

Local Partnership/Conservancy News Updated: 10/01/2009
Despite its abundance elsewhere in the country, wildlife in the most
northerly regions of Namibia sadly suffered widescale destruction
during the prolonged war between South African occupying forces
and SWAPO. Following the cessation of fighting and subsequent
Namibian independence in 1990, the Government is now actively
setting up Conservancies throughout Namibia so that local people
may benefit from tourism.
Kunene River Lodge is in a newly formed Conservancy and, as the
only tourist destination in the area, it is at present the only contributor.
The funds raised are intended for the local population, with one of the
long term aims being to encourage the re-introduction of wildlife to the
area, in turn bringing in sustainable tourism.
August / September 2008 - The First Game Release
During August and September a relatively large group of animals was
transferred from Etosha National Park and successfully released by
the Ondoto River, about 30kms from Kunene River Lodge. In total,
100 Mountain Zebra and 27 Giraffe were released and now roam
the area freely. The Giraffe were mostly youngsters and some were
fitted with radio collars to enable their movements to be tracked and
their progress to be monitored remotely.
A week or so later a herd of 44 Kudu from a private reserve was
released in the same area. With virtually no predators in the vicinity,
these new residents are expected to flourish and increase their
numbers. If successful, it is to be hoped that further game releases
will take place, forming perhaps the most visible contribution of the
newly formed Conservancy to the area. All our Guests will be
contributing indirectly to the ongoing success of this venture.
Latest Wildlife News
The Conservancy has now appointed local game scouts who are
equipped with directional hand-held aerials which they are using to
track the giraffe. Reports suggest that the aerials are working quite
well, although normally limited to line-of-sight detection, so the scouts
first have to climb a hill, then follow up any signal they can find from
there. Usually signals can be picked up within 2km or so from the
collars. It's good that the scouts are keen!
We will publish more news on the wildlife in general, and giraffe
progress in particular, as and when we get it.
The FA Cup - Himba Style
Another recent innovation, directly involving the local community, saw
the first ever soccer match between teams from KRL and the local
village. The match took place in January 2007, about 5km away in
Otjimuhaka, creating considerable interest and enthusiasm amongst
everyone in the area. The KRL team won.
Since that first game many soccer matches have taken place against
local teams including Ehomba School who soundly beat KRL!
Recently the KRL team went to Sesfontein to take part in a Northern
Conservancy Soccer Tournament which generated a great deal of
enthusiasm.