Gondwana Collection Namibia Online Brochure

N A M I B I A W I T H H E A R T A N D S O U L

GONDWANA COLLECTION BROCHURE2

Namibia

How often do you need to visit this extraordinary country before you know it? How long does it take to become one with its culture, to take in its soul, to grasp its grand natural wonders?

Some say it takes a lifetime. We say it takes just fourteen times.

Fourteen lodges have been carefully and individually constructed by Gondwana over the

last two decades. Hopscotch from lodge to lodge or take a long, slow journey, relishing the

different character of each.

Built on spectacular pieces of land, in close proximity to main attractions, each lodge has

its own identity and charm. They are managed in accordance with sound environmental

principles and embrace Namibia’s rich cultural diversity.

From the south where the Fish River Canyon opens into a vast smile of ancient chasms

carved by the patient hands of eternity, to the soft sienna sand dunes, the Kalahari,

Etosha National Park and the wild waterways of the Zambezi, the lodges provide a friendly

home from which to explore. Return after a day of wonderful adventure to indulge in true

Namibian hospitality.

A dream in fourteen parts – and a fifteenth, marvellous!

This is the Gondwana feeling: Namibia with heart and soul.

GONDWANA COLLECTION BROCHURE 5

PHILOSOPHYHonouring the past

Dreams were discovered and history unravelled when the first Gondwana lodge was built on the farm Karios. Retaining the quaint century-old German farmhouse as the reception area, Canyon Lodge exudes the warmth and passion felt by its creators, the Schanderl brothers.

Deported after WW1, they tried in

vain to return to their beloved home.

A bedstead, fitted by the brothers

in observance of Bavarian tradition,

still stands on the roof of the building

to inform ladies that a bachelor is in

residence.

Over the years, Gondwana acquired

adjacent sheep farms to establish

the expansive 130 000 hectare / 1300

square-kilometre nature reserve, the

Gondwana Canyon Park. As fences

were dismantled, the wildlife began

to recover and as the land healed,

the remnants of the people who once

lived on the farms were discovered:

old shepherd shelters, engravings,

implements, graves and buildings

that had been taken over by nesting

birds. Stories were recounted under

trees, in huts and farmhouses over

time, and the tales of old were woven

together to provide a clearer image

of life in the arid Karas region.

These tales and others - the stories

of the Namibian people, their strug-

gles and triumphs over the years

and their fascinating traditions, have

been collected and recorded in the

treasure-house of history, adding

to the geological masterpieces that

enrich the land.


PHILOSOPHYHonouring Nature

A seed was planted when the first piece of land was investigated near the Fish River Canyon nearly twenty years ago. This was a vision of a large conservation area. It would take many years to come to fruition.

As sheep farmers put up their land

for sale, discouraged by drought

and the unfeasibility of farming in

the inhospitable south, farm after

farm was acquired. Fences were

dismantled, waterholes established

and wildlife reintroduced. The area

evolved into the professionally-run

Gondwana Canyon Park, one of the

largest protected areas in Africa, ad-

ministered full-time by park wardens

and monitored through annual game

counts. Slowly, animal numbers

increased and the flora regener-

ated as the land was ‘rewilded’

and brought back into balance.

Gondwana’s dedication didn’t stop

there. As the Collection grew, three

more reserves were created in other

parts of the country, totalling 1 970

square kilometres of protected area.

This attention to conservation and

sustainability, and determination

to tread lightly on the Earth has

extended to our lodges, where

water-recycling plants enable

this precious resource to be used

to water gardens, solar panels

harness natural energy, recycling

minimises waste and a Self-

Sufficiency Centre grows fresh

produce for our guests.

Four of the lodges have recently

received top honours in the Eco

Awards - the environmental seal of

quality.


PHILOSOPHYHonouring people

An important pillar of the Gondwana Philosophy, and one that stands sturdily with that of Conservation, is our commitment to the Namibian people. Our 600 staff members mirror the cultural diversity of the country and are an integral part of the company.

Acknowledging their value, we invest

heavily in staff training offering ave-

nues of advancement. The training

department provides a comprehen-

sive programme including computer

and language courses, service train-

ing, HIV education and provides

awareness of the need for family

planning, old-age provision and

health-care.

