The Harnas farm was originally fenced as a cattle farm and acted as such as main source of income for its residents until fairly recently. Grandfather Nick bought Harnas as a farm to feed his speculation cattle. Nine years later Nick and Marieta van der Merwe bought the farm from Grandfather Nick and started farming. What is Harnas now grew from an instinctive love for wild animals when Nick and Marieta first rescued a vervet monkey from abuse by its owners. Shortly thereafter a zoo in South Africa went defunct and its lions were given into the care of the Van der Merwe family. Recent publicity given to Harnas has resulted in the escalation of animals housed here, transforming the initial personal “hobby” into a full-time occupation for the Harnas residents and staff.

Namibia is currently struggling with an approximate unemployment rate of 51% with a low income rate for most of the population and so human survival must take centre stage. When farmers have to protect livestock against predators, in hope of making a living, their choices are very limited and therefore conservation suffers severely. This weak economy produces social problems for humans which subsequently affects their relationship with nature. Therefore Harnas finds it difficult to turn away requests to take in animals, where the only alternative would lead to their death.

At first, the Harnas family used their own earnings to bare the Harnas expenses, but due to the dramatic increase in both the number of rescued animals and the operational costs, the necessity for a guest farm and a wildlife trust fund was born. This need was met with when Harnas first opened its doors to the public in 1993 and then again in 1997 when the Harnas Wildlife Foundation Trust Fund was instituted. In March of 2000 the “Harnas Wildlife Foundation” was registered in Germany.

Registration No: 2008/0544 Pty Ltd Trust No: T147/09

1. Our mission is to protect life; done through the responsible and effective management, regulation and understanding of the resources necessary for this task.

2. To study life and improve on our own knowledge and gain better understanding of the natural facets of our planet.

3. To be thankful on a daily basis for this opportunity.

Our vision is to build upon and maintain a legacy of improving living and spiritual conditions of man and animal; and to restore natural balance for the benefit of both.

Our leadership is to make available to others the knowledge we have obtained so that they too can draw privilege from its benefits, but also to make sure that each employee is an effective asset who understands and believes in the company’s vision and mission.

What is the benefit of Harnas Wildlife Foundation to society and nature, and how do we uphold that?

1. To offer quality care and hospitality to everyone who comes to us; be they normal guests, day visitors, working guests, students or even each other.

2. To be knowledgeable and informative about everything which have been intrusted into our care to such a degree that those who ask us questions will be stimulated intellectually.

3. To create a platform on which people and creatures alike may find a place to liberate themselves from the constraints of contemporary oppression.

4. To be conscious of the flow of nature and not to interfere with nature where we are not needed, and to allow life to run its natural course as far as possible.

To reach our dreams Harnas Wildlife Foundation has had to employ the skills of many willing hands. With their constant help and support Harnas Wildlife Foundation now boasts a team of local and international experts.

Currently Harnas Wildlife Foundation has permanently employed staff and trust members in USA, Germany and the United Kingdom.

On the other end of the scale there is the VolunTourist programme. These VolunTourists play a vital role in the Harnas Wildlife Foundation as a whole. Whilst travelling the world, either on a gap year or for a yearly vacation, these VolunTourists love animals, care about the future of the world and want to make a hands-on difference in conservation as a whole. Without their help throughout the last years Harnas would most definitely be a different place! So from Harnas Wildlife Foundation’s side; thank you!