Grootberg Lodge breaks new ground

A conservancy-owned lodge in the Kunene Region, which is set to open at the end of next month, is intended to serve as a groundbreaking model for communities across Namibia.

What makes the Grootberg Lodge unique is that it is a middle-marked accommodation establishment which is owned by the #Khoadi //Hoas conservancy. The lodge follows the signing of an agreement for a lucrative and equitable partnership between the conservancy and the private sector, EcoLodgistix and the Desert Homestead near Sossusvlei.The 12-room lodge, which cost N$4,5 million to develop and equip, is funded by the European Union through the Namibia Tourism Development Programme within the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.Asser Ndjitezeua, Chairman of the conservancy, says this development will help improve the living standards of the #Khoadi //Hoas people, who are mainly subsistence farmers.The types of jobs created by the lodge, such as for chefs, tour guides and bartenders, have previously not been an option for the local community, he said.About 3 200 people live in the conservancy, which is 90 km west of Kamanjab.In terms of the agreement, the conservancy owns all assets, accelerating benefits to the community and employees.It is expected that by 2009 all the lodge employees, including management, will be drawn from the immediate area.Ndjitezeua says the financial benefits will be ploughed back into the community in line with the conservancy benefits plan.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, leading to greater financial sustainability for conservation.The conservancy undertakes to monitor the management team and to ensure that the 12 000-hectare area is zoned and managed exclusively for tourism activities.Good land management practices implemented by the conservancy have seen an increase in the return of wildlife such as the desert elephant, lion, giraffe, cheetah and mountain zebra.The Ministry is facilitating the use of donor funding to build middle-marked lodges for conservancies in an effort to diversify the range of tourism options and increase community ownership.It is also assisting in identifying management support companies that can operate these lodges in partnership with communities.Interested conservancies need to have a tourism plan and land-use framework in place and the human resource capacity to participate in the venture.EcoLodgistix Namibia has sent 13 community members to the Desert Homestead and Horse Trails Lodge in the South for extensive in-service training in all aspects of running a lodge.After the month-long training, they will return to Grootberg Lodge in time for the big opening, which is planned for the end of June.The lodge follows the signing of an agreement for a lucrative and equitable partnership between the conservancy and the private sector, EcoLodgistix and the Desert Homestead near Sossusvlei.The 12-room lodge, which cost N$4,5 million to develop and equip, is funded by the European Union through the Namibia Tourism Development Programme within the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.Asser Ndjitezeua