English
Visiting researchers to the Gondwana Canyon Park along with the park management were recently treated to a very rare and wonderful sighting of the shy black-footed cat in the Gondwana Canyon Park. The last recorded sighting of this cat in Namibia dates back several decades. This sighting is a compliment to the conservation efforts that were the initial reason for Gondwana Collection Namibia’s establishment.
In the ever-growing battle against global warming as a result of human-induced carbon emissions, planting trees to compensate for the excess carbon in the atmosphere is vitally important. Gondwana has introduced the annual Plant-a-tree Day and managed to plant about 200 trees in 2018/19. We have cultivated over 80 quiver trees at the Holoog Nursery, situated in Gondwana Canyon Park. As soon as they were big enough, they were then planted in the wild.
Gondwana promotes a healthy lifestyle amongst its staff and supports the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN). Every year, a professional CAN team tours the country as part of their National Outreach programme providing health education and valuable advice on healthy lifestyles. The CAN team also offers cancer screening at the lodges as well as at nearby villages and settlements.
Gondwana Collection has partnered with BEE Biofuel Manufacturing Namibia to recycle all used cooking oil from the lodges. In 2019, we have managed to recycle up to 2,000 litres of used cooking oil.
Kalahari Anib Lodge has taken another step towards sustainable operations and installed a Mixer and Water Fountain Dispenser. The appliance makes provision for still and sparkling water as well as a variety of Hound’s mixers – including tonic water, lemonade and ginger ale – in the form of a concentrate, with the final mixture completed in the dispenser. Having these mixers available on tap and in reusable containers reduces waste and 80% of transportation, which further reduces the carbon footprint.
To reduce the use of plastic bottles, we installed a water dispenser at Zambezi Mubala Lodge. The dispenser provides unbottled filtered water to guests. We plan to install more at other lodges. Sustainable reusable bottles and reusable Silistraws are available at the lodge’s souvenir shops.
