The Origin of the Gondwana Collection Namibia Card

The Gondwana card idea was born 14 years ago, arising from local concerns of affordability of our accommodation establishments. The average income for Namibia, and SADC countries, is significantly lower compared to a European traveler, where most of our guests originate from.  

Due to the influence of currency exchange rates and external variables, Gondwana’s cost structure is constantly adapting in order for us to offer great customer experiences and to meet our social and environmental commitments. This means that our rack rates are constantly changing to meet industry standards.  

The daily lodge operations bear a lot of expenditure to enable them to be self-sufficient, especially those located in rural areas. Rack rates are based on the development of the value chain involved in the reservation process, as every party involved takes quite an immense percentage. We figured, we could offer discounts of 50% to Namibian members and 40% to SADC members respectively, making accommodation at our lodges affordable to all travelers. An additional 25% discount is offered on dinner and activities, provided that these clients book directly with Gondwana Collection Namibia.  

The Gondwana card initiative aims to enable travelers from Namibia and the SADC region at large to travel through Namibia with the aim of increasing awareness about the value of nature, while enjoying our tourism industry in a conservative manner. Namibians and SADC guests can travel around the country and enjoy our lodge’s generosity. We are delighted to trailblazer this initiation for local tourism. We are grateful and proud of all the Gondwana Card holders and members for their support. 

The Gondwana card initiative is one of our success stories, and we celebrate it because it engages our local tourism. This product is aimed for the Namibians and the SADC Region people at large, it’s an ubuntu product, for the people.  

‘Ubuntu (Zulu pronunciation: [ùɓúntʼù]) is a Nguni Bantu term meaning "humanity". It is sometimes translated as "I am because we are" (also "I am because you are"), or "humanity towards others" (in Zulu, umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu).’  

As the world keeps evolving, we aim to adapt and keep up with the new trends, just like most products that evolve in order to survive. The Gondwana Card is currently developing to become known as the Gondwana Membership. This development will not have any negative effect on our previous and current card holders in any way. On the contrary, it will enable our card holders and future members to experience simplicity and ease during the application process or whilst on their travels to our lodges.  

The reason for the new product change includes the ambition to reach our going green goals, and to reduce our company's plastic waste disposal. We aim to make the entire experience stress- and guilt free for our guests to travel to our lodges with or without the physical card. For now, the physical card is still an option. 

The Gondwana cards offer the below discounts to the cardholder memberships for Namibian Citizens and Residents (aged 6 years and older): 

• 50% discount on accommodation (Bed and Breakfast) 
• 25% discount on dinner 
• 25% discount on activities 
• 50% discount on camping (Discount does not apply on Klein-Aus Vista Camping and Geisterschlucht Cabin) 
• 50% discount on Camping2Go 

The Gondwana cards offer the below discounts to the cardholder memberships for SADC Citizens and Residents (aged 6 years and older): 

• 40% discount on accommodation (Bed and Breakfast) 
• 25% discount on dinner 
• 25% discount activities 
• 40% discount on camping (Discount does not apply on Klein-Aus Vista Camping and Geisterschlucht Cabin.) 
• 40% discount on Camping2Go

This membership status has validity of 5 years per member and this is for Namibia citizens and SADC citizens at large. After five years, as per the expiry date advised, a guest is required to re-apply for membership in order to keep the status active and to qualify for discounts. 

We require the following documents during the application process:  

- An ID or passport original or copy (certification not required) for adult application.  

- Birth certificate or passport original or copy (certification not required) for children.  

- A marriage certificate for a non - citizen married by/with Namibian or SADC citizen.  

- Proof of residency is an additional document required in this case.  

Read Part 2 of the Gondwana Collection Namibia Membership Card next week. 

Do you have a membership card yet?