Discovering Conservation Through Collaboration: From Namibia to Nepal

Namibia has long stood as a beacon of conservation tourism, and at the heart of this movement is Ongava Game Reserve. More than just a safari destination, Ongava is a living example of how tourism and conservation can thrive together. I have had the privilege of experiencing Ongava both as a curious guest and as an associate research scientist at the Ongava Research Center, an experience that has shaped my understanding of what’s possible when passionate people work together for wildlife.

In 2024, while advising a small, community-driven snow leopard conservation program in Nepal, we reached a crossroads. Interest was growing in using tourism to support conservation in the Himalayas, and I knew we could learn from some of the best. A plan was formed: bring my Nepali colleagues to Namibia to see, firsthand, how Ongava has successfully woven tourism and conservation into the fabric of its success.

Fast forward to June 2025. Ongava’s gracious team welcomed three of my closest Nepali conservation partners. Our time together was brief, but the impact was lasting. We explored every corner of Ongava, staying at the inviting lodge where thoughtful details make guests feel at home, and spending hours at the world-class Visitor Centre, a masterclass in storytelling and conservation messaging. The highlight of our visit was engaging with the bright minds at the Ongava Research Center, where we witnessed how science and tourism work hand in hand to safeguard Namibia’s iconic wildlife.

For my colleagues, the experience was transformative. One reflected, “I’ll never forget how Ongava so effortlessly blended a thriving business with conservation that truly matters.” Another was struck by the openness of the team, who generously shared knowledge big and small. Their notebooks and their imaginations were full of ideas to bring home to the Himalayas.

For me, this visit was a reaffirmation that travel, at its best, is about connection. It is about learning from one another, sharing what we know, and building something greater than ourselves. As the saying goes, teamwork really does make the dream work. And sometimes, all it takes is a collaborative journey, like the one we shared at Ongava, to turn inspiration into action.