Gondwana Collection Namibia Donates Vehicles to Palmwag Conservancies

In a meaningful gesture of partnership in nature conservation and empowering communities, Gondwana Collection recently donated the use of three vehicles to the three Palmwag conservancies: Sesfontein, Anabeb, and Torra during a ceremony held at Palmwag Lodge & Campsite.

This donation marks another milestone in Gondwana Collection’s long-standing support of community-based natural resource management in the Palmwag Concession Area, a 5,500 km² protected region co-managed by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, the three conservancies, and Gondwana Collection. The area is home to some of Namibia’s most iconic and endangered wildlife, including desert-adapted black rhinos, elephants, lions, giraffes, and Hartmann’s Mountain zebras.

The vehicles will significantly enhance the conservancies’ ability to conduct wildlife monitoring, patrols, and other conservation-related operations while importantly also supporting broader community development efforts in the region. When Gondwana Collection bought and took over Palmwag Lodge & Camp in 2019, it committed to investing in a region that needed it most. Since then, the lodge has been upgraded to improve guest experiences and increase occupancy, directly contributing to increased benefit-sharing with the conservancies.

Photo credits: Gondwana Collection Namibia 

A joint venture agreement with the three Palmwag conservancies was signed, cementing a long-term partnership and solidifying Gondwana Collection’s commitment to the Palmwag communities. In addition to infrastructural investment, Gondwana Collection has prioritised capacity building and employee welfare. The company has improved employee benefits including upgrading employee housing at the property, introduced targeted training programmes in guiding and hospitality for both lodge teams and community members, and demonstrated resilience through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

        Photo credits: Gondwana Collection Namibia 

Gondwana Collection’s social investment initiatives also include the construction of a community clinic, which was handed over to the Big Three conservancies in 2024. Furthermore, we are currently sponsoring a local nursing student in her studies, further underlining our commitment to long-term empowerment. The donation of the use of these vehicles is more than a handover of keys, it’s a symbol of our partnership with the people and nature of this extraordinary landscape.

Photo credits: Gondwana Collection Namibia 

Together, we are building a model where conservation, tourism, and community well-being are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. Gondwana Collection’s ongoing efforts ensure that the Palmwag area remains a flagship for sustainable conservation and inclusive development in Namibia.