( CNN ) -- Poached for use in traditional Chinese medicine or sold as exotic pets . Sometimes slaughtered in a vicious , drawn-out war . We 're all familiar with the themes dominating headlines about Africa 's declining wildlife . Lions , elephants and tigers , one might think , will exist only in sad tales told to children in a decade or two . Yet amid the disturbing news , one African wildlife success story stands out like the sun rising over the Serengeti -- and it 's great news for travelers . With sustainable wildlife tourism as the long-term goal , the southern African nation of Namibia has been making ambitious commitments to habitat conservation since its independence in 1990 . Almost half of country protected . The nation of 2.2 million people was the first African country to write environmental protection into its constitution . More than 40 % of Namibia is now under some form of conservation management . Officially inaugurated in March 2012 , the KAZA ( Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area ) initiative established a 100,000-square-mile , five-nation conservation zone -- the world 's largest . Encompassing the entire Caprivi Panhandle in Namibia , KAZA 's `` conservation beyond borders '' approach protects wildlife corridors shared by Angola , Botswana , Namibia , Zambia and Zimbabwe . Central to the effort are the communal conservancies -- rural communities that share the proceeds of wildlife ventures equitably between members -- that now cover one-fifth of the country and affect 250,000 rural Namibians . Human-wildlife conflict reversed . In many cases , poachers have become protectors , as Namibians have come to appreciate the long-term benefits of living with wildlife . Generations of human-wildlife conflict are being reversed , while communities are made stakeholders . Much of Namibia 's wildlife is now flourishing . This is also good news for travelers . With more than 30 conservancy lodges dotting the Caprivi Panhandle and north-central regions -- Namibia 's wildlife hotbeds -- visitors are privy to some of the most unforgettable wildlife encounters in Africa . Five top Namibian wildlife lodges . Susuwe Island Lodge . This remote island lodge in Namibia 's eastern Caprivi is a gateway to wildlife spotting along the Kwando River and perennial wetlands . Game drives deliver superb sightings of elephant herds , lion , leopard , hippo , zebra , impala and scores of bird species . Susuwe Island Lodge ; +264 64 40 3523 ; rates from N $ 2,408 ( $ 230 ) per person/day based on double occupancy ( meals , activities extra ) Camp Chobe . Boat safaris from this tent camp near the Botswana border spot elephant families in the river , along with buffalo , hippo and large Nile crocodiles . Camp Chobe ; +264 81 800 0762 ; rates from N $ 600 ( $ 57 ) per person/day based on double occupancy ( meals , activities extra ) Chobe Safari Lodge . This substantial lodge actually located in Kasane , Botswana , is a plush base to explore the wetlands of Chobe National Park . Land safaris into the park include sightings of elephant , giraffe , buffalo , hippo and lion . Chobe Safari Lodge ; +267 652 0 336 ; rates from N $ 1,333 ( $ 132 ) per room ( meals , activities extra ) Ongava Lodge . The stark landscape here includes huge saline deserts and intermittent waterholes that are magnets to wildlife . Game drive sightings regularly include lion , leopard and hyena , as well as endangered black and white rhino . Ongava Lodge ; +264 676 87187 ; rates from N $ 4,668 ( $ 463 ) per person/day , includes accommodation , meals/beverages , activities and guided tours . Lianshulu Lodge . Game drive sightings departing from this isolated lodge on the Kwando River include large herds of elephant , antelope , zebra , leopard and , uncommon for Namibia , herds of buffalo . Lianshulu Lodge ; +264 64 40 3523 ; rates from N $ 2,184 ( $ 216 ) per person/day based on double occupancy ( meals , activities extra ) Ted Stedman traveled to Namibia with the Adventure Travel Trade Association .
Namibia was first African nation to write environmental conservation into constitution . Comment: More than 30 conservancy lodges dot the Caprivi Panhandle and north-central regions of Namibia .