Conservation Chronicles

Research Insights

Wildlife Encounters

Guest Adventures

Ongava Through Their Lens

Behind the Scenes

Dive into the efforts and initiatives dedicated to conserving our precious natural resources. From habitat restoration and wildlife protection to sustainable practices and community engagement, our conservation chronicles highlight the ongoing work to protect our environment. Learn about the challenges we face, the successes we achieve, and the passionate individuals who drive these vital efforts to ensure a thriving ecosystem for future generations.

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As part of its long-term conservation vision, Ongava continues to expand its protected wilderness. 

Expanding Ongava's Conservation Landscape

Conservation is about more than protecting what already exists. It is about creating space for nature to thrive.

Every hectare restored, every wildlife corridor strengthened and every landscape protected contributes to a healthier future for wildlife, for ecosystems, and for the people who depend on them. At Ongava, this long-term vision continues to shape every decision we make.

Bordering Etosha National Park, Ongava has long shown that conservation and responsible tourism can work hand in hand. Expanding the reserve is a natural extension of that belief.

The expansion will grow Ongava's protected conservation landscape by approximately 150 square kilometres, bringing the total protected area to around 450 square kilometres: space for wildlife to move, establish territory and respond to the seasons as they always have.

Wildlife does not recognise fences or property boundaries.

As populations grow, particularly iconic species such as black and white rhinoceros, connected landscapes become increasingly important. Larger protected areas allow animals to move more freely, strengthen habitat connectivity, and support ecosystems that are better equipped to adapt as conditions change. In expanding its conservation landscape, Ongava is protecting not only individual species, but the natural processes that allow entire ecosystems to thrive.

For guests, this growing wilderness deepens what already makes an Ongava safari so memorable.

Expansive landscapes, abundant wildlife and an extraordinary sense of space create encounters that feel authentic, unhurried and deeply personal, whether you're watching elephants gather at a waterhole, tracking rhino through the bush, or simply taking in the vast Namibian horizon. Every stay, too, contributes directly to the conservation of the wilderness you've come to experience.

Protecting nature is never a finished task but it is at the heart of Ongava's work: that meaningful conservation demands long-term thinking, collaboration and an ongoing commitment to restoring and protecting wild places. Each milestone builds on more than three decades of dedication to Namibia's natural heritage.

For more than thirty years, Ongava has shown that tourism can be a genuine force for conservation.

Expanding protected wilderness is about more than the size of a reserve on a map. It is about a lasting legacy: one where wildlife can move freely, ecosystems remain connected, and future generations can still discover the beauty of Namibia's wild places.

Because every landscape protected today creates more room for nature to thrive tomorrow.

Photographer: Venture Media | Olwen Evans

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At Ongava, conservation is never a backdrop, it is our story. Ongava’s rhinos stand as symbols of resilience and hope. Their presence is both a gift and a responsibility. One carried with deep dedication by everyone who calls Ongava home.

Ongava’s Rhinos: The Heartbeat of the Reserve 

In a world where biodiversity loss continues to threaten ecosystems and communities alike, Ongava’s commitment to conservation has taken on an inspiring new form through the restoration, rehabilitation, and celebration of Namibia’s indigenous plant life. Nestled within the shared campus of Ongava Research Centre (ORC) and Anderssons at Ongava, this effort is quietly transforming the landscape into a living library of Namibia’s botanical heritage.

Rooted in Restoration: Ongava’s Indigenous Plant Rehabilitation Project


Since its inception in 1993, the Black Rhino Custodianship Programme has positioned Namibia as a global leader in black rhino conservation. The custodians – dedicated individuals who care for these majestic creatures – are the unsung heroes behind this remarkable success story. Their unwavering commitment and resilience not only provide hope for the future of black rhinos but also play a crucial role in safeguarding our planet’s rich biodiversity. This programme is a powerful reminder that, even in the face of daunting challenges, we have the capacity to make a lasting, positive impact on the world around us.


Ongava’s role in rhino conservation

Restoring the Rhino Kingdom

Central to Ongava is our unwavering commitment to conservation. Join us as we delve into the relentless efforts of our conservation team —protecting the endangered species in our care, restoring landscapes to create more natural habitats, and championing sustainable practices.

Conservation Chronicles