Giving back to nature what belongs to nature: A commitment to conservation

This year, Gondwana Collection took another bold step in its long-standing commitment to conservation by reintroducing 128 oryx into Gondwana Kalahari Park. This strategic move, combined with the data from our recent 2025 annual game counts, paints a comprehensive picture of ecosystem health across our parks.

The oryx 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.

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.  

Gondwana Kalahari 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. 

Gondwana 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 lower recorded sightings are likely not solely a function of population decline but also indicate significant dispersal. With natural water sources replenished, animals have spread out across the landscape and onto surrounding properties west of the park, no longer concentrated around artificial waterholes. The lack of external fences around Gondwana Canyon Park makes it part of a vast open landscape facilitating this natural movement.

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.  

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. 

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

Gondwana Collection 2025 Game Count Results 

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our 2025 game counts. It all adds up to something far greater than numbers.