The Gondwana staff complement

includes service, guiding and man-

agerial staff at the fourteen lodges;

administration, marketing, manage-

rial, human resources and technical

staff in Windhoek; Self-Sufficiency

Centre staff who grow produce for

the lodges, run the butchery and the

cheese-making facility in Stampriet;

and the well-qualified team of park

rangers who monitor the fauna and

flora, conduct anti-poaching patrols

and support research projects.

Visitors to the Gondwana lodges

immediately experience the feeling

of self-assurance and well-being

radiating from the staff, stemming

from their awareness of being part

of a greater whole.

Welcome to Gondwana. We greet

you with a smile and a warm

handshake.


FEELINGSPlace of wonders

Isn’t it remarkable - that Namibia is named after the vast and ancient Namib Desert, yet its dune fields have been acknowledged as a World Heritage site not only for their beauty but for the myriad life forms which make the desert their home?

That Etosha National Park covers 22 912 square kilometres and

is home to an abundance of African animals? That the dunes

of Sossusvlei, a medley of burnished colours, rise to a height

of up to 325 metres? That the Tsauchab River hurtles through

the Sesriem Canyon and through the waterless desert to curl

up like a sleepy snake in the arms of the gigantic star dunes?

That the striking and picturesque vestiges of camelthorn trees

at Dead Vlei are 500 years old? That the Okavango River

placidly makes its way through the Kavango region before

draining into the thirsty Kalahari basin? And that the Fish River

Canyon, which is 550 metres deep and 150 kilometres long,

had its beginnings 1500 million years ago, when humanity was

just a breath of star-dust – and a dream.

Full of wonders, this place of marvels, the land of the great

Namib Desert.


FEELINGSWhere animals roamwild and free

Somewhere in a rugged ravine, a leopard pads through a riverbed, its muscles rippling restlessly below its dappled pelt; somewhere on a sandy Kalahari dune a gemsbok proudly defies the soaring summer temperatures; and somewhere on a grassy plain, a young springbok pronks into the air with all the vitality he can muster showing the world that he is alive.

Gondwana celebrates the natural world in its four nature

reserves: The Gondwana Canyon Park, Gondwana Kalahari

Park, Gondwana Namib Park and Gondwana Sperrgebiet

Rand Park.

The professionally-run Gondwana Canyon Park is one of the

largest private nature reserves in Africa. Wildlife from the Park is

beginning to migrate onto the adjacent state land, repopulating

the vast Fish River Complex, an area where the wildlife was

once hunted to near-extinction.

Join us for this life-affirming experience of undisturbed nature.


FEELINGSHello neighbour

Our hunter-gatherer ancestors left their prayers to the gods engraved in the sandstone rocks of Twyfelfontein thousands of years ago. Their shamans tapped out pleas for water, protection and luck for the hunt, merging the spiritual and physical worlds.

They left us with cathedrals of prayer, reminding us that we are

all one and our needs are essentially the same. It is this heritage

that unites the diverse groups of Namibians who have come to

call this corner of Africa home: the earliest-known inhabitants,

the San, and those who travelled over the centuries from the

great lakes of East Africa, arrived by ship from colder climes

and journeyed by horse and ox-wagon from the Cape, crossing

the Great River.

All the various languages, dialects and the clicks that confound

the western tongue combine and transform into one language

and two words: Hello neighbour.


FEELINGSLinking hands

After the intrepid Portuguese sailors planted their cross on the rocky coast in 1488, the forbidding desert coastline was shunned for hundreds of years in favour of greener shores.

Eventually, when the Scramble for Africa reached south-western Africa,

Europe and Africa met and mixed. This was sometimes in battle for

supremacy and sometimes in friendship and peace. German South West

Africa was short-lived and in its stead, South Africa planted its flag. It too

couldn’t stop the march of time and in 1990, the first democratic elections

were held. Namibia became an independent country with one people and a

rich and diverse cultural heritage.

Today, you can pop into a supermarket and buy a brötchen, join a braaivleis

or sit down in a shebeen for a glass of local brew.

This melting pot of cultures is best seen in Windhoek where amongst the

throng wearing jeans and t-shirts, a Herero woman may proudly glide down

the street in her many-layered dress and a Himba woman sit selling her

wares.

