About Aru

Aru Game Lodges (Pty) Ltd (ARU) was established in 2005

and has 2 hunting reserves with 2 upmarket lodges to the east and south east of Windhoek and pride itself as being ranked as one of the most professional and ethical hunting outfitters within Namibia.

The managing director of Aru Game Lodges (Pty) Ltd, Danene van der Westhuyzen, is a qualified Dangerous Game Professional Hunter and Aru Game Lodges (Pty) Ltd furthermore have 6 professional hunters in their permanent employment, of which three are Previously Disadvantages Namibians.

We believe very strongly in humility – in working hard to ensure our clients have an amazing time on safari with us. ARU has been honoured to receive accolades for our incredible efforts, including the prestigious Outfitter of the Year award in 2018 by the Dallas Safari Club.

Not only are we placing a high emphasis on empowerment for the community, but also on women leaders, owners, and influencers. Danene van der Westhuyzen, who is owner and serves as managing director of ARU is a showcase example of women empowerment and leadership.

She is one of only a few qualified female professional hunters in Namibia, and the first female dangerous game PH to qualify in Namibia. She is passionate about ethical hunting and educating people in all aspects of hunting and conservation.

Danene is the past president of the Namibian Professional Hunters Association (NAPHA), the CEO of the Operators & Professional Hunting Associations of Africa (OPHAA), trustee of Hunters United Against Poaching, board member of the Nature Conservation Board of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and serves on the DSC Conservation Advisory Board. She was also elected as director to the Conservation Force board in late January 2020. She was also voted onto the CIC board in 2023 as African advisor.

She achieved many accolades and awards for her contribution to conservation throughout the years, such as the following:

2020 SCI President’s award

2018 Outfitter of the Year award

by Dallas Safari Club

Presidential Accolade

She received the presidential accolade awarded to her by the deputy prime minister Dr. Zsolt Semjén, and the government commissioner Zoltán Kovács, at the Hungarian Parliament.

Ambassador for Southern Africa

She served as the ambassador for Southern Africa at the world One With Nature event in Hungary in 2021

The Most Medal Trophy award

by the Namibia Professional Hunting Association six years in a row

Ox of the Okavango award

by the African Professional Hunters Association for her exceptional conservation contributions

The principal shareholder of Aru Game Lodges (Pty) Ltd is Mr André Swanepoel, a hunter of more than 50 years who is also the Managing Director of the leading Namibian law firm Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Inc.

 

We are first and foremost conservationists, and our ARU family takes pride in our community and efforts towards a better Namibia.

We cannot wait to welcome you into our family.

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Contact

+264 (0)81 129 5536
info@arugamelodges.com
Windhoek, Namibia

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