kunene Region since 1992. Camp Syncro in the Marienfluss Valley creates our logistic
base as well as providing accommodation for our guests. In addition, Kaokohimba Safaris
established and continues to manage the public campsite at the Epupa Falls. The dedication
to minimise the negative impacts of tourism on environment and culture has led Kaokohimba
Safaris to become increasingly involved with local communities, creating tourism awareness
and providing a broad range of assistance.
While tourism still provides an important source of income for Kaokohimba Safaris today,
the emphasis of our activities has shifted to community work. Kaokohimba Safaris collaborates
with and assists a number of NGOs in the field of nature conservation and community development
and has over many years established excellent relations with community leaders, headmen and
councillors, local business people and individual community members. The permanent base in
Kaokoland allows us to provide continued follow up assistance to all our initiatives, laying
the groundwork for long term success.
PROJECTS
Numerous projects and activities bear witness to Kaokohimba Safaris' genuine commitment to
practical community involvement and development. These include:
In cooperation with the Namibia Community Based Tourism Association (NACOBTA) Kaokohimba Safaris was instrumental in designing, building and developing the Okarohombo Community Campsite in the Marienfluss Valley. While the Campsite is now operated by the community, Kaokohimba Safaris continues to assist with its management and maintenance.
Kaokohimba Safaris has initiated a basket-making project in the Marienfluss Valley, involving mainly the women of the Okapupa community. The project is supported and guided by the Rössing Foundation. Traditional OvaHimba baskets, made from makalani palm leaves, are delivered to Camp Syncro to be graded and purchased by Kaokohimba Safaris on a cash basis. Kaokohimba Safaris regularly delivers the baskets to Mud Hut Trading, the Rössing Foundation's craft outlet at the Namibia Craft Centre in Windhoek. Over the past five years the project has created a direct income of approximately N$ 61 000.00 for the local community. At present, Kaokohimba Safaris is exploring the possibility of establishing links with international agencies in order to create a wider range of permanent sales outlets.
In 1995, Kaokohimba Safaris established the Marienfluss Development Fund, which is administered by the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF). Donations from guests of Kaokohimba Safaris, as well as fixed contributions from professional photographers and film teams working in the Marienfluss Valley have to date accumulated N$ 60 000.00.
In cooperation with IRDNC, Kaokohimba Safaris has been instrumental in preparing the Marienfluss community for the establishment of the Marienfluss Conservancy. Kaokohimba Safaris has been negotiating specific conditions for the Concervancy as well as enlightening the community about all possible implications.
Through the support of a private donation, Kaokohimba Safaris is initiating an environmental education project, which will show and discuss videos on wildlife to communities in the Marienfluss Valley. The project aims to create an awareness of the value of wildlife and an understanding of environmental issues, and in the long term prepare communities for the reintroduction of big game to the Valley.
With the support of the Wildlife Society of Namibia, Kaokohimba Safaris has started an environmental project, which involves the community and tourism camp owners situated at Epupa. Two youngsters from the local community have been employed to clean up the entire area around the Epupa waterfalls, all camps and campsites, as well as the informal settlement on a daily basis. It is envisaged that contributions from visitors will eventually cover the salaries of the two Himba men.
As the result of a proposal by Kaokohimba Safaris in 2000, the NNF funded the first ever field guide training course at Epupa. Ten participants from Opuwo, Epupa, Purros and Sesfontein attended the two-week course, presented by the Namibian Academy for Tourism and Hospitality (NATH).
Supported by the Rössing Foundation and funded by the NNF, Kaokohimba Safaris initiated and built a craft outlet at Epupa. The outlet allows local producers to display and sell their products in a positive environment.
Since being permanently based in the Marienfluss, Kaokohimba Safaris carry out regular maintenance work on the roads in the Valley. This has prevented a network of unnecessary tracks, which create unpleasant scars in an otherwise beautifully unspoilt landscape. Kaokohimba Safaris has supplied all machinery and carried all running costs of the work. Kaokohimba Safaris recently approached the Wildlife Society of Namibia to support these efforts. The Wildlife Society suggested the establishment of a Road Maintenance Fund, to which all visitors to the Marienfluss Valley are requested to contribute. While funding is needed to cover the increasing maintenance costs, the ultimate aim is to purchase a grader in order to implement an effective long term road maintenance programme in the larger Marienfluss/Hartmann Valley area.
Mobile Government clinics rarely reach remote parts of the region such as the Marienfluss Valley. In the absence of formal medical treatment, Kaokohimba Safaris renders medical assistance to communities on a permanent basis, and continues to obtain and stock effective medicines for the treatment of all common ailments.
CONTRIBUTIONS
Community work requires continued financial, material and skill sharing assistance.
Intensive networking on all levels and with all stakeholders is imperative when attempting
to initiate and maintain projects that truly involve local communities.
Kaokohimba Safaris is grateful for all contributions to its projects.