We salute this wonderful and colourful blend of cultures that have comfortably

merged into one: Namibian.


Fourteen lodges, different every time

Each Gondwana lodge warms the heart, delights and inspires. Built in locations with spectacular landscapes, they are in close proximity to epic natural wonders, geological marvels, World Heritage sites, places steeped in history and animal sanctuaries.

As individual as their locations, they offer intrigue, amusement, awe, entertainment, comfort, friendliness

and rest. Whether our guests are watching the red orb of the sun sink into the mopane trees from

the deck at Etosha Safari Lodge, listening to the sounds of the Zambezi waterworld at Namushasha,

laughing with friends at the Roadhouse, watching the dunes turn gold at Namib Desert Lodge or looking

out onto Gondwana Canyon Park from Canyon Lodge, the special beauty of each reaches out and

makes itself felt.

Fourteen times Gondwana, but different every time. Except, that is, for the parting comment, which is

the same throughout: “See you again.”

Hakusembe River Lodge Namushasha River Lodge Kalahari Farmhouse Etosha Safari Camp

Namib Desert Lodge

Kalahari Anib Lodge

Eagle’s Nest Chalets

Damara Mopane Lodge

Desert Horse InnCanyon Roadhouse

Namib Dune Star Camp Etosha Safari Lodge

Canyon Lodge

A lush green oasis on the banks of the Okavango River. Absorb river peace from one of the twenty chalets, hop aboard the Hakusembe River Queen, stroll to the cultural village or just relax on the deck listening to the soft symphony of feathered friends.

Experience this Zambezi king-dom from 24 chalets dotted along the leafy river bank. Join the Caprivians in song and dance at the traditional heritage centre, salute wizened elephant giants in the Bwabwata National Park and glide through wild water-ways. Revel in Namushasha gold.

A lush secret-garden in the arid Kalahari. This intimate lodge has 11 chalets finished with colourful quilts, fireplaces and cosy farmhouse charm. Visit the adjacent Self-Sufficiency Centre, join a trip into the Gondwana Kalahari Park to watch the sunset over the fiery red dunes, and rest.

Tap toes to an African beat in the novel Oshebeena Bar and relax at this friendly Camp, ten kilometres from Etosha National Park. 50 chalets, shaded by mopane trees, and a grassy campsite provide a comfortable home from which to explore the abundant animal kingdom. Legendary.

Set below striking fossilised dunes, the comfortable lodge provides a spectacular expe-rience of ancient desert. 65 rooms, two swimming pools and a waterhole are surrounded by sandy splendour. Breathe in the grandeur on a sunset drive and feel the earth underfoot. Relax in the arms of the Namib.

Savour the Kalahari Desert at this easily accessible lodge. 36 rooms flank a shady courtyard, with another 19 overlooking Kalahari savannah. Stretch legs on the walks and join the afternoon drive to experience the red Kalahari sands aglow with an inner fire.

Forever landscapes, solitude, silence and sunsets. Klein-Aus Vista’s Eagle’s Nest is a self-catering getaway with 8 individually-built rock chalets. Keep to yourself or drive to Desert Horse Inn’s restaurant for delicious fare and congenial company. Return to dream of peace and wake to magnificent sunrise scenery.

Built in a labyrinth design, this innovative lodge has 55 chalets, each with its own vegetable garden. Savour the charm from your stoep where sunflowers peep over walls, refresh in the pool, visit the Twyfelfontein rock engravings 100 km away and watch the sun sink into mopane woodland.

Where the subtle colours of the grassy Pro-Namib merge with Namib sands in a lovers’ embrace, you’ll find Klein-Aus Vista. Surrounded by the rocky Aus hills, Desert Horse Inn is an attractive base for a sojourn in south-western Namibia en route to the famed dunes of Sossusvlei.

Fill up with smiles at this innovative lodge that celebrates the good old days of the automobile. It offers peaceful slumber in 24 spacious rooms and boasts a pool, a campsite, a fuel station, an inviting terrace and the most extraordinary restaurant in southern Namibia.

Suitable for a striking film set, Canyon Village lies at the foot of a sweeping rock face. Exhibiting authentic canyon character, the sprawling lodge explores the story of the south in murals, traditional Nama dress and even a donkey cart to convey baggage to rooms.

