A sanctuary to preserve wildlife and land in Namibia

Marlice van Vuuren is not only the co-founder, but takes on the ‘mother’ role – to wildlife, orphaned animals, children and the N/a’an ku sê Ecotourism Collection as a whole.

N/a’an ku sê has grown over 20 years to become a prominent giant in the tourism industry and continues to expand to one of the most recognised collections in Namibian tourism.

The team continues to create wildlife adventures and experiences for local Namibians and tourists.

“It all began with a dream to conserve, and we foster responsible ecotourism initiatives to keep it going,” she said.



The beginning

The story of N/a’an ku sê began in 2003 when Marlice and her husband Rudie van Vuuren, a medical doctor, were approached by a San woman with her very ill baby.

This took place on the Harnas reserve and wildlife sanctuary where Marlice grew up.

“We immediately called for an ambulance which never arrived. In desperation, we rushed the baby to the hospital in Gobabis, but the negligence and non-caring attitude of the nurses and staff toward a San baby ultimately caused the baby’s death, despite Rudie doing all that he could,” Marlice said.

The N/a’an ku sê Lodge and Wildlife Sanctuary sprang to life in 2007, with the lodge generating funds for the many humanitarian and conservation projects of the N/a’an ku sê Foundation.

“The N/a’an ku sê Foundation now protects more than 100 000 hectares of land for conservation in Namibia. The N/a’an ku sê Ecotourism Collection, a collection of bespoke lodges throughout Namibia, helps fund the conservation and humanitarian projects and currently employs more than 700 staff,” she said.



Adopting the San culture

‘N/a’an ku sê’ is a San word which means ‘God protects us’. Marlice thought of this as the perfect name as she believes the San people shaped her life.

“I grew up with the San on Harnas, and I learnt to speak their beautiful language fluently. I call it my mother-tongue and I have also taught San to my sons,” she said.

Harnas was the first wildlife sanctuary to be established in Namibia and it sprang to life in 1978. It is still going strong and provides a home to more than 400 animals.

One of the core focus areas of N/a’an ku sê is the upliftment and support of the San people, who are one of Namibia’s most ostracised and marginalised communities.

“Growing up with the San enabled me to fully embrace and understand their culture, their traditions and, above all, their affinity with and respect of nature. So, I chose a San word as that is a culture that shaped my life,” she said.



N/a’an ku sê offers the chance for local Namibians and international tourists to learn what conservation really means. This transcends the notion of mere ‘protection’, as they conserve habitats and landscapes, protect wildlife and support Namibia’s marginalised San communities. N/a’an ku sê also promotes ethical and responsible tourism, making sure that tourists realise that animal exploitation for the sake of ‘glamorous’ tourism experiences is not tolerated and should never happen.

“In essence, we show tourists how to be responsible and ethical in their decision-making when planning a holiday experience.

We encourage volunteers, both local and international, to join our projects and learn from us first-hand. We cater for interns to experience our conservation research projects, our educational endeavours and our medical efforts at the Lifeline Clinic,” Marlice said.



Unique operations

N/a’an ku sê makes use of evidence-based scientific research to implement change and make conservation decisions. “Indeed, our research results have influenced conservation legislation. One of the core focus areas of the N/a’an ku sê Foundation is human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and that in particular involves mitigating conflict with carnivores.

“We work very closely with farmers and landowners in Namibia, not only assisting them with livestock protection techniques, but also fitting GPS tracking collars to carnivores captured on farmers’ lands,” she said.

These animals are then released back into their chosen territories and the GPS data is shared with the farmer each day, she explained.

“This builds a database of actual scientific evidence, with us able to monitor the animal’s movements and interpret behaviour. Farmers grow to understand and appreciate carnivore behaviour, and this significantly increases their capacity to protect their livestock.”

Another aspect that makes N/a’an ku sê so unique is that they are not species-specific. “We help to conserve all species, from the smallest meerkat to the largest elephant.”



Marlice’s duties

As co-founder of N/a’an ku sê, Marlice oversees all projects and keeps up to date with details of what happens at all of the N/a’an ku sê reserves throughout Namibia. She keeps on top of all animal work at the sanctuary, and actions involving rapid response calls. She is always eager to work closely with her team, adding that she revels in encouraging team members and keeping morale high in the workplace.

She believes that the tourism industry is crucial to conservation. “Without tourism, including volun-tourism, conservation and humanitarian projects at N/a’an ku sê would not be a reality.”



Tourism and hospitality in Namibia

The tourism and hospitality industry has proven to be one of the most dominating industries in the country. It has recently started recovering from the effects of Covid-19 and continues to expand.

This industry still brings in a lot of income for the Namibian economy and generates foreign investment within the country.

Even though the industry is healing, it is still struggling. It is noticeable that many professionals in the industry are trying to find their feet to retain profits and grow within their careers.

“The ultimate goal is that soon, the operations in the tourism and hospitality industry will get back to normal. Many retrenchments have taken place, and development comes with the ability to employ more Namibians and help build the economy with steady progress.”



Marlice said people nowadays prefer a meaningful holiday experience in which they make a difference. That could tie in with the world becoming more conscious of ethical and responsible tourism destinations and practices. The volunteering projects at N/a’an ku sê offer activities to guests who are not volunteering that go beyond the normal ‘tourist’ experience.

“We refer to them as ‘conservation experiences’. Lodge guests can join a behind-the-scenes tour of the sanctuary and our various conservation and humanitarian projects. They can spend time with our anti-poaching units, visit N/a’an ku sê Primary School and gain insight into the work we do and what their visit is supporting. This gives intimate insight into the world of conservation – far more so than what a normal game drive would offer. We go beyond the scope of the usual ‘safari experience’,” she said.

Marlice loves having her husband, Rudie, fully involved in her career. She said he is just as part of N/a’an ku sê as she is.

“This is a family endeavour and for that I am blessed. Perhaps the greatest asset is knowing, every day, that what we are doing is making a difference. Each day some person’s life is improved or enriched. We help communities, children are educated, sanctuary animals receive love and kindness, employees feel valued, wildlife remains in the wild... so much good is achieved.

“I can sleep peacefully each night knowing that we are doing our best and that we are making a difference.”

She added that if you can say that your ‘job’ is benefitting so many, you are among the most privileged people in the world.



Accomplishments

“Organisations are leaning more towards conservation causes and trying to support conservation and community/social issues within their own countries. Tourism concerns are realising ever more that they can contribute funds to environmental and conservation projects, that it is their responsibility to do so.

“After all, in conserving locations, wildlife and communities, you are ensuring the continuation of tourist destinations. Tourists themselves have become more driven in only visiting ethical and conservation-savvy destinations,” she said.

No longer do tourists inadvertently want to support companies or organisations known for exploitation, be it wildlife or people, she added.

“Ethical travel is becoming the norm... travel by which tourists know they are contributing to a cause. ‘Travel with a purpose’ is becoming the new normal.”



The founders are focused on restructuring their organisation to make a bigger and even broader impact on human-wildlife conflict, landscape, conservation, and improving the lives of the people they work with.



Hobbies and facts

I love training the canine unit

I enjoy spending time in the veld

I enjoy spending time with my family

I teach young girls to play netball

I love to walk with the baboons in the field

I enjoy horse-riding

Sky diving, abseiling, bungee jumping and anything with a high adrenaline rush are my favourite activities.