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conservation , game count

Giving back to nature what belongs to nature

By Terttu Newaka
September 03, 2025

This year, Gondwana Collection took another bold step in its long-standing commitment to conservation by reintroducing 128 oryx into Gondwana Kalahari Park. The release was not a single event, but a carefully planned process, rolled out in three phases.  

 

With these additions, the oryx population in the park now stands at 388, a thriving symbol of resilience in the Kalahari landscape. They were released in stages over recent months: 35 animals were released in June, followed by 38 in early July, and another 55 later that month.

 

The reintroduction came at a promising time. Following good rains, the veld flourished, creating an abundance of grazing to sustain wildlife. This decision was guided by three key objectives:  

  1. Optimise veld utilisation – By adding more grazers, the vegetation is kept healthy, reducing the risk of declining growth and veld fires, and supporting a balanced ecosystem.
  2. Secure a sustainable game meat supply – Building up the gemsbok population now ensures Gondwana Collection's Farmhouse butchery can meet demand during the upcoming high season.
  3. Stimulate reproduction – A larger, more diverse population encourages natural breeding activity, strengthening long-term population health. 

 

Through such conservation commitments, tailored to the unique landscapes in which we operate, we continue to give back to nature what belongs to nature. 

 

Gondwana Collection’s original conservation dream led to the creation of private nature parks across Namibia’s most iconic regions. Today, Gondwana Canyon Park in the Fish River Canyon, Gondwana Namib Park near Sesriem/Sossusvlei, and Gondwana Kalahari Park northeast of Mariental are all managed with the same philosophy: working with nature, not against it.  

 

2025 Game counts 

Each year, Gondwana Collection’s game counts take us deep into the heart of the landscapes. It’s part science, part tradition, and part adventure.  

 

In 2025, our teams once again took to the parks at sunrise, maps in hand, scanning the dunes and plains for silhouettes of wildlife. Even small shifts in the number of wildlife at a park offer insights into the land’s carrying capacity, rainfall in the region, and seasonal migration patterns.  

 

Game Drive & Wildlife in the Gondwana Kalahari Park

 

Kalahari Anib Park Game Count 

Introduced in 2005, the Kalahari game count has been key to monitoring the transformation of this former karakul farm into a thriving ecosystem. Following healthy rains, the 2025 results revealed encouraging growth across several species. 

 

The total number of animals counted increased by 12%, rising from 1,276 in 2024 to 1,427 in 2025. Gemsbok showed the most significant increase (+72%) due to the introduction of Gemsbok. Springbok (+17%), Plains zebra (+43%) and giraffe (+32%) also rose, while ostrich (-66%) and kudu (-25%) declined. 

 

Oryx at kalahari park

 

Canyon Park Game Count 

Now in its 23rd year, the Canyon Park game count remains Gondwana Collection’s longest-running survey. Covering 116,000 hectares of rocky canyons, grasslands, and dry riverbeds, the park provides a vital refuge for Namibia’s wildlife. 

 

Compared to 2024, the overall estimated wildlife population declined by 32%, with significant reductions observed across nearly all key species. Notable declines included kudu (-63%) and mountain zebra (-65%). Contributing factors likely include drought stress of the last two rainfall seasons (2022&2023), and with widespread rainfall this season, animal populations were widespread both inside the park and outside (further west). The average annual rainfall for 2025 was only 57mm, still below the ecological average and insufficient to support higher carrying capacities in the park. 

 

The game count helps us adapt management strategies to sustain the delicate balance of life in this vast landscape. Average rainfall increased compared to the previous year, underlining how weather patterns remain one of the strongest drivers of wildlife distribution.  

 

zebras at game count

 

Our commitment to conservation has further led to the establishment of what will be the world’s largest privately-owned black rhino sanctuary in Canyon Park. A partnership with ERP Namibia and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the sanctuary focuses on habitat protection, anti-poaching innovation, and community involvement to secure the future of one of Africa’s most endangered species. 

 

Working with nature 

Across all three parks, the 2025 game counts stand as a reminder of Gondwana Collection’s conservation philosophy: to work with nature, not against it. They not only show us where we stand today but also guide us towards the future we want to shape. 

Gondwana parks map

Journey with us as we continue our commitment to conservation through sustainable tourism and hospitality ventures. 

 

Gondwana Collection 2025 Game Count Results 

Species 

Canyon 2024 

Canyon 2025 

Change 

Kalahari 2024 

Kalahari 2025 

Change 

Gemsbok 

755 

683 

-10% 

151 

260 

+72% 

Springbok 

1290 

1037 

-20% 

812 

949 

+17% 

Ostrich 

92 

49 

-47% 

69 

24 

-66% 

Kudu 

329 

121 

-63% 

35 

26 

-25% 

Steenbok 

162 

187 

+15% 

65 

0 

-100% 

Plains Zebra 

29 

18 

-38% 

21 

30 

+43% 

Blue Wildebeest 

– 

– 

– 

59 

60 

+2% 

Giraffe 

26 

30 

+15% 

25 

33 

+32% 

Mountain Zebra 

942 

334 

-65% 

– 

– 

– 

Klipspringer 

108 

76 

-30% 

– 

– 

– 

Eland 

– 

– 

– 

38 

54 

+18% 

Total 

3733 

2535 

-32% 

1276 

1427 

+12% 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To our Gondwana Collection family: thank you for joining us at our game counts. It all adds up to something far greater than numbers. 

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Terttu Newaka

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