NamibRand Nature Reserve
South of Sesriem is the NamibRand Nature Reserve, one of Southern Africa’s biggest privately owned reserves covering an area of some 200,000 hectares. Synonymous with some of Africa’s most breathtaking locations, the Reserve originated in 1992 as the dream of J.A. (Albi) Brückner – to extend desert frontiers by integrating a large number of former livestock farms. To date, thirteen former livestock farms have been rehabilitated into a single continuous natural habitat. The result is a sanctuary free of fences allowing the wildlife to once again roam their habitat unhindered.
The NamibRand Nature Reserve is a non-profit private nature reserve. All landowners belonging to the Reserve have signed agreements and adopted a constitution that sets aside the land for conservation – now and in the future. NamibRand is bordered by the Naukluft Park in the west and the impressive Nubib Mountain range in the East. The special attraction of the reserve is the diversity of desert landscapes where mountains plunge into endless grassy plains, interspersed by red vegetated dunes.
Game species found in the reserve include gemsbok, mountain and plains zebra, springbok, red hartebeest, bat-eared fox, spotted hyena, cape fox and African wildcat. The more rocky areas are inhabited by kudu, klipspringer, baboon and leopard while the dunes harbour a rich and diverse micro-fauna. Over a hundred species of birds have been recorded. In 2012 the NamibRand was designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve, a prestigious honour and yet another reason to visit this unique area and experience the splendour of the night skies!
