Grootberg, a communal success story

GROOTBERG Lodge in the #Khoadi//Hoas Conservancy in the Kunene Region, Namibia’s first 100 per cent community-owned lodge, officially opened its doors last month.

On hand to perform the honours was the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Willem Konjore. The 12-room lodge, situated on top of the Grootberg plateau, cost N$4,5 million to develop and equip.Funding was provided by the European Union (EU) through the Ministry of Environment and Tourism’s Namibia Tourism Development Programme (NTDP).MAKING A DIFFERENCE Situated 90 km west of Kamanjab, the #Khoadi//Hoas Conservancy was one of the first four communal area conservancies gazetted by the Ministry in 1998.The 336 600-hectare conservancy has 3 200 residents.The good environmental management practices being implemented by the conservancy have seen improvements in the local environment and an increase of wildlife such as the desert elephant, black rhino, lion and several antelope species.Because of the spectacular scenery around the Grootberg Plateau and the environmental achievements of the #Khoadi//Hoas Conservancy, it was the first of 16 areas in the country considered for the development of a community lodge.The community signed an agreement with EcoLogistix, which will undertake staff training, infrastructure maintenance, management, marketing, logistics and bookings, and will pay the conservancy a percentage of the income and profits.The conservancy, in turn, undertook to monitor the management team, to manage the 12 000-hectare exclusive tourism area around the lodge, and to continue their environmental management of the entire conservancy area.BENEFITS Asser Ndjitezeua, Chairman of the conservancy, says the financial benefits generated by the lodge will be channelled back to the community in line with the conservancy benefits distribution plan.Development within the conservancy is a priority, but the plan also deals with losses caused by wildlife attacks.Income of about N$300 000 is expected to be generated for the conservancy within the first year of operation.This will enable it to pay its own running costs.At present all 20 employees of the lodge are from the Grootberg community and it is expected that all the employees, including the management, will come from the local community by 2009.It is the first time that a middle-marked accommodation establishment will be owned by a conservancy, resulting in greater community empowerment and financial benefits.The lodge was built with natural materials from the surrounding area and blends in perfectly with the environment.The double or single rooms all have en-suite bathrooms and are built in a semicircle, giving each one a spectacular view of the valley below.Four black rhino are earmarked for release in the Grootberg area next year and it is not uncommon to see desert elephants or lions close to the establishment.There are waterholes on the plateau and hiking trails will soon be laid out so that visitors can observe local wildlife in their natural habitat.The 12-room lodge, situated on top of the Grootberg plateau, cost N$4,5 million to develop and equip.Funding was provided by the European Union (EU) through the Ministry of Environment and Tourism’s Namibia Tourism Development Programme (NTDP).MAKING A DIFFERENCE Situated 90 km west of Kamanjab, the #Khoadi//Hoas Conservancy was one of the first four communal area conservancies gazetted by the Ministry in 1998.The 336 600-hectare conservancy has 3 200 residents.The good environmental management practices being implemented by the conservancy have seen improvements in the local environment and an increase of wildlife such as the desert elephant, black rhino, lion and several antelope species.Because of the spectacular scenery around the Grootberg Plateau and the environmental achievements of the #Khoadi//Hoas Conservancy, it was the first of 16 areas in the country considered for the development of a community lodge.The community signed an agreement with EcoLogistix, which will undertake staff training, infrastructure maintenance, management, marketing, logistics and bookings, and will pay the conservancy a percentage of the income and profits.The conservancy, in turn, undertook to monitor the management team, to manage the 12 000-hectare exclusive tourism area around the lodge, and to continue their environmental management of the entire conservancy area. BENEFITS Asser Ndjitezeua, Chairman of the conservancy, says the financial benefits generated by the lodge will be channelled back to the community in line with the conservancy benefits distribution plan.Development within the conservancy is a priority, but the plan also deals with losses caused by wildlife attacks.Income of about N$300 000 is expected to be generated for the conservancy within the first year of operation.This will enable it to pay its own running costs.At present all 20 employees of the lodge are from the Grootberg community and it is expected that all the employees, including the management, will come from the local community by 2009.It is the first time that a middle-marked accommodation establishment will be owned by a conservancy, resulting in greater community empowerment and financial benefits.The lodge was built with natural materials from the surrounding area and blends in perfectly with the environment.The double or single rooms all have en-suite bathrooms and are built in a semicircle, giving each one a spectacular view of the valley below.Four black rhino are earmarked for release in the Grootberg area next year and it is not uncommon to see desert elephants or lions close to the establishment.There are waterholes on the plateau and hiking trails will soon be laid out so that visitors can observe local wildlife in their natural habitat.