Escape from the world. A short guided hike or drive leads you into a vast desert wilderness and to nine wooden cabins. After the dunes have transformed to gold and the distant mountains glow purple, it’s time to wheel beds onto balconies for a night under the glittering sky of the Namib.

Sip on a drink while watching the ruby sun dip into the mopane woodland. Perched on a hill with expansive views, this stylish lodge offers 65 chalets that provide a peaceful base from which to explore the animal bounty of Etosha National Park.

A gem in the rugged envi-ronment, Canyon Lodge is a fusion of farmhouse flavour and natural splendour. Walk-ways lead to 25 natural stone chalets nestled amongst granite boulders. Celebrate dawn amongst th e quiver trees and the awe-inspiring adventure of life from the rim of the Fish River Canyon.

Canyon Village


Time well spent

Your time with Gondwana can be pure relaxation, total fascination or boundless adventure.

Whether on a tour or a self-drive holiday, our collection of lodges dotted through the exciting country,

provide easy passage for an unforgettable journey.

Join our guided excursions into places of great wonder: the Fish River Canyon, Etosha and Bwabwata

National Park. Partake in trails radiating out from the lodges to gain a feeling for the land, and sunset

drives to toast and celebrate life on Namibian soil.

And tick off a bucket-list adventure on a guided trail through the meandering gorges of the Fish

River Canyon where hardy mules carry gear leaving you free to frolic. Specially chosen camps nestle

along the river bank and on the plateaus, offering eagles’ views. Overnight on soft beds in bungalows

or in tented camps, enjoy three-course meals cooked on the fire and the luxury of open-walled hot

showers. Swim in the river, read tracks in the sand and sleep under the starry sky, at peace and deeply

connected with the Earth.

Exceptional. Extraordinary. Outstanding.


The Okavango Experience

Balancing the semi-arid stretches and deserts of Namibia are the refreshing water worlds of north-eastern Namibia.

EXPERIENCES

Rising in the Bié Plateau in central

Angola, the Okavango River has

its own agenda. Lured by African

magic, it has no intention of rushing

to the sea but meanders into the

southern interior. Flowing in a south-

easterly direction, it enters Namibia

in the Kavango region, forming

the border between the countries,

before widening into the fanlike

channels of the Okavango Delta

where it ebbs into desert sands.

This vein of life blesses us with a

serene ribbon of green along its

journey. Fish eagles fly from the

trees affirming their African spirit

and sluggish crocodiles laze on

sandy banks. Rural Africa and the

river world merge and play melodic

harmonies here. The sounds of

cows mooing, children laughing and

dug-out canoes gliding through the

river fuse with the chiming of reed

frogs, bird calls and the gentle

lapping of water.

Perfectly positioned on the southern

bank of the Okavango River,

Hakusembe River Lodge radiates

peace. A lush river oasis, it lies

16km from the bustle of Rundu.

The thatched chalets provide ideal

retreats and the verdant garden,

a paradise to relish. An enchanted

destination in the Kavango,

Hakusembe is a convenient place

to pause and rest en-route to the

Zambezi and the rushing waters of

the Victoria Falls.


The Zambezi Experience

The lure of wild Africa is felt as you drive into the north-eastern corner of Namibia. Once called the Caprivi strip and later the Caprivi region before claiming its full African heritage, the Zambezi region is a step into the heart of the continent.

EXPERIENCES

A tree-filled expanse dotted with

villages and elephant caution

signs welcome you. Unusually, this

corridor containing the Bwabwata

National Park is a protected

home to both wildlife and people,

ushering in a concept of coexistence,

stewardship and synergy.

Two smaller national parks, the

Mudumu and Nkasa Rupara, lie

along the Kwando waterway that

becomes the Linyanti and Chobe

rivers as it flows eastwards.

This is also where you’ll find

Namushasha River Lodge, a thatch-

roofed Zambezi kingdom elegantly

positioned under trees, looking out

onto reeds and the Kwando River.

It is a wilderness haven where the

lethargic sound of hippos grunting

floats through the air intermingling

with birdsong.

