Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation

The IRDCS Kunene Elephant Walk works to reduce human–wildlife conflict in northwestern Namibia through community-led conservation.

By training and employing local community members as rangers, we protect desert-adapted elephants, lions, and black rhinos while safeguarding livelihoods and strengthening long-term coexistence between people and wildlife.

The IRDCS Kunene Elephant Walk is a community-based conservation initiative operating under the umbrella of Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC), a Namibian NGO with more than 40 years of experience in sustainable natural resource management and community-driven conservation.

Our work takes place in the remote Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia, one of the most arid landscapes in southern Africa and home to uniquely adapted wildlife, including desert-adapted elephants, desert-adapted lions, and black rhinos. As human populations expand and climate pressure increases, conflicts between people and wildlife have become one of the most serious threats to both conservation and community wellbeing.

Instead of relying on external enforcement, our approach is preventative and locally rooted. Community members from nearby villages are recruited and trained as rangers who monitor wildlife movements, patrol conflict hotspots, protect water infrastructure and gardens, and intervene early to prevent escalation. This model has proven highly effective and has contributed to a dramatic reduction in conflict-related wildlife mortality.

The Kunene Elephant Walk places strong emphasis on local ownership, cultural respect, and long-term sustainability. By creating paid employment, building skills, and strengthening community responsibility, we aim to reduce dependency on external funding over time.

In addition to field operations, the project focuses on documentation, education, and public engagement. Through partnerships, storytelling, and volunteer programs, we seek to raise awareness for community-led conservation models and to connect global supporters with local solutions.

We believe that lasting conservation can only succeed when local communities are at the center of decision-making and benefit directly from protecting their natural heritage.