On a quiet farm in the Khomas Hochland, Ruben Lambrechts grew up with a baboon for a sister, wild animal companions and his twin brother Tertius.
At 26, he is a farmer, wildlife rehabilitator, conservationist, philanthropist, travel tour operator, content creator and an influential voice in the global conservation conversation.
No two days are the same, he says, but he loves it.
He could be checking cattle, fixing water issues, guiding guests through the bush, filming a sleepy meerkat, coordinating bookings or taking a quiet moment in nature to observe and learn.
Rehabilitating animals is all-encompassing work.
“When you take in an orphaned animal, you’re not just feeding it. You become its parent, its comfort, its entire sense of safety,” he says, recalling bottle-feeding baby warthogs through the night.
“Trust is something you earn slowly – through consistency, gentleness and presence.”
Lambrechts grows close to the animals but reminds himself the goal isn’t to tame or control them, but to prepare them for life in the wild or give them a dignified life if injury, trauma or human-animal conflict prevents this.
“[They] were not born to be taken out of nature for human amusement,” he says. “They belong in the wild, where they can practise their natural instincts and live among their own kind.”
To him, keeping wild animals as pets means a life of limitation, not freedom. Some, however, stay close to him out of free will.
His guiding principle is that kindness towards animals and people is never wasted. Even the smallest act of care can change a life, ease suffering or spark hope.
He shares this philosophy, and snippets of farm life, with nearly six million followers across YouTube, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.
Many are drawn to the Namibian landscapes and his friendship with animals, others to his personality. Though shy, he says the exposure has brought funding, awareness and partnerships, giving wild animals a voice.
He has also received a marriage proposal or two, he jokes.
Lambrechts shares his life because wildlife rehabilitation is often misunderstood as heartwarming and simple. In reality, it is emotionally exhausting, physically hard, underfunded and full of tough ethical decisions.
“Every animal teaches you something. It’s emotionally intense, often heartbreaking, but also one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” he says, recalling his baboon ‘sister’ Cindy, now a care-dependent elder, and Tom the meerkat, whose miracle recovery from a brain injury and sudden death left a lasting mark.
He also runs the travel company I Dream Namibia, offering authentic experiences without harming land, people or wildlife. On expeditions he promises more than sightseeing – rather, a connection with the land, animals and oneself.
His charity, The Ruben Lambrechts Foundation, champions environmental conservation, animal rights and social upliftment. A recent GoFundMe campaign raised £28 560 (N$679 953) to support rhino and desert elephant conservation projects and the We Are Together Pre-Primary School at Katutura.
Looking ahead, he aims to create an education centre in Namibia combining wildlife rescue, youth empowerment and eco-tourism. He also dreams of a sanctuary and private reserve for orphaned and endangered animals.
For young Namibians who want to work with nature, he advises starting where they are.
“Volunteer at a local animal shelter, help clean up a riverbed, plant trees in your community or simply observe wildlife. The bush, the desert, the ocean, are your classrooms. Let nature teach you … Namibia needs its youth to rise as protectors and storytellers of the wild.
The future is in our hands – go out and claim it.”
For more information, find Ruben at @RubenNamibia.
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