Every part of the day has its own

magic here, whether strolling to the

traditional heritage centre to laugh

with the Mafwe and learn about the

Caprivian way of life, taking a midday

siesta or joining a boat cruise along

the waterways and a drive into

Bwabwata National Park. Return to

Namushasha to be welcomed with

smiles and sweet sherry. Savour

the last streaks of sunset from the

deck before darkness descends and

the delicious supper aromas can no

longer be ignored.


Unlike its name, however, the

22 912-square-kilometre national

park is a place of sanctuary and

abundance. With a variety of

vegetation types, from thorn bush

and woodland savannah, stands of

makalani palms and the ‘phantom’

moringa trees (sprokiesbome)

to the chalky white pan, Etosha

National Park is home to myriad

species of wildlife. 114 mammal

species are found in the park

including the antisocial black rhino

and the endemic black-faced

impala. Waterholes are dotted

along the southern section of the

pan providing effortless viewing.

Unequalled Earthly experiences

can be garnered here: watching a

family of elephants silently appear

and hurry excitedly towards the

water, lions lazing contentedly in

the shade of a bush, elegant giraffe

loping across the road and a herd

of handsome zebra nuzzling each

other affectionately.

The Etosha Experience

At sunrise the gates open to the ‘Great White Place’ or ‘Place of Dry Water’, as the Owambo people have called the heart of the country since time immemorial.

EXPERIENCES

At the end of a full Etosha day, while

some are still racing the sun, others

are lounging on the sundowner deck

of Etosha Safari Lodge or enjoying

a drink at the Oshebeena Bar at

Etosha Safari Camp, contemplating

Etosha marvels and the thrill of

being in the African wilderness.

Anticipation is already mounting for

the new day. Here, at Gondwana’s

lodges, just ten kilometres from

Andersson Gate, a new adventure

begins with every dawn.


The Damaraland Experience

Home to the Damara people, Damaraland is a large stretch of African savannah with rounded granite domes, table-top mountains and ephemeral rivers that thunder down their ancient courses after heavy summer rainfall to be quickly absorbed into underground aquifers for safe storage.

EXPERIENCES

These veins of life are wildlife

havens and highways where wild

rhino and desert elephants roam.

The landscape intensifies into red

stone in dry summers and bleached

grassy stretches in more abundant

seasons, but at the end of the day it

always softens into dramatic pastel

beauty.

This is the place where hunter-

gatherer groups congregated at

Twyfelfontein, the ‘doubtful spring’,

in the dry season and where their

shamans chiselled prayers into the

sandstone rock. It is where ancient

forests rested after tumultuous

journeys down rivers, fossilising

over the aeons, and where rock was

fashioned into organ-like structures

as if attempting to play a fusion

of divine and earthy music to the

endless blue sky.

It is also where Damara Mopane Lodge is found, nestled in a green

forest of heart-shaped leaves; an

island of bliss on the doorstep of

spectacular sights. Relax on your

stoep at this enchanting lodge,

between sunflowers and passion

fruit, cool off in the gigantic pool and

watch the sun sink into the mopane

woodland at the end of the day.

Above the world, everything falls into

perspective. Life is indeed good.


The Kalahari Experience

Colours run riot in the Kalahari Desert where yellow grass and dark green acacias are accentuated against burnt-orange sand and the blue of an infinite sky. And when the sun prepares its farewell for the day, it draws on all the hues of the celestial prism.

EXPERIENCES

This is the time between day and

dream when magic hovers and the

fiery colours of sand dunes brighten

and deepen. Life pauses catching its

breath. And so does everyone else,

standing atop a dune, watching this

earthly show in vibrant colour.

The magnificent landscape is home

to hardy desert-adapted gemsbok,

springbok, ostrich, black-backed

jackal, the massive kori bustard

and the rambling nests of social

weavers that have skilfully mastered

thermodynamic principles and life

in the desert. It is also home to the

Kalahari Anib Lodge and Kalahari Farmhouse - and luckily, their guests.

Experience the beauty of the

Kalahari on a sunset drive at Kalahari

Anib and appreciate abundance of

a different sort at the Farmhouse

where artesian water blesses the

desert, creating a lush secret garden

and nurturing the salad greens on

Gondwana’s own farm.

The Kalahari; it dances to a different

beat. Feel the magic.


