Hop on board and join the excitement of the Gondwana Academy Tour! Try to spot our branded Academy tour bus somewhere in Namibia in February, take a selfie with it and join our photo competition on social media. See our daily updates in this blog.
Why does Gondwana Collection Namibia organise the Gondwana Academy Value Tour? The Gondwana Academy is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025. Through our Academy Values Tour, we are marking the start of what has become a successful in-house learning and development programme.
The Academy Tour is specifically designed for Gondwana employees, with the aim of providing deeper insights into the company’s core values, improving product knowledge and giving participants the chance to experience Namibia from a guest’s perspective.
The Tour kicked off on Tuesday, 4 February 2025 in Windhoek, heading southwards. Join our journey, read our daily updates, try to discover our branded Academy Bus and win big!
Participants of the Gondwana Academy Value Tour embarked on an enriching journey to the Kalahari Anib Lodge, a destination known for its red-hued dunes. The tour commenced with a visit to Rehoboth, a town established in 1871 by the Baster community, which has historical roots linked to the relationships between indigenous women and European settlers from the Cape Province of South Africa. This community has played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural and historical narrative of the town.
During their time in Rehoboth, the group engaged in an informative discussion led by Manni Goldbeck and Kurt Schlenther, with the aid of historical panels created through an ongoing initiative by Gondwana Collection Namibia. Participants actively contributed to the dialogue, asking questions that deepened their understanding of the town's heritage. The discussion was complemented by a visit to a historic church, originally founded as a mission station by the Rhenish (German Lutheran) Missionary Society, which further illuminated the cultural and religious history of Rehoboth.
As the tour continued, participants made their way towards the iconic red sand of the Kalahari Desert. Here, they explored not only Kalahari Anib Lodge but also one of Gondwana’s newest properties, the Reverie Kalahari Pod. Nestled amidst the iconic dunes, this luxurious retreat is designed to harmonise with its natural surroundings and is inspired by Khoi San traditions. It offers guests a unique blend of comfort and an immersive experience in nature.
In line with Kalahari Anib's brand essence of “Feel Closer,” participants experienced the adventure of a Sundowner drive at Kalahari Anib Lodge. This experience allowed them to appreciate the breathtaking desert landscape while engaging in interactive activities that fostered a deeper connection with the environment. The Kalahari is home to diverse wildlife, including gemsbok, springbok, and various bird species, which adds to its allure as one of Namibia's four major deserts.
The first location of the value tour offered participants an engaging experience within the Kalahari Desert while deepening their appreciation for Rehoboth’s historical and cultural heritage.
Day 3 began with the rhythmic beat of drums and the joyful sounds of laughter, setting an energising tone for the group. As the morning sun rose over the Kalahari Anib Lodge, participants gathered on the lawn to explore the day's value: "Have a Story to Tell".
This ethos is integral to Gondwana’s identity. Storytelling is not just a means of preserving history but a way to forge deeper connections between people, landscapes, and cultures.
To illustrate the relationship between storytelling and nature, Manni guided the participants through an exercise on the formation of the Kalahari Desert. He explained the atmospheric forces at play: as the sun’s heat causes warm air to rise near the equator, it eventually cools and descends, creating a high-pressure system. The resulting dry air moves in an anticlockwise direction, forming spirals that shape the desert’s dunes. Participants brought this concept to life by drawing spirals on plates of sand, mirroring the intricate patterns visible from an aerial perspective.
The origins of Kalahari Anib Lodge were also shared, offering insight into how it transformed into what it is today. Through the dedicated efforts of Jaco Visser and his wife Dgini, the lodge evolved into a sanctuary that offers both comfort and an authentic connection to the surrounding landscape.
Sustainability emerged as another key theme of the day. Environmental and Social Impact Manager Quintin Hartung introduced one of the lodge’s eco-friendly initiatives: the annual game count. By tracking animal numbers and species diversity, Gondwana’s environmental team ensures a balanced ecosystem where flora and fauna exist harmoniously.
After lunch, the group embarked on a 30-kilometer journey to the Kalahari Farmhouse. Located on the outskirts of Stampriet, this fertile area is enriched by artesian water sources from the Kalahari Desert's deep aquifers, which also feed the region's water supply.
The Kalahari Farmhouse is also home to Gondwana’s Self-Sufficiency Centre (SSC), a facility that supplies organic meat and produce to the lodges while supporting local employment. Here, participants met the centre’s manager, Breshnef Diergaardt, and his assistant, Frans Feris. Breshnef led the group through the facility, providing a look at operations from the garden to the butchery. Frans then elaborated on the butchery’s daily processes, highlighting the system used to maintain a steady supply of high-quality products for Gondwana’s lodges.
As the day drew to a close, participants reflected on their experiences, recognising the interconnectedness of their individual journeys. In the end, storytelling had not only transferred knowledge but also strengthened a shared sense of purpose.