“A concept like this is only possible with the right partners. We have the contacts, the know-how and are acutely aware of what is needed to make a special trip. Our partners have the marketing power and reach to sell the concept, something which we will never have as an African inbound operator.” – Tristan Cowley
Who: Ultimate Safaris, Wilderness Travel, AfriCat Foundation & Save The Rhino Trust, Desert Lion Conservation
Website:
http://www.ultimatesafaris.na/
http://www.conservationtravelfoundation.org/conservation-safaris.html
http://www.wildernesstravel.com/trip/namibia/okonjima-damaraland-desert-lion-conservation-safari
Topics: Partnerships, Inbound Operator, Product Development, Investment, Non-Profits, Namibia, Lions, Impact
Project Summary:
The success Namibia has had with tourism goes hand-in-hand with conservation. Many consider Namibia is a conservation success story. To that end, Ultimate Safaris set about to create a trip that told Namibia’s conservation story and highlighted representative projects.
With one conservation-focused itinerary, which includes three departures and a total of 18 guests, Ultimate Safaris has found a way to create maximum impact to fund three different projects. Projects funded include the Desert Lion Project, AfriCat’s Annual Health Check, and Save the Rhino Trust. Ultimate Safaris has found the key to be to not commercialize their trips and create multiple departures, but to work intimately with an outbound tour operator who can sell limited departures. This allows Ultimate Safaris the ability to integrate key scientists into itineraries without causing a massive interruption of their work and research.
Project Background:
By keeping departures small, Ultimate Safaris was able to enlist Flip Standers to join the conservation safari for six days. Dr. Flip Stander is a legendary scientist who has been studying rare desert lions for more than thirty years. Stander founded Desert Lion Conservation (DLC) in 1998, since then the lion population has increased from 20 to about 130 today. Though, his name isn’t advertised on the itinerary, he is certainly a star personality, and adds immense value for travelers, no doubt encouraging or making them feel comfortable with their donation.
Recently a pride of 11 lions (one male, 2 females and 8 cubs) moved into the Huab Valley area near Twyfelfontein in Damaraland. Ultimate Safaris takes guests to this area on many of their safaris and believes the prospect of seeing desert adapted lions adds yet another unique experience to a visit to Namibia. This area has not had resident lions for as long as any of the local community members can remember so the recent arrival of this pride is really very special. However, this area also has a number of pastoralist communities living in it, and they are not trained or equipped to deal with the threat of wild lions. Funds are needed to assist with the prevention of human-wildlife conflict by implementing the ‘Lion Guardian’ concept, a concept developed by Ultimate, DLC and TOSCO. The ‘guardians’ will be individuals who will monitor lion movements and as result be able to warn farmers of their whereabouts as well as safari operators such as Ultimate Safaris. Funds required for this range between USD $3,000 – $12,500 depending on the type of project as it includes the building of lion proof kraal, telemetry equipment as well VHF radios.
Project Implementation:
Though this trip takes place in a more remote part of Namibia, the rewards are greater for travelers. Ultimate Safaris made sure to structure the itinerary around conservancy-owned or conservancy private sector joint venture establishments, something that was easier than might be in other countries given Nambia’s iconic communal conservancy model.
With the news of lions entering a new territory (one that Ultimate Safaris frequented), Ultimate Safaris teamed up with Desert Lion Conservation to fund the ‘Lions Guardian’ concept.
Wilderness Travel has been extremely transparent in costing these trips, the significant donations are broken out of the trip cost (for complete transparency) and most of them are tax deductible. The cost is NAD$10,000 per person (or about US$800).
After 12 months arranging logistics and getting firm commitments from the non-profits involved, the trip was marketed to Wilderness Travel’s audience.
Project Outcomes & Conclusions:
The financial result will fund Desert Lion Project’s annual costs (USD $20,000), the AfriCat Annual Health Check (USD $15,000) and Save the Rhino Trust (USD $2,000).
Given the success of this year’s trip, Ultimate Safaris plans to continue the same number of departures in 2016, which are already sold out.
Proceeds will also fund ‘lion money’ payments to the conservancies living with lions, to help fund “guardians” who help monitor lion movements as well as payments to residents who have lost livestock due to lions.
Photo © Ultimate Safaris
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