Hands On The Ground: Water Points Installation
“Each morning, we would wake up early, have breakfast, and head out into the field. The ORKCA team was responsible for loading food and building materials, such as sand, rocks, and pipes, for the construction sites. Alongside us were about ten men from the Obib and Satco resettlement areas, known as the ‘fencing team.’ They used printed satellite maps to help remove fences around the Kinderzit and Umeis areas.”
The southern part of Namibia is known for its harsh and arid conditions, where both humans and wildlife find it challenging to access water. The landscape is always changing, and even small changes can make a big difference. Over the years, ORKCA has been working closely with local southern communities to restore and rewild the Orange River Karoo conservation area, to support both people and nature in a shared landscape. With support from the OAK Foundation, ORKCA recently launched an ecological restoration project as part of its broader rewilding initiatives.
This is just one of many small steps to restore balance in the ecosystem. This initiative focuses on removing 40 km of fencing across Kinderzit, Umeis and Kum Kum and installing or upgrading eight solar-powered water points. So far, four waterpoints (two at each site) have been installed at Kinderzit and Umeis during construction from May to June 2025, following the removal of old fencing in April 2025.
Jannie, our reserve manager, shared, "The need goes beyond human survival. There was a real necessity for water, especially for the wildlife. We removed about 20.2 kilometres of fencing so the wildlife can move freely and reach these vital water points that we have constructed for survival."
In the past, these areas have struggled with limited water resources, which affects the wildlife that directly relies on these lands. To help support the natural balance, old fences that once divided Kinderzit and Umeis were removed, reconnecting the land.
“After the fencing team finished their work, the construction team arrived from Karasburg to build the water points. It was a great learning experience, watching them ensure the whole system was working seamlessly. It made me realise how much heart and knowledge go into something as simple as a working water point. And how it would make a real difference for the land and the wildlife,’’ Cienna, ORKCA’s Game Guard & Permaculture Specialist, shared.
The installation of these solar-powered water points is allowing clean water to flow across this land, helping it to slowly recover over time. The team continues to monitor these water points to ensure that the wildlife has access to a steady water supply. This includes regular checkups for blockages, monitoring the solar panels, and making sure the water level is consistent. As part of ongoing support for the local communities, some of the fencing material was also donated to the //Gamaseb conservancy to help repair their boundary fencing and protect wildlife in that area.
In March, we welcomed four members from Google who came to see ORKCA’s work firsthand. During their visit, they rolled up their sleeves and joined the team for a day of installing one of our water points. They got to understand the impact of the project, as well as the physical intensity and determination it takes to bring water access to these remote areas.
‘‘We have recently set up camera traps around these newly established water points to understand animal behaviour. We can see which animals come to drink and how often they visit. From what we have seen in the camera footage, these water points seem to be helping the wildlife,’’ Romeo, Research Assistant, shared.
A massive thank you to the OAK Foundation for their support, helping us bring water access and ecological restoration to life at ORKCA. We have been able to set up vital water points, take down old fences, making it easier for wildlife to move freely again. Watching this project come together has been incredible, with everyone involved playing a part in supporting the wildlife that depends on these lands.
