Gondwana Collection gears up for annual game counts

As the annual game count wraps up this weekend in Gondwana Canyon Park, Gondwana Collection Namibia is calling on wildlife enthusiasts, citizen scientists, and conservation-minded travellers to join the next leg of its annual wildlife census.

This is set to take place in the Gondwana Kalahari Park from 18 to 20 July.

Located just 30km northeast of Mariental along the C20, the Kalahari Park event offers a rare opportunity to be directly involved in a large-scale conservation initiative aimed at maintaining ecological balance and informing long-term wildlife management strategies.

The game count, which has been running for over 20 years, is central to Gondwana Collection’s conservation model.

It serves three key purposes: measuring wildlife populations, supporting sustainable park management, and enriching the guest experience.

Informed by a fixed-route methodology and supported by correction factors that ensure data accuracy, the count helps identify population trends and environmental shifts critical in regions where rainfall variability significantly impacts species distribution.

In last year’s Kalahari count, stark drops in key species like springbok (down 52.7%) and blue wildebeest (down 82.5%) raised ecological concerns, while slight population increases in gemsbok and giraffe hinted at positive shifts elsewhere.

Such findings directly inform decisions on whether to cap or supplement populations.

Participants in previous years have included Gondwana Collection employees, lodge guests, representatives from the ministry of environment and tourism, and surrounding farmers.

The experience offers not just a scientific purpose but also a deeper understanding of Namibia’s fragile ecosystems and the pressures they face.

“Active, hands-on wildlife management is essential in enclosed ecosystems such as our parks, particularly in areas with a history of ecological sensitivity and degradation, like the former sheep farms that now form part of these landscapes,” says Gondwana’s sustainability officer, Monique Tredoux.

“Although restoration is ongoing, the annual game counts play a vital role in providing insights into wildlife population dynamics, which in turn inform broader ecosystem management strategies that aim to synergise tourism and conservation activities.”

With the Canyon Park count slated for tomorrow, the Kalahari edition offers an ideal opportunity for the public to get involved in a hands-on conservation effort this July.

Booking details and participation information can be found at Gondwana Collection’s official website.

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