Frequently Asked
Questions

Gondwana Collection offers a wide range of Namibia safari activities and nature experiences across the country’s deserts, wildlife areas, rivers, and cultural landscapes.

Activities vary by property and region, allowing travellers to experience Namibia’s wildlife, landscapes, cultures, and dramatic scenery in different ways. Popular activities include:

• Guided game drives

• Sossusvlei excursions

• Stargazing experiences

• Boat cruises

• Cultural tours

• Photography and birdwatching experiences

• Rhino tracking

• Sundowner drives

• Guided night walks

Game drives are available at many Gondwana Collection lodges, especially those near Etosha National Park and Namibia’s wildlife regions.

Guided safari drives are led by experienced guides who share insights into Namibia’s wildlife, ecosystems, landscapes, and conservation efforts. Guests may encounter elephants, lions, giraffes, rhinos, antelope species, and birdlife depending on the region and season.

Desert lodges in the Namib region focus more on scenic nature drives, geology, and desert-adapted wildlife rather than traditional big game safaris.

Yes, many Gondwana Collection lodges offer guided excursions designed to help travellers experience Namibia beyond a standard self-drive holiday.

Guided activities allow guests to learn more about Namibia’s wildlife, history, geology, and cultures while exploring remote landscapes safely and comfortably. Depending on the destination, guided excursions may include:

• Sossusvlei dune tours
• Sesriem Canyon visits
• Guided nature walks
• Boat cruises
• Cultural village experiences
• Scenic drives
• Stargazing excursions
• Birdwatching tours
• Photography experiences

Most Gondwana Collection lodges offer Wi-Fi access in guest areas such as receptions, restaurants, lounges, and in some rooms.

Because many lodges are located in remote wilderness areas, internet connectivity may occasionally be slower than in towns or cities. Many travellers appreciate the opportunity to disconnect and enjoy a more immersive safari and nature experience.

Guests who require reliable connectivity for work or communication are encouraged to confirm Wi-Fi availability when booking.

Meal inclusions vary depending on the lodge, room type, and travel package booked.

Most Gondwana Collection lodges include breakfast, while selected safari packages include dinner and breakfast or full-board options. Restaurants serve a mix of local Namibian cuisine and international dishes inspired by regional flavours and fresh ingredients.

Guests can confirm meal inclusions directly with the reservations team when booking their Namibia safari or lodge stay.

Yes, Gondwana Collection lodges cater for a range of dietary requirements when informed in advance.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other special dietary needs can usually be accommodated. Guests are encouraged to share dietary preferences during the booking process to ensure the best possible dining experience.

Many lodge restaurants focus on fresh ingredients and flexible menu options suitable for international travellers.

Yes, selected Gondwana Collection properties offer self-catering accommodation for travellers seeking flexibility and independence during their Namibia holiday.

Self-catering accommodation is ideal for:

• Families

• Long stays

• Namibia road trips

• Self-drive holidays

• Small groups

These units generally include kitchen facilities, outdoor areas, braai facilities, and comfortable living spaces while still providing access to nearby attractions and lodge services.

Yes, Gondwana Collection Namibia offers both traditional campsites and fully equipped glamping accommodation near Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert. These accommodation options are popular with families, couples, photographers, and travellers looking for a flexible and affordable self-catering Namib Desert experience. Travellers can choose between:

• Camping2Go glamping tents at Namib Desert Camping2Go
• Traditional campsites near Namib Desert Lodge
• Swimming pools
• Restaurants and bars
• Guided Sossusvlei excursions
• Sundowner drives and activities

The Camping2Go experience combines the adventure of camping with the comfort of a fully equipped safari tent. Each tent includes beds, a private en-suite bathroom, kitchen facilities, braai area, and outdoor seating - ideal for travellers who enjoy nature without the hassle of setting up camp.

The campsites are well-maintained, clean, and equipped with private ablution facilities for added comfort and convenience.

Many camping and glamping facilities are located close to Gondwana lodges, allowing guests to enjoy additional lodge amenities including:

Namib Desert Camping2Go is located close to Namib Desert Lodge, where guests are welcome to make use of the lodge facilities during their stay.

Yes, Gondwana Collection offers camping and glamping self-catering accommodation near Etosha National Park, making them ideal for families, couples, and wildlife enthusiasts exploring Etosha National Park.

self-drive safaris, and adventurous wildlife holidays.

Etosha Safari Campsite is located close to Etosha’s Anderson Gate and offers comfortable campsites surrounded by mopane savannah. The campsites are known for being clean, spacious, and well-maintained, with private ablution facilities and easy access to nearby lodge amenities.

Etosha Safari Camping2Go offers fully equipped safari tents with private bathrooms, kitchen facilities, braai areas, and comfortable outdoor living spaces, combining the freedom of camping with added comfort and convenience.

Guests staying at the campsites and Camping2Go units are welcome to make use of nearby lodge facilities, including:

• Swimming pools
• Restaurants and bars
• Guided Etosha game drives
• Safari activities and excursions

Yes, many Gondwana Collection lodges are designed with eco-friendly practices that reduce environmental impact while maintaining comfort and high-quality hospitality standards.

Gondwana Collection holds Namibia's highest eco quality seal and is widely regarded as the country's benchmark for sustainable hospitality. 

These efforts support sustainable safari tourism and help preserve Namibia’s fragile desert ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Eco-conscious initiatives may include:

• Solar energy systems
• Water recycling and conservation
• Reduced single-use plastics
• Energy-efficient building design
• Sustainable lodge operations
• Self-sufficiency gardens

Sustainability is a central part of Gondwana Collection Namibia’s tourism philosophy and long-term vision. 85% of Gondwana Collection lodges have been equipped with solar panels, with six lodges operate 100% on solar energy

Gondwana Collection supports responsible tourism through initiatives such as:

• Renewable energy projects
• Water conservation systems
• Waste reduction programmes
• Reduced plastic usage
• Conservation partnerships
• Hospitality training and education
• Local sourcing and procurement

These initiatives help protect Namibia’s natural environment while supporting communities and sustainable economic growth through tourism. In 2022, seventeen Gondwana lodges received a five-flower rating from Eco Awards Namibia, the highest seal of quality awarded in the country.

Gondwana Collection's manages around 7,400 km² of private conservation land across Namibia, including:

• Gondwana Canyon Park in southern Namibia
• Gondwana Kalahari Park
• Gondwana Namib Park near Sossusvlei
• Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park near Aus

The group promotes low-impact tourism and helps protect Namibia’s wildlife, landscapes, and biodiversity through sustainable lodge operations and conservation awareness. By supporting protected areas and responsible travel, tourism creates long-term environmental and economic value for both conservation and local communities.

Gondwana Collection's conservation commitment has culminated in the establishment of the world's largest privately-owned Black Rhino Sanctuary, a partnership between Gondwana Collection Namibia, ERP Namibia, and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.

The Gondwana Care Trust, founded in 2017, formalised decades of community investment efforts. It supports projects across Namibia with a goal of creating independence and empowering organisations to become self-sufficient. Flagship programmes include the MealForTwo food support initiative and the Back-to-School Christmas Bag project, which aims to reach over 5,000 children. 

Gondwana Collection has expanded into communal areas in northern, north-eastern, and north-western Namibia through joint venture agreements with conservancies and traditional communities, ensuring fair distribution of financial returns and genuine co-ownership of lodge operations. 

Gondwana Collection Namibia recruits most of its lodge staff from the local communities surrounding each property and trains them in-house to work in the hospitality industry.

The group further supports local communities through employment, hospitality training programmes, skills transfer, youth development initiatives and community upliftment programmes.

Water conservation is a major priority for Gondwana Collection Namibia, especially in Namibia’s arid desert environment where water is a scarce natural resource.

Gondwana Collection lodges implement practical sustainability measures to reduce water consumption across their operations, including:

• Water-saving technology

• Greywater systems

• Water-efficient appliances in kitchens and laundries

• Responsible housekeeping practices

• Wastewater recycling systems

In 2010, Gondwana Collection installed its first wastewater treatment plant at Namib Desert Lodge. Today, around 90% of Gondwana Collection lodges operate similar wastewater recycling systems.

These systems have helped reduce overall water consumption by more than half. Since 2020, water use per guest per day has decreased from 901 litres to 588 litres.

At Namib Desert Lodge, recycled water is also used to help recharge the underground aquifer, supporting ecosystem restoration in one of Namibia’s driest regions.

Gondwana Collection lodges follow responsible waste management practices designed to reduce plastic waste and support sustainable tourism in Namibia.

Sustainability initiatives may include:

• Reduced single-use plastics
• Refillable guest amenities
• Recycling programmes
• Responsible waste separation
• Sustainable supplier partnerships

Cooking oil: Gondwana Collection works to reduce environmental pollution through responsible waste-stream management. Between November 2024 and September 2025, Gondwana lodges contributed 1,560 litres of used cooking oil to BEE Biofuel Namibia, where it was recycled into clean energy and other useful products instead of entering soil or water systems.

Waste management: In 2018, Gondwana Collection and Rent-A-Drum launched the #ItsUp2Us campaign, aimed at ensuring only biodegradable waste ends up in landfills. Additionally, quality food items that have not been used after service are donated to the Gondwana Care Trust for distribution to supported projects near each lodge.

These initiatives form part of Gondwana Collection’s broader commitment to eco-friendly lodge operations and responsible travel in Namibia.

Many lodges are listed as accessible for persons with limited mobility and offer at least one wheelchair-friendly room.

The level of accessibility varies between properties due to Namibia’s remote landscapes and natural terrain.

• Damara Mopane Lodge features two wheelchair-friendly interleading twin rooms
• The Delight Swakopmund hotel includes one dedicated wheelchair-friendly room among its 44 twin rooms
• Kalahari Anib Lodge offers a wheelchair family room in addition to standard family room options
• The Desert Grace is also listed as accessible for persons with limited mobility

Guests with accessibility requirements are encouraged to contact the reservations team for personalised recommendations on the most suitable lodges and facilities.

Yes, selected Gondwana Collection lodges offer family rooms, interleading rooms, and larger accommodation options suitable for families travelling together.

Availability may vary depending on the lodge and travel season. Families should specify their configuration preference at the time of booking to ensure availability.

Yes, several Gondwana Collection lodges offer child-friendly activities and family-friendly safari experiences suitable for younger travellers.

Depending on the destination, activities may include:

• Wildlife viewing
• Nature walks
• Swimming pools
• Cultural experiences
• Electric fat-bike rides
• Educational outdoor experiences

Namibia’s open landscapes, wildlife, and outdoor adventures make it an excellent destination for family travel and safari holidays with children.

No. Certain luxury camps or wilderness properties may have age recommendations for safety and guest comfort.

Guests are encouraged to check lodge-specific family policies when planning a Namibia family safari or holiday.