Conservation at Onguma
- Conservation
- Conservation at ONguma
In the early 1990s, black rhino populations had declined by over 95%, with fewer than 2,500 individuals remaining in the wild.
Our Conservation Story
Onguma is a working conservation reserve. Spanning 35,970 hectares on the eastern boundary of Etosha National Park, the reserve operates with a clear responsibility to the wildlife, habitat, and communities that depend on it. Onguma has been an official Black Rhino Custodian in partnership with Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism since 2003.
Black Rhino Custodianship
In the early 1990s, black rhino populations had declined by over 95%, with fewer than 2,500 individuals remaining in the wild. Namibia’s Black Rhino Custodianship Programme, launched in 1993, was established to address this crisis by relocating breeding populations to secure private and communal reserves committed to their long-term protection.
Onguma has been a proud custodian since 2003. Alongside its black rhino population, the reserve also supports a thriving population of white rhinos, contributing to the protection of both species for future generations.
The Anti-Poaching Unit
Rhino poaching has become increasingly sophisticated, driven by organised criminal networks operating across southern Africa. To counter this, Onguma operates a dedicated Anti-Poaching Unit, active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The team patrols the reserve, monitors wildlife movements, gathers intelligence, conducts fence inspections, and responds to threats at any time of day or night.
Since the APU has been operational on Onguma, poaching instances have decreased significantly. Poachers have been apprehended on multiple occasions and evidence collected has assisted in successful prosecutions.
For the rangers involved, the work is personal.
“If we didn’t protect them, the next generation would never know them. They would only exist in history.”
The Conservation Levy
Every guest who stays at Onguma contributes a Conservation Levy as part of their visit. This levy directly funds:
- Anti-poaching patrols and rhino dehorning
- Wildlife monitoring and veterinary interventions
- Annual game counts and species relocations
- Habitat restoration and sustainable land-use practices
- Long-term research and ecological monitoring
- Eco-conscious infrastructure
- Staff development and community upliftment
Your stay at Onguma is not simply a safari. It is a direct contribution to the protection of one of Namibia’s most important wilderness areas.
Every guest at Onguma contributes a small Conservation Levy as part of their stay. This is not just a fee, it is an investment in safeguarding one of Namibia’s most vital ecosystems.
Conservation & Community
Onguma’s conservation model recognises that protecting wildlife depends as much on people as it does on land. The reserve provides stable employment and skills development for people from surrounding communities, creating a shared investment in the health of the reserve.
As Reserve Manager Pieter van den Berg explains: “Just paying a decent salary makes a big difference. There is money to feed their children, build a house, and send their kids to school. At the same time, they want to protect this place because they know it is feeding their families.”
The reserve’s commitment extends beyond employment. Through projects such as Oshivelo Farming, fresh produce is supplied to both the reserve and surrounding communities, creating additional economic opportunities while improving access to affordable food.
How Your Visit Makes a Difference
Every wildlife sighting logged by a guide, every conservation levy paid, and every respectful action taken on the reserve strengthens Onguma’s ability to protect this wilderness. Guests are not passive observers here. They are participants in a conservation effort that has been running for over two decades and that depends on continued support to keep going.
As Onguma guide Liberty puts it: “Your stay here is not just about beautiful accommodation and great meals. You are making a difference while being on holiday.”
At Onguma, every guest becomes part of a living conservation legacy. Your visit ensures that the work of protecting this extraordinary reserve and everything that calls it home, continues for generations to come.