Not far from where the blue-green

river of the Fish River meanders

through the canyon gorges are

Canyon Lodge, nestled gracefully

amongst the granite boulders,

and Canyon Village, set against a

sweeping backdrop of rock. Slightly

nearer to the main viewpoints is the

Canyon Roadhouse, a ‘must-do’ stop

to fill up on smiles and pay tribute to

the good old days of the automobile.

The Canyon Experience

The Fish River begins its journey in the Naukluft Mountains, seeking its lover, the Gariep or Orange River in the south. It flows steadily at first, dropping over two waterfalls before reaching the Löwen River and plunging into the canyon on its serpentine route to the end of the gorge at Ai-Ais. Sometimes, the Fish River is calm and quiet, and at other times it hurtles through the canyon walls in a rush of water. In this way it makes its rendezvous with the Gariep and carves out the canyon’s chasms, as it has done for over a hundred million years.

EXPERIENCES

Feel the magnitude of Earth-time

in relation to the fleeting brush

of human life on the canyon rim.

And take the once-in-a-lifetime

opportunity to hike through its

pristine depths on the canyon mule

trail, overnighting in specially chosen

camps. Away from civilisation, the

canyon grandeur is yours alone.

This unique privilege is offered by

the Gondwana Collection, nature

and time.


Diamonds were discovered in the

early 1900s, the Namib Sand Sea

was proclaimed a World Heritage

site in 2013 and thousands of

visitors annually pay homage to the

magnificence of Sossusvlei and

Dead Vlei.

The Namib Desert achieved one

more astounding feat, it transformed

piles of sand into fossilised dunes.

This is where Namib Desert Lodge

lies, sheltered by a striking red sand

formation.

The Namib Experience

This ancient desert tried to call attention to itself for 50 to 80 million years. It grew to 2000 kilometres long and nearly 200 kilometres wide, assembled lofty sand dunes and sculpted a range of artistically designed dunes in various shapes. It harboured flora and fauna in its sands and called the soft mist from the ocean to sustain them. It even welcomed the diamonds that had washed down the Orange River and into the Atlantic into its generous arms. And, no-one gave it a second thought. Finally, we are willing to receive the magnificence of the Namib Desert.

EXPERIENCES

Experience the luminosity of the

landscape on an afternoon drive

when the sun anoints the land and

join the trail to Namib Dune Star to

overnight in desert wilderness far

from the world.

Yes, ancient Namib. We are ready.


The Aus Mountain Experience

There is something extraordinarily special about the landscape around Klein-Aus Vista. It’s where streaks of Namib sand merge with the bleached grasses of the Pro-Namib in a sensuous slow dance of splendour.

EXPERIENCES

The lodge, nestled in the rocky Aus

Mountains, is famed for its extensive

and lovely vistas, best seen from one

of the mountain bike or hiking trails,

a viewpoint above the campsite

or from the secluded Eagle’s Nest chalets. Contributing to the scenery,

the Wild Horses of the Namib

remind us of untethered freedom

and appeal to our soul to embrace

the wonderful adventure of life in its

entirety. Desert Horse Inn is imbued

with the energy of the horses, adding

a spirited component to the warmth

of the family-owned lodge.

As the pastel landscape transforms

into desert en route to Lüderitz and

the coast, there is the abandoned

diamond mining town of Kolmanskop

to visit where disintegrating houses

are a photographer’s playground,

a desert town to discover and

fascinating promontories to explore.

Set your GPSs for Klein-Aus Vista.

Indulge in a dream of freedom.

N A M I B I A

Canyon Lodge & Village

Klein-Aus Vista

Namib Desert Lodge & Namib Dune Star Camp

Damara Mopane Lodge

Hakusembe River Lodge

NamushashaRiver Lodge

Etosha Safari Camp & Lodge

Kalahari Anib Lodge

Kalahari Farmhouse

CanyonRoadhouse

Gondwana Canyon Park

Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park

Gondwana Namib Park

Gondwana Kalahari Park

Windhoek

Etosha National

Park

+264 61 230 066 | [email protected]@klein-aus-vista.com

www.gondwana-collection.com

Gondwana Collection Namibia GondwanaLodges

Date post:	01-Apr-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	gondwana-collection-namibia
View:	225 times
Download:	2 times

Gondwana Collection Namibia Online Brochure

Documents