Further funding for 2025
Ultimate Safaris reaffirms commitment to the LRF
Ultimate Safaris reaffirmed its commitment to lion conservation by continuing its support of the Lion Recovery Fund (LRF) into 2025.Established in 2017 through a partnership between the Wildlife Conservation Network and the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (now Re:wild), the LRF finances transformative conservation initiatives across Africa. Since its creation, the LRF has allocated nearly N$780 million to lion conservation efforts, including N$108 million in 2024 alone.
As a founding member of the Lionscape Coalition in 2019, Ultimate Safaris joined other top African tourism operators in supporting lion conservation in areas both within and beyond their operational scope through the LRF. The coalition’s philanthropic efforts aim to protect lions even in remote areas with little or no tourism activity.
In 2020, Tristan Cowley, Ultimate Safaris’ CEO and founder of the Conservation Travel Foundation (CTF), played an integral role by serving on the LRF granting committee.
For 2025
Ultimate Safaris has committed almost N$500 000 to the LRF. This contribution complements broader conservation initiatives led by the CTF and LRF, which has spearheaded lion-focused efforts in partnership with organisations like the Ministry of Environment, Forestry & Tourism, Lion Ranger Programme, Desert Lion Conservation Trust, TOSCO, Lion Ranger Program, Ombonde Research Team, Kwando Carnivore Project and Namibia Lion Trust.
In 2024, these efforts funnelled over N$6 million into projects in Namibia’s northwest and northeast regions, addressing human-lion conflict through innovative solutions such as Lion-proof kraals to safeguard livestock, lion collars and early warning systems to monitor and mitigate risks and financing support vehicles for a Rapid Response Unit to assist communities in resolving conflicts with lions.
Ultimate Safaris’ involvement with the LRF highlights its dedication to expanding lion ranges and fostering conservation in critical areas outside Namibia.
Jason Nott, director of Ultimate Safaris’ Conservation Travel Foundation, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “We see our involvement with the LRF as an important part of supporting conservation across landscapes that we may not operate in, but which urgently need support to grow lion ranges across Africa, while also enabling crucial work in Namibia.”