Kalahari Region | Amakali Conservation Trust

Black rhinoceros between the bushes in the kalahari desert in namibia

Kalahari Region, Namibia

Location: 23°16’–23°26’S and 18°33’–18°48’E

Ecoregion: Acacia tree-and-shrub savannah

Landscape: Semi-arid, flat duneveld with acacia woodlands, limestone pans

Flora & fauna: Camel thorn, large herds of ungulates, mesopredators, >200 bird species

Kuzikus Wildlife Reserve is a private nature sanctuary that combines tourism, education, research and conservation. Founded over 40 years ago the family-run reserve was one of the first farms in Namibia to transition from commercial livestock farming to utilising wild animals, and it is now entirely dedicated to sustainable wildlife management and ecotourism.
Kuzikus is also part of Namibia's Black Rhino Custodianship Programme, a government-managed conservation initiative comprising nationwide rhino sanctuaries on freehold ranches and communal conservancies.

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Key threats:

Rhino poaching, habitat loss and damage to threatened and keystone species populations

Main challenges:

Climate change (droughts), overgrazing, habitat fragmentation and loss through livestock farming and fencing (in surrounding areas)

Goals:

Maintaining ecological integrity beyond Kuzikus and enabling the population growth of priority species through habitat expansion

Needs:

Robust field clothes for rangers and rhino trackers (e.g., boots, uniforms, hats, etc.)
High-quality field equipment and technologies (e.g., binoculars, radios, GPS devices, camera-traps, etc.)
Patrol trainings for staff and on the use of tools (e.g., field-phones equipped with SMART software)
Updated reserve infrastructure (e.g., water pumps)
Education materials for staff and visitors
Improved emergency responses (e.g., droughts, fires, wildlife injuries/diseases, poaching incidents)

Black rhino

conservation & monitoring

Wildlife & ecosystem management

Research, education & public outreach

Digital conservation & technology

Support and strengthen black rhino protection by enhancing monitoring and patrol capacity, equipment, and strategic management guidance

Restore ecological processes and safeguard the ecological integrity of the Kalahari ecosystem to advance its protection and recovery

Advance ethical research, build local capacity, share scientific and educational materials, raise public awareness and provide learning opportunities

Equip and train the team with the right tools, ecosystem databases and monitoring systems to increase conservation effectiveness

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Max Sterk Maximilian amakali conservation trustRhino Ranger and antipoaching dog observe a black rhi

Oryx kalahari kuzikus amakali conservation trust

amakali conservation trust Medical intervention of a black rhinoceros in the kalahari desert

Giraffe kuzikus amakali conservation trust

kuzikus field guides and dog observe and photograph wildlife in the kalahari desert

Meerkat suricate amakali conservation trust

amakali conservation trust Rangers and patrol dog in the kalahari desert in namibia using monitoring

aardvark amakali conservation trust kalahari kuzikus

amakali conservation trust Mobile phone with wildlife monitoring software for conservation and antip

sunset in the open landscape of the kalahari desert, the grass and a big acacia tree are sunlit

Our long-standing relationship with Kuzikus Wildlife Reserve is rooted in a shared vision to rewild the Kalahari. This has given us a unique opportunity to carry out research and wildlife monitoring activities, allowing us to develop a comprehensive understanding of the Kalahari ecosystem. The focus has been on researching the black rhino (Diceros bicornis bicornis) population, its habitat use, movement ecology and the area's carrying capacity. Other activities have included studying Angolan giraffes (Giraffa giraffa angolensis), supporting drone and AI-based ecosystem monitoring, and contributing to field studies on mesopredators and vultures. Beyond research, we have also contributed to broader reserve management tasks, supporting field operations, drought controls, rhino monitoring, and anti-poaching efforts. Additionally, we have also supported the creation of a work programme for members of the indigenous San community, enabling them to act as rhino guards and guides.