Inside the billionaire's nest

The sprawling game ranch spanning thousands of hectares owned by Russian billionaire Rashid Sardarov in the Dordabis area not only offers exotic wildlife viewing but the property is also a rare find in the country.

Three lodges are situated on 28 000 hectares of land, while trophy hunting at the exclusive Marula Lodge, which includes a professional guide, transportation and lodging, can cost up to US$3 000 (about N$42 000) per night.

Sardarov hopes to carve out a niche for himself in the hunting industry and is now aiming to add 18 000 hectares of neighbouring farms to his most sought-after portfolio, which includes the Marula Farm House and Otjimukona Lodge.

Namibian Sun was yesterday granted the opportunity to have a sneak view of the most talked about game ranch. Surrounded by scenic mountains, the main lodge offers unparalleled views of nature.

“This is exclusivity that nobody can provide,” says general manager Johan Kotze, who took this reporter on tour of the lodge yesterday. Speculation has been rife about the 28 000-hectare Dordabis property after it became public that the Russian owner was seeking the right to buy three neighbouring farms to extend his ranch. Sardarov has also offered to donate N$24 million to the land reform ministry. Kotze is adamant that the lodge – located about 70km from Windhoek - is one of its kind and appeals to the high-end market.

According to Kotze, the luxury upgrades at the ranch took over four years to complete, while close to N$1 billion was spent on the project.

He said they are currently focused on trophy hunting and marketing to prospective hunters abroad.

“Since 2012 to 2016 development has taken place at Marula,” he said. The first piece of land was initially acquired in 2012 and within two years, additional farms were added to the existing property.



Sardarov was apparently looking for land to buy for quite some time in various countries before he came across the farm near Dordabis which at the time had a waiver.



According to Kotze, he chose Namibia for its scenery and political stability. Among other developments that have taken place over the years included the renovation and construction of staff houses, a clinic and a shop.



These farmhouses were eventually turned into the Marula Farm House and the Otjimukona lodge. A total of 500km of gravel roads have been constructed on the land.



According to Kotze, at one stage there were 450 workers living on site during the various refurbishments. Kotze said the Marula Lodge mostly serves as the house for Sardarov and his family and friends.

This lodge was located on a game farm bought by Sardarov and was then renovated to a five-star lodge, while extra chalets have been built. It includes everything on a person's wish list from a butler to a chef, sauna, spa, wraparound pool and snooker table.







Big money



According to Kotze at Marula Lodge hunters can pay US$3 000 per night. The package includes drinks, meals, hunt of the day, a professional guide and transport.



At the other two lodges, accommodation, which is inclusive of a professional guide and transportation, can cost up to US$450 (about N$6 300) per night.



Kotze believes the U$450 is competitive to what other hunting lodges in Namibia offer.



“Marula Lodge is however the exclusive part. Sardarov believes there are other people that want exclusivity. There is a need for this in the market, we are not just throwing a stone in the bush and hoping it works.”

Kotze said the ranch owner visits Namibia about three or four times a year, but appreciates his privacy. He was actually at the lodge just last week, he said.

He occasionally lands at Hosea Kutako International Airport with his private jet and then enjoys the short drive to the farm.



Asked to describe Sardarov, Kotze said he is a very driven man and a visionary.



“He is a big trophy hunter, but he sees the side of conservation,” he said. Kotze dismissed the reports that Sardarov is using the Marula Game Ranch as his personal play ground to hunt with family and friends.



“Yes he comes here with family and friends to hunt. But it is not that he shoots everything in sight. It is going to take time for us to get established in the market.”







Plenty of game



Meanwhile, Kotze said they have acquired a substantial number of game, with the ranch currently boasting 7 500 different species. These include antelope, giraffe, zebra, leeches, crocodiles, hippos, cheetah and other protected species.



Elephants have already been bought from Erindi Game Reserve and within the coming year it is expected that they will be transported to the game ranch. In the future they also want to include lions and if approved buffalo.



According to him, they have also approached the tourism ministry to become custodians of black rhinos. “We want to have the Big Five. It will have a huge impact on the country's impact if you can market these animals.” Kotze said that 7 500 is the realistic number of wild animals for the area.







Anti-poaching



The Marula Game Ranch also has its own anti-poaching unit of 15 members and has also acquired a helicopter that will assist with security and other game-related issues such as darting.



According to Kotze plans are also afoot to get their own veterinarian who they can then hire out with the helicopter to other farms.



“Then more lodges can be added and we can focus on tourism and one part of the game ranch can go towards hunting and another towards tourism. Because hunting and tourism does not go hand in hand,” he said. The lodge currently employs 46 permanent workers.