Training the people who protect Africa's wildlife

Liberty Walk Group is a counter-poaching and tactical training company based in Windhoek, Namibia. We equip rangers, law enforcement professionals and specialised units with the skills, intelligence-driven tactics and integrated capabilities they need to protect wildlife and communities.

Our story

Liberty Walk Group was established in 2021 to make a coherent impact in two areas: conservation, through counter-poaching, and law enforcement training development.

The road to sustainable outcomes is a long journey, challenging in implementation and exciting in delivery. Our approach is built on real-world experience. Every programme is designed around the specific needs of law enforcement and conservation teams, combining advanced strategies with practical application so that what is learned in training works in the field.

We don't just want to provide training. We want to build lasting partnerships with conservancies, national parks, private reserves, agencies and security teams, and to help set a new standard of conservation and law enforcement that can be sustained over the long term, nationally and across sectors.

Our leadership

John and Annika Goodwin, founders and directors

John and Annika are the founders and directors of Liberty Walk Group.

John leads Counter-Poaching Aviation Integration (CPAI). He retired from the British Army in 2019 and joined an anti-poaching volunteer programme in Africa the same year.

Annika is Marketing Director for the Counter-Poaching and Wildlife Institute.

Joan Smit, Institute Director

Joan Smit is a director of the Counter-Poaching and Wildlife Institute and leads education there.

Ingram van Heerden, Training Centre Director

Ingram van Heerden is a director of the Liberty Walk Tactical Training Centre and leads the centre.

What we do

Counter-Poaching and Wildlife Institute

A structured counter-poaching curriculum aligned to Namibia's NQF, from the National Certificate in Counter-Poaching (NQF Levels 4–5) to the National Diploma in Advanced Counter-Poaching (NQF Level 6), built to give rangers a recognised training and career path.

Liberty Walk Tactical Training Centre

Customised tactical training for law enforcement, military, security and specialised units, from site vulnerability assessments and doctrine development to marksmanship, close quarters tactics and active threat response.

Counter-Poaching Aviation Integration (CPAI)

Training that helps ground teams bring aerial surveillance, detection and response (drones, rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft) into counter-poaching operations, including the CPAI-G ground controller qualification.

Work with us

Whether you run a reserve, lead a ranger unit, manage a security team or want to start a career in counter-poaching, we'd like to hear from you. Tell us what you need and we'll build training around your team, your terrain and your mission.