Africa Conservation Initiative
Revitalizing Africa’s landscapes with economically empowering conservation and rewilding solutions
Our Team
Director
Tienie Bamberger
Tiene Bamberger served on an elite personal protection task force with the South African Correctional Services. He also worked as a security and training consultant in London, England. In South Africa, Tienie has developed a series of successful businesses in conservation, tourism, and sustainable use. Currently, Tienie and his wife own and operate a large Safari and Tourism company on a 10,000-hectare private game reserve. Together, they have successfully transformed overgrazed cattle ranches back into sustainable natural wildlife areas.
Tienie is an active member of several wildlife-oriented organizations, serving on the executive committee of many. He is also the winner of the 2023 Wildlife Rancher of the Year Award. Tienie and his wife donate generously and vigorously support wildlife research projects of many kinds.
Director
Dr. Paul Booyens
Dr. Paul Booyens has a rich educational background with a degree in Zoology, Botany, and Tourism, and a Master’s in Environmental Science from the University of the North West, South Africa. His career in wildlife management began on a game ranch, progressing to managing a significant wildlife reserve where he oversaw the introduction of the Big Five. In 2022, he completed his Doctorate in Wildlife Management and has been honored with the Wildlife Utilization Award and the Nature Conservator of the Year Award. Dr. Booyens has also authored the book titled “Released: Captive-Bred to Truly Wild,” detailing his pioneering work on rewilding captive-bred lions.
Learn more about Dr. Booyens at plbforlions.org
Director
Joca Coimbra
Joca Coimbra has owned and sold many successful companies from wholesale liquor stores to cattle and game trading enterprises. Most recently he sold his adventure tourism company in Swakopmund. Desert Explorers still operates, by its new owner and management, in Swakopmund, Namibia and is the largest adventure tourism company in Namibia. Joca is a true businessman with a passion for tourism and tourist activities.
Current Projects
Angola Rewilding Initiative
Our Principles
Conservation is not merely a matter of protecting species and habitats; it is fundamentally about people and their relationship with the natural world. When local communities are empowered to take stewardship of their natural heritage, conservation becomes a shared goal rather than an imposed mandate. It is through this collective guardianship that the true spirit of conservation emerges, one where the well-being of wildlife and ecosystems is intrinsically linked to the prosperity and cultural identity of the people who live among them. By fostering a sense of ownership and pride in natural resources, we pave the way for a future where conservation is woven into the fabric of community life, ensuring that the beauty and diversity of the natural world can thrive alongside human development.
Emmanuel Koro
Our Principles
Collaborative Governance
We collaborate closely with government bodies to foster sustainable governance of conservation areas. This partnership is built on a foundation of trust and shared vision for conservation success, community prosperity, and economic viability. Our role is to provide operational management expertise, ensuring that the ecological integrity and economic viability of these areas are maintained for the long term.
Our Principles
Integrated Community Strategy
We ensure the sustainability of conservation areas by simultaneously fostering community development, recognizing that the success of one is reliant on the other. We invest in education, healthcare, and the creation of economic opportunities, including agricultural initiatives and a livestock farming scheme. This infrastructure supports sustainable practices and provides a direct economic return to the community, ensuring the conservation efforts are economically sustainable. Through this, conservation areas thrive alongside prospering communities.
Our Principles
Fundraising and Financial Stewardship
Our commitment to conservation is matched by our dedication to responsible fundraising and meticulous financial stewardship. Transparency in financial management is our cornerstone, guaranteeing that all funds are allocated to areas of greatest impact. We seek partnerships with like-minded entities and individuals devoted to our values.
Our Principles
Ecological Revitalization and Wildlife Management
Our operational management extends to the heart of rewilding efforts, where we implement cutting-edge ecological restoration techniques to revive and sustain natural habitats. We are dedicated to the protection and enhancement of biodiversity, ensuring that wildlife thrives through meticulous species management and habitat conservation.
News and Information
Your Support Goes a Long Way
Every day at the Africa Conservation Initiative, we’re dedicated to preserving Africa’s wilderness in a socio-economically sustainable way. Your money goes directly into the field where we are working tirelessly to ensure that wild spaces, wildlife, economies, and communities are thriving.