Ultimate Safaris

Also known as: Ultimate Safaris (Pvt) Ltd · ultimate.earth

Luxury tourism and conservation operator in Kunene Region facing competition investigation and mining-conservation disputes over communal conservancy agreements.

2024-11-092026-10-22

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Ultimate Safaris

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

November 2024
9 NovThe Namibian
Ultimate Safaris raised objections against mining in an area that has succeeded in protecting threatened black rhinoceros
Source
“The Doro !Nawas and Ûibasen Twyfelfontein conservancies, together with the ≠Aodaman Traditional Authority and the tourism company Ultimate Safaris, have raised objections against mining in an area that has, for decades, succeeded in making the area between Khorixas and Uis the safest habitat for the threatened black rhinoceros.”
Why Mining Über Alles?

Tourism & Environment

Conservation and development can coexist, says Mbuende

The News

National Planning Commission Director-General Dr Kaire Mbuende has called for a balance between environmental conservation and industrial development, arguing that conservation concerns should not become an absolute barrier to economic activity. Speaking at the African Green Industries Summit in Swakopmund, Mbuende said environmental impact must be seriously assessed but that Namibia should not be forced to choose between development and conservation.

10 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 10 September

Conservation and development can coexist, says Mbuende
National Planning Commission Director-General Dr Kaire Mbuende has called for a balance between environmental conservation and industrial development, arguing that conservation concerns should not become an absolute barrier to economic activity. Speaking at the African Green Industries Summit in Swakopmund, Mbuende said environmental impact must be seriously assessed but that Namibia should not be forced to choose between development and conservation.
10 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 17 July

575 wild animals translocated from Etosha to conservation areas
A total of 575 animals were moved from Etosha National Park to conservation areas across Namibia, including communal conservancies in the Kunene Region, as part of efforts to restore wildlife populations, improve ecological balance, and strengthen community-based conservation.
17 July 2026 · Informanté →
575 wild animals translocated from Etosha to conservation areas
A total of 575 animals were translocated from Etosha National Park to conservation areas across Namibia, including communal conservancies in the Kunene Region, as part of efforts to restore wildlife populations, improve ecological balance, and strengthen community-based conservation. The translocation was led by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism through collaboration between government, communities, and conservation organisations.
17 July 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 26 June

Mining versus conservation in Kunene Region raises governance tensions
A dispute in Kunene Region between the Dâure Daman Traditional Authority and tourism operator Ultimate Safaris over mining permits tests Namibia's ability to balance environmental protection, economic development, traditional governance, and the rule of law. The authority and local miners cite government-issued mining licences as opportunities for job creation and Black-owned enterprise participation, while conservationists warn that open-pit mining threatens habitat protection efforts for the critically endangered black rhino.
26 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Daure Daman Traditional Authority opposes ultimate.earth leasehold bid
The Daure Daman Traditional Authority has formally objected to tourism operator ultimate.earth's application for a leasehold of communal land in Kunene Region, citing concerns about consultation and conduct. The objection, submitted to the Kunene Communal Land Board, is part of an ongoing dispute involving a Joint Management Agreement with three conservancies and a separate legal battle with Goantagab Tin Mine.
26 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 8 June

NaCC grants Ultimate Safaris 90-day extension in competition probe
The Namibian Competition Commission has granted Ultimate Safaris a 90-day extension to respond to an investigation into an allegedly illegal agreement with three conservancies. The extension was granted under the Competition Act of 2003, though critics claim the NaCC is treating the company with "kid gloves" given the time it has been allowed to avoid complying with the commission's directive to scrap the exclusive agreements.
8 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 6 June

Mobile eyewear programme serves nearly 500 in Kunene Region
Ultimate.earth, in partnership with T-UP Vision and the Conservation Travel Foundation, provided corrective glasses to nearly 500 residents and conservancy members across remote communities in Kunene Region, addressing limited healthcare access in the area.
6 June 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 13 May

Ultimate Safaris rebrands to ultimate.earth with conservation focus
Ultimate Safaris has rebranded to ultimate.earth to reflect a shift beyond traditional safari tourism toward protecting natural ecosystems while supporting local communities and sustainable development. The company said the rebrand reflects growing international demand for tourism linked to environmental and social responsibility, and it plans to strengthen conservation work and community partnerships across Africa.
13 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 7 May

Competition Commission scrutinized over conservancy tourism investigation
The Namibian Competition Commission faces criticism for investigating conservancy tourism partnerships, with the Chamber of Environment calling instead for a probe into Namibia Wildlife Resorts' alleged anti-competitive dominance in national parks. The dispute raises questions about whether competition law is being applied in a way that could undermine the communal conservancy tourism model that supports rural livelihoods and conservation.
7 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 April

NaCC launches investigation into Ultimate Safaris and three conservancies
The Namibian Competition Commission has initiated an investigation against tourism company Ultimate Safaris and three Kunene region conservancies for alleged anti-competition conduct, after the respondents defied a December 2024 cautionary notice to cease the conduct. The case stems from a complaint by a mining claimant seeking to reopen Goantagab Mine within a joint management area that the respondents oppose, citing potential harm to black rhino tourism.
21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 14 April

Aviation industry calls for faster foreign pilot work permits
Namibia's aircraft operators say restrictive visa and work permit processes are constraining pilot availability, threatening aviation safety and tourism. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association notes that Namibia's pilot pool is exhausted, with only 2% of recent pilot job applicants being Namibian nationals, and calls for the Home Affairs ministry to expedite work permits for qualified foreign commercial pilots and flight instructors.
14 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 28 March

Ultimate Safaris invests N$400k in international guide exchange
Ultimate Safaris, a conservation-focused luxury travel operator, has invested over N$400 000 since inception in an international guide exchange programme. The initiative gives its annual 'Ultimate Guide of the Year' a three-week immersion experience with a partner operator abroad, fostering knowledge exchange and conservation partnerships.
28 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 February

Cirrus invests in Ultimate Safaris for tourism expansion
Cirrus Unlisted Investments has acquired a significant minority stake in Ultimate Safaris, a lodge and wilderness tour operator, to fund expansion as Namibia attracts more global high-end tourism.
18 February 2026 · The Namibian →