A second chance for wild animals at TimBila Nature Reserve
Located adjacent to the Erindi Private Game Reserve, is the TimBila Nature Reserve, where herds of impala and springbok have made themselves a home.“It used to be a hunting farm,” says Johan Koortzen, TimBila’s farm manager. “That’s why the animals are still a little afraid, but it’s getting better and better.”
The reserve has been operational for three years. “We have over 30 000 hectares and all the animals we have here, like rhinos, elephants and lions, are basically problem animals.”
They come from the north of Namibia, where there is a lot of conflict between people and wild animals.
According to Koortzen, the people there kill the lions or poison them. Therefore, the 12 lions that currently live in the nature reserve are not fans of humans.
TimBila is part of the Naankuse Foundation and - like all Naankuse projects - is intended to preserve the flora and fauna of Namibia.
“It was created to give animals a second chance,” says Koortzen. “We brought these animals here and now they live freely, no one hunts them or hurts them.”
Because of the farmers around it, the area is still fenced off. If the lions were to roam around free, there would be a new problem. However, there are no fences within TimBila, so guests are asked to always drive to where they are sleeping.
Visitors have a variety of accommodation options to choose from: Camp Namibia with 12 luxury self-catering tents and four campsites; If you want something a little fancier, you'll get your money's worth at the TimBila Safari Lodge; At the Farmsted visitors can experience classic farm life up close.; and finally, for ultimate in luxury, a five-bedroom private villa can be rented, offering stunning views of the entire reserve.