Ultimate Safaris support leads to re-opening of Conservancy-owned community business
After more than a decade of closure and a
retreat to a state of full disrepair, thanks to a financial investment of
nearly N$ 1 million from Ultimate Safaris’ Conservation Travel Foundation and
the Community Conservation Fund of Namibia, the Doro !Nawas Conservancy-owned Granietkop
Campsite is once again open and ready to welcome tourists.
The agreement to redevelop the campsite,
which is built around an instantly recognisable granite outcrop along the D2612
in the heart of Damaraland, was originally signed in 2019 when Ultimate Safaris
approached the Doro !Nawas Conservancy to develop Onduli Ridge in the area. While
plans for the campsite’s redevelopment had to be put on hold with the arrival
of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, and the resulting decrease in funding
available right across the tourism industry, the completely refurbished campsite
will be hosting its grand re-opening on Thursday 15 August 2024.
While guests need to provide their own
camping gear and food, each of the 5 private campsites, set among the granite
boulders at the base of the granite outcrop, is equipped with a shower, wash
basin, flush toilet, food prep area, fireplace, and a raised braai. Much
attention has been paid to ensuring the campsite operates on a minimal impact
basis, with lighting provided by a sophisticated solar plant, and an on-site
solid waste management system which ensures all waste is sorted and processed
on-site before being transported to recycling depots in Windhoek.
With easy access to surrounding highlights,
including the Burnt Mountain, Organ Pipes, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site
of Twyfelfontein, a brand-new website (www.granietkop.com) with online booking
functionality, and staff training and booking and management support being
provided by Ultimate Safaris’ Travel Conservation Foundation, Ultimate Safaris
CEO, Tristan Cowley says they are “really delighted to get this
conservancy-owned business back up running,” expressing his hope that “before
too long it will be contributing significantly to livelihood of the members of
the Doro !Nawas Conservancy”.
Enriching Lives
Ultimate Safaris is privileged to be able to operate in pristine wilderness areas. We believe that the future of the environment and the natural inhabitants of these regions lies in the hands of the communities living there, and that this means they must be involved in the custodianship of their surroundings. The Conservation Travel Foundation is Ultimate Safaris’ registered non-profit organisation and it fully supports these ideals.
Rare And Endangered Species Trust
Saving the ‘Forgotten Five’, Africa’s lesser known creatures!
Giraffe Conservation Foundation
Preventing a silent extinction of one of Africa’s most threatened species!
Africat Foundation
Conserving the world’s largest population of cheetah!
North West Human Wildlife Conflict Management Plan
Finding the balance for the sake man and beast!
Desert Lion Project
Protecting the world’s only growing lion population that lives outside of a National Park!
Rhino Ranger Programme
Empowering communities for conservation through rural employments and training!
Save The Rhino Trust
Conserving Africa’s only free-roaming population of black rhino!
Bunny Cottage
Care for urban orphans in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city!
Little Bugs
Self-help initiative for a marginalized desert community!
Grootberg Primary School
Development of future conservationists by supporting education!
Namib Tsaris Conservancy
Returning the land to nature!
Doro !Nawas Conservancy
Turning the tide on joint venture tourism by improving profits for land custodians!
//Huab Conservancy
Conservation Travel impacting on marginalized communities!
Lionscape Coalition
Using Conservation Travel partnerships to effect conservation change!
Pack For Conservation
The perfect gift/donation for guests to make when travelling to Namibia!
