Our History
1st Generation
Our story began in 1910 in what is now Namibia, then a German colony. In the heart of the Kalahari, Hans Lühl laid the foundation under challenging conditions—driven by a pioneering spirit, hard work, and a life lived in harmony with nature.
Stone by Stone
With simple means and a great deal of hard work, the first farmhouse was built in the Kalahari. Stone by stone, the foundation for a lasting home was laid here—built to endure for generations.
Completion of the Farm
After years of hard work, the farmhouse in the Kalahari was completed. Amid the vast expanse of the landscape, a home was created—simple, enduring, and ready for the generations to come.
Beginning of Cattle Ranching
One year after the completion of the farmhouse, cattle ranching was established in the Kalahari. It soon became an essential source of livelihood and went on to shape life on the farm for generations.
Horses for the Kaiser
As early as 1911, horse breeding began in the Kalahari. The horses were raised under demanding conditions and came to symbolize quality, endurance, and a close connection to the spirit of the era.
The First Guest Hunt
From 1915 onwards, the farm in the Kalahari welcomed its first hunting guests. This marked the beginning of a tradition of hospitality that remains an important part of our heritage to this day.
2nd Generation
The next generation was growing up. The first children of the family experienced life on the farm from the very beginning. Surrounded by vast open spaces, hard work, and nature, they developed a deep connection to the Kalahari at an early age and carried the family legacy forward.(Hans Jochen Lühl, born 1914; Hilda, born 1915; Hans Richard, born 1919; Erika, born 1920; and Hannelore, born 1922.) In 1953, ownership of the farm was passed on to Hans Jochen Lühl.
The Famous Lühl Cheese
With the construction of the cheese dairy in 1934, a new chapter began on the farm in the Kalahari. Using milk from its own production, the farm created the renowned “Lühl Cheese,” which was successfully marketed and became known as a symbol of regional quality.
3rd Generation
The third generation was growing up—still children, yet already deeply involved in life on the farm. Together with the second generation, they experienced the rhythms of daily life in the Kalahari and gradually carried forward the traditions that had been built over the years. In 1983, Hans Jochen Lühl handed over the farm to his sons, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the family’s history.
The Farm from the Air
An aerial photograph from 1988 captures the farm’s development in the Kalahari. Over the generations, the modest beginnings had grown into an extensive farming enterprise—revealed in its full scale and layout from above.
4th Generation
As the fourth generation reached adulthood, it became increasingly involved in the life and management of the farm. Together with the third generation, they took on growing responsibilities and helped guide the future of the farm in the Kalahari.
5th Generation
Together with the fourth generation, Jule Hess (née Lühl) and her husband, Sigurd Hess, have taken responsibility for the farm. With great dedication, they continue the family tradition while at the same time guiding the operation into the future. Under their leadership, cattle ranching, charcoal production, and hunting remain central pillars of the farm. Meanwhile, their two children are already growing up immersed in farm life—representing the next generation in a long and enduring family story.
To This Day
Garib Farm remains a family-run enterprise, carried forward from generation to generation. Cattle ranching, charcoal production, and hunting continue to form the foundation of the business, combining generations of experience with a strong sense of responsibility and a commitment to the future.