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Beyond Accommodation: Gondwana Collection’s Eco-Adventure

Written by Gondwana Collection | Jun 11, 2024 5:42:30 AM

Gondwana Collection Namibia maintains the highest eco-standards across its lodges and hotels, a commitment demonstrated since its inaugural participation in the Eco Awards back in 2011. Once again, this year, Gondwana has excelled, marking continuous improvement in sustainable operations. Most recently, the Gondwana properties in the Kunene Region received notable recognition.

 

Omarunga Epupa-Falls Camp

 

Omarunga Epupa-Falls Camp and Palmwag Lodge & Camp, newly incorporated into the Gondwana portfolio in 2019, underwent their first Eco Awards assessment this year. Impressively, Omarunga clinched the top honour of 5 Desert Flowers, while Palmwag Lodge & Camp secured a commendable 4 Desert Flowers in its inaugural evaluation.

 

In a re-evaluation after three years, Damara Mopane Lodge maintained its exceptional rating, reaffirming its status with 5 Desert Flowers. Last month, The Weinberg Windhoek was awarded 5 Green Flowers. 

 

Palmwag Lodge & Camp

 

Gondwana Collection Namibia seamlessly integrates hospitality with nature conservation and social responsibility in a sustainable framework. All Gondwana accommodations proudly boast 5 desert flowers, signifying outstanding performance in environmental stewardship, human resources, social responsibility, and legal compliance.

 

Eight of Gondwana's accommodations proudly bear the even more prestigious 5 Green Flower award, denoting a remarkable achievement of scoring 90% or higher in environmental criteria sections. These distinguished properties include The Weinberg Windhoek, Namib Desert Lodge, Namib Dune Star Camp, Desert Whisper, The Desert Grace, The Delight Swakopmund, Namushasha River Lodge, and Namushasha River Villa.

 

Damara Mopane Lodge

 

Eco Awards Namibia serves as a beacon for sustainable tourism certification, a collaborative endeavour between private enterprises and governmental bodies. Under this program, independent evaluators meticulously inspect lodges, their reports then deliberated upon by a panel for evaluation. Similar to star ratings for accommodations, the eco seal of quality bestows up to five desert flowers.

 

Participation in this esteemed programme is voluntary, emblematic of a steadfast dedication to continual improvement and transparency within the tourism sector.

 

The lodge managers of four Gondwana properties received their Eco Awards certificates recently (ltr): Erwin 'Paka' Basson, Palmwag Lodge & Camp; Larco van Wyk, The Weinberg Windhoek; Andrew Lesch, Omarunga Epupa-Falls Camp; Tinus Adriaanse, Damara Mopane Lodge.