Conservation

Namibia is often described as the leader in wildlife and habitat conservation in Africa. A well-earned and enviable reputation. Wildlife ownership, its sustainable use and stewardship are all encouraged by Government. As such, wildlife and its habitat are seen as hugely important assets well worth looking after and benefiting humans at the same time.

As is the case with all assets, there is a need for management. We are wildlife managers and care deeply for our wild animals and the land they habituate. Our very existence and the life we love, living on a day to day basis with wild animals, depends wholly on the wellbeing of a thriving, healthy and stable wildlife population.

The entire concept of Gamsberg and Mount Barry Conservancy is built around providing a safe habitat for species occurring naturally in the greater area, many of them endangered nowaways, allowing them to roam freely and thrive like they would have before humans started developing the arid plains of Namibia.

Gamsberg Leopard Survey

We have been monitoring the leopard populations at Groot Gamsberg since 2002. ‘Trail Cameras’ (motion sensor cameras) are placed at various game trails, water points and baits. We currently have 12 main baiting points, 9 of which have overlooking ‘blinds’ built nearby to view the leopards feeding. We have identified 12 different Leopards in the area (based on sex, size, facial features and the unique individual neck patterns that each leopard has). We estimate there to be around 16 different leopards that pass through.

Some have territories spread over a number of different properties, which makes co-operation with our neighbours essential.

We have a passion for the Leopards here at Robin Hurt Safaris and are very happy to have such a good and healthy population in the area.

Our photos have contributed to various country-wide studies over the years, helping to assess the local leopard population and distribution in Namibia.

We also capture on photo an abundance of other interesting species,  many of them nocturnal and not often seen, such as Brown and Spotted Hyena, eagles and honey badger.

We are very proud of our staff, many of whom have been with us for as long as 20 years. We support the local Namibian community by creating as much employment as possible. We aim to constantly develop our staff’s skills and enable them to bring out the best in them, and have sent many for skills development training, including Household Management/Waiter training, Professional Hunter courses, and Anti Poaching Courses.

First Response Medical Aid courses are held on site regularly, and we have on the job training plans for maids, household staff, trackers, skinners, guides and gardeners. At Mount Barry we welcome the “Children in the Wilderness “expedition yearly. Disadvantaged children are taken on a week-long trek through the harsh terrain of the Gaob Riverbed with the aim of not only survival training, but also developing personal skills through this unique experience.