A Sanctuary of Hope
Rhino Momma Project and Kifaru Luxury Lodge
The Heartbeat of the Rhino Momma Project
In the sweeping landscapes of Namibia lies a story of hope:
The Rhino Momma Project, born from one family’s dream to save one of Africa’s most magnificent giants. What began in 2010 with the purchase of a lone bull rhino, Cedric, blossomed into a full-scale breeding sanctuary dedicated to preserving the white rhinoceros through passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment.
By January 2013, the first calf was born. Since then, the Project has celebrated the birth of over 160 calves—each one a triumph over extinction’s shadow. Their goal: expand to 60 mature cows, yielding 24–28 calves annually, enriching both numbers and genetic diversity.
Since 2015, intensified poaching in Namibia has pressed hard on reserves everywhere. In response, Rhino Momma instituted robust anti-poaching patrols—on foot, bike, e-bikes, in vehicles, and by air—demonstrating adaptability and resolve.
Meanwhile, prolonged droughts have made natural grazing impossible, and feedstock costs have skyrocketed. In 2018, the Project formalised as a nonprofit organisation to raise critical funding and global awareness.
The Rhino Momma Project is not just a breeding initiative—it is a full-circle conservation effort that includes education, and critical care for vulnerable animals. At the heart of this deeper mission lies the Rhino Orphanage, a sanctuary for calves who have lost their mothers to poaching or natural causes.
Among the orphans cared for here most recently are Lilly and Venasha, both rescued as vulnerable, terrified calves. Lilly and Venasha were both rescued and brought to the Rhino Momma Project at only a few days old.
Rhino orphans represent the human cost of poaching— the emotional trauma, the loss, and the resilience required to heal. Their survival is a powerful testament to what compassion, skill, and funding can achieve. The orphanage is not open to the public for the safety of the calves, but it remains a central part of Rhino Momma’s conservation journey—helping those who would otherwise never survive.
The Truth About Dehorning: A Vital Line of Defence
One of the most effective, yet misunderstood, tools in the fight against
rhino poaching is dehorning. While it may seem drastic at first glance, dehorning is a humane, proactive conservation measure used to deter poachers by removing the very reason rhinos are targeted—their horns.
The process is entirely painless for the rhino. It begins with expert teams darting the animal, usually from a helicopter, to safely anesthetise it. Once the rhino is sedated and fully unconscious, conservationists use a specially designed saw to remove the horn—no different from trimming a human fingernail, as the horn is made of keratin. No nerve endings are affected, and the procedure is carefully monitored by veterinarians throughout.
After the horn is removed, the rhino is gently revived. Within a few minutes, it is back on its feet, groggy but unharmed. Over time, the horn naturally regrows, making repeat dehorning necessary every 18 to 24 months.
While the benefits of dehorning are significant—namely, making rhinos far less attractive to poachers—the procedure is also extremely costly. Each dehorning operation involves skilled personnel, veterinary oversight, helicopters, and specialised equipment. The financial burden is steep, and it is only through donations and support from responsible tourism that projects like Rhino Momma can afford to continue these life-saving interventions.
Guests staying at Kifaru Luxury Lodge may even have the rare opportunity to witness this extraordinary conservation work firsthand, under expert supervision during sponsored dehorning procedures. It is an unforgettable reminder of the dedication, care, and complexity involved in protecting Namibia’s rhinos.
There are many ways to support the Rhino Momma Project— but perhaps the most memorable and meaningful is through a visit to Kifaru Luxury Lodge and Bush Camp.
Tucked into the same vast reserve where these rhinos live and grow, Kifaru offers guests the opportunity to directly support rhino conservation while experiencing Namibia’s raw beauty. Each stay at the lodge contributes financially to the ongoing work of the Rhino Momma Project—including care for orphans like Lilly and Venasha, anti-poaching patrols, and dehorning.
Through specially curated experiences, guests may learn more about the rhinos’ stories, witness conservation in action, and gain a profound sense of connection to this cause. Kifaru is not just a destination—it is an invitation to become part of something extraordinary.
By choosing to visit, you do more than enjoy a luxurious safari. You step into a purpose-driven journey, one that brings you closer to Namibia’s most majestic animals—and gives them a stronger chance at life.
Kifaru Luxury Lodge and Bush Camp –
A Sustainable Tourism Model
Nestled amidst wild Namibian beauty, Kifaru Luxury Lodge and Bush Camp is more than accommodation— it’s a visceral connection between guests and conservation. The name “Kifaru” means “rhino” in Swahili, and the lodge was conceived as a vital pillar to support the Rhino Momma Project financially and philosophically.
Opening in 2019, Kifaru Lodge was designed to generate sustainable tourism revenue directly channelled into rhino conservation. Even after the pandemic paused operations, bookings gradually resumed by 2022, enabling direct support of Rhino Momma’s patrols, dehorning treatments, and feedstock during drought. Today, a large percentage of the lodge’s income is donated to the non-profit, blending luxury hospitality with ecological stewardship seamlessly.
With only six rooms in the main lodge and 12 at the rustic bush camp, Kifaru offers intimate exclusivity.
The lodge’s river-stone infinity pool overlooks a floodlit waterhole; guests dine on local produce while panoramic views deepen the bushveld connection.
The Bush Camp, 5km from the main lodge, features barn-style architecture, wrap-around verandas, a communal pool, cosy ensuite rooms, and a rustic farm-
dam-style ambiance. All this comfort is intentionally modest so that attention turns outward—to nature, wildlife, and the cause.
Kifaru is not an overnight stop but a destination to linger.
At Kifaru, experiences extend well beyond game drives. Guests can participate in Morning Game Drives and Sundowner Drives, immersing themselves in wildlife and sunsets. Rhino tracking by foot offers a hands-on lesson in conservation. The emotional highlight for many is “Brunch with the African
Unicorns”, where guests can enjoy a meal in proximity to rhinos under expert supervision.
Every night spent at Kifaru is a vote for the future of rhinos. Bookings and onsite activities funnel revenue directly to the Rhino Momma Project. Guests also help amplify the message—through storytelling, social sharing (without geotags), and global word of mouth. The lodge enforces strict privacy for the safety of the animals, underscoring their commitment to conservation ethics.
In many parts of Africa, conservation hinges on continued funding—especially for complex programmes like Rhino Momma. Kifaru offers a model where tourism underwrites critical operations: antipoaching patrols, breeding infrastructure, veterinary care, feed supplementation, and drought resilience. This partnership demonstrates how luxury travel can
be a force for good—not extravagant excess, but responsible stewardship. It invites guests to enjoy nature while actively safeguarding it.
An Invitation to Care
In the silent dawn light of Namibia, a mother rhino nudges her calf. In the dusty bush, anti-poaching patrols watch vigilantly. Within a lodge perched on remote hills, guests sip cocktails while watching wildlife gather. And across continents, we—readers, travellers, supporters—hold our breath in the hope that rhinos endure.
The Rhino Momma Project and Kifaru Luxury Lodge and Bush Camp embody a shared ethos: that conservation and human connection can sustain each other. One nurtures rhino herds, the other invites us into their world, making us part of the solution.
If you feel stirred by their story, consider booking a stay, supporting an orphan, or simply sharing their mission. You become not just a spectator, but a custodian of life. Together, we can help the rhino not just survive—but thrive.
To learn more or support the cause, please visit: Rhino Momma Project –https://rhinomomma.com
Kifaru Luxury Lodge & Bush Camp –https://www.kifarulodge.com