Community conservancies
Namibia's communal conservancies link wildlife protection with local livelihoods.
DESTINATION
Southern Kunene
Tsawises' signature landscape for conservation-led context.
WHY GO
Southern Kunene: what to know before you go.
Southern Kunene is a region of communal conservancies, rocky valleys and dry rivers between Damaraland and the far north-west. Wildlife here, including desert-adapted elephants and rhinos, lives alongside local communities, and conservation-led travel supports both. It is central to the Tsawises approach to conservation-aware journeys.
When to visit
The dry season (roughly May to October) concentrates wildlife along riverbeds and makes tracks more reliable. Summer is hot, and rain can change access quickly.
How to get there
Southern Kunene is a full day's drive from Windhoek, often reached via Damaraland, with gravel and rougher tracks in the final stretch. Many travellers use guided drives and local hosts rather than self-driving every route.
Highlights
Desert-adapted wildlife
Elephants, giraffe and other wildlife adapted to arid conditions.
Rhino tracking
Guided experiences with trained trackers can be arranged in suitable areas.
Host-led cultural visits
Time with local hosts gives context that a map or guidebook cannot.
Practical tips
Travel with a suitable vehicle and plan fuel carefully. Choose operators who involve and benefit local communities. Distances and driving times are approximate and depend on route, season and road conditions. Tsawises confirms the route, vehicle and timings in your written proposal.
Frequently asked questions
What are communal conservancies in Namibia?
Areas where local communities manage and benefit from wildlife and tourism, an approach Namibia has supported since legislation in the 1990s.
Is Southern Kunene suitable for self-drive?
Parts of it are, with a suitable vehicle and good preparation. Many travellers combine self-drive with guided activities.
Why include a conservation focus in a safari?
It directs tourism income towards wildlife protection and local communities, and often gives a more meaningful visit.
Related journeys
ConservationSouthern Kunene Conservation Safari
Southern Kunene · Damaraland · Kaokoland
Route-appropriate camps and lodges — subject to confirmation