How It All Began
In February 2025, we were once again travelling through the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) in South Africa. We love this park for its vast landscapes, red dunes and fascinating wildlife.
We left the KTP at Mata Mata and continued into Namibia, heading towards the Nossob Valley south of Aranos. We had booked a three-night stay at Dorsland Cottage on the Tiger’s Lair farm through Airbnb.
On 12 February 2025, we arrived at Tiger’s Lair for the first time. Wynand welcomed us together with his youngest daughter and the dogs.
The following day, Wynand showed us around the farm. In the evening, we drove up one of the red Kalahari dunes to watch the sunset. The landscape immediately reminded us of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
We were captivated by the vast open spaces, the dunes and the unspoilt natural surroundings. I said to Wynand:
“You have an uncut diamond in your hands with this farm.”
A Shared Dream
The next morning, I told Wynand about a dream I had had during the night: We were staying in a small cottage on a red Kalahari dune, surrounded by the wildlife of the Kalahari – oryx, springbok and kudu. No sheep, no goats, no cattle. Instead, a landscape where native wildlife could once again thrive.
A wildlife reserve in the heart of the Kalahari.
Wynand replied that he had shared this dream for a long time. Until now, however, the lack of financial resources had prevented him from turning it into reality.
I asked him whether he could imagine taking on such a project alongside his daily responsibilities on the farm.
His reaction said it all. His eyes lit up.
The Planning Begins
When we said goodbye on the third day, I promised Wynand that I would think about how we could turn our shared vision into a concrete project.
A week later, we were still travelling through Namibia.
I booked a flight to Windhoek for May 2025.
And so the planning of Kalahari Conservation began.