N/a’an ku sê Foundation

The N/a’an ku sê Foundation is a Namibian conservation and humanitarian organisation founded in 2003 by Dr. Rudie van Vuuren and Marlice van Vuuren. Its name derives from the San language and reflects the foundation's close ties to Namibia's San communities. The foundation operates as a non-profit, funding its work through a distinctive mix of sustainable commercial activities: exclusive ecotourism lodges, wildlife volunteering programmes, and filming and photographic services. Its stated purpose is to conserve Namibia's landscapes, protect its wildlife, and improve the lives of the people it works with. The foundation's work spans three main pillars. Conservation projects include evidence-based research to reduce human-wildlife conflict, the establishment of more than 100,000 hectares of protected habitat, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, notably at the Shiloh Wildlife Sanctuary for rhinos and elephants. Humanitarian efforts focus on empowering San communities through the Naankuse Primary School and the Naankuse Lifeline Clinic, which began in 2003 after the death of a San baby prompted the founders to act. Ecotourism and volunteering provide the financial engine: guests and volunteers stay at the foundation's reserves and participate in conservation activities, while the foundation also offers filming and photographic opportunities. International support has been significant. In 2011, Angelina Jolie chose N/a’an ku sê as a partner of the Shiloh Jolie-Pitt Foundation, in honour of her Namibian-born daughter, and the Jolie-Pitt Foundation has supported the work ever since. In 2017 the Mangetti Elephant and African Wild Dog Research Project began, alongside the Naankuse Forest Conservation Revegetation Project and the launch of the Shiloh Wildlife Sanctuary. In 2022 the Harnas Foundation Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1978, became part of the Naankuse family, expanding its wildlife rescue and rehabilitation footprint. Today the foundation presents itself as a place of protection, pride, perseverance, and passion, where man and wild can live and thrive together. It continues to operate its reserves, clinics, and school, welcoming volunteers and visitors from around the world while pursuing its vision to be a change maker for sustainable good in Africa.

The N/a’an ku sê Foundation traces its origins to 2003, when the death of a San baby prompted Dr. Rudie and Marlice van Vuuren to establish the Lifeline Clinic for the San community of Epukiro. Dr. Jannes Brandt introduced valued partners, including Dutch philanthropist Jan Verburg, who made the clinic a reality. This humanitarian impulse became the seed of a broader conservation and community organisation. Over the following years, the foundation expanded its activities into wildlife conservation, operating a wildlife sanctuary and running evidence-based research to reduce human-wildlife conflict. It established more than 100,000 hectares of protected habitat and provided countless animals with a second chance. Its work is supported by unique ecotourism experiences and superb filming and photographic opportunities, with the foundation describing itself as a place where exclusive ecotourism complements conservation success. A significant international partnership began in 2011, when Angelina Jolie chose Naankuse to become a partner of the Shiloh Jolie-Pitt Foundation, in honour of her Namibian-born daughter. The Jolie-Pitt Foundation has been supporting the work of Naankuse ever since. In 2017, the foundation launched several new initiatives: the Mangetti Elephant & African Wild Dog Research Project began; the Naankuse Forest Conservation Revegetation Project started propelling crucial landscape conservation efforts; and the Shiloh Wildlife Sanctuary commenced with rehabilitating rhinos and elephants. These projects deepened the foundation's involvement in large-mammal rescue and habitat restoration. In 2022, the Harnas Foundation Wildlife Sanctuary became a proud member of the Naankuse family. Established in 1978, Harnas brought decades of experience in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, reinforcing the foundation's position as a leading Namibian conservation organisation. Today the foundation continues to operate its reserves, clinics, and school, welcoming volunteers and visitors from around the world while pursuing its vision to be a change maker for sustainable good in Africa.

• 2022

  The Harnas Foundation Wildlife Sanctuary becomes a proud member of the Naankuse family.

• 2017

  Mangetti Elephant & African Wild Dog Research Project begins; Naankuse Forest Conservation Revegetation Project starts; Shiloh Wildlife Sanctuary commences with rehabilitating rhinos and elephants.

• 2011

  Angelina Jolie chooses Naankuse to become a partner of the Shiloh Jolie-Pitt Foundation, in honour of her Namibian-born daughter.

• 2003

  Death of a San baby prompts Dr. Rudie and Marlice van Vuuren to establish the Lifeline Clinic for the San community of Epukiro.

Exclusive ecotourism and volunteering that directly fund conservation and San community upliftment in Namibia.

• Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary

  Wildlife sanctuary and conservation project.

• Shiloh Wildlife Sanctuary

  Sanctuary rehabilitating rhinos and elephants, commenced in 2017.

• Naankuse Lifeline Clinic

  Clinic for the San community of Epukiro, established in 2003.

• Naankuse Primary School

  School supporting San communities.

• Volunteer programme

  Volunteering at conservation projects.

• Ecotourism lodges

  Exclusive ecotourism experiences that fund conservation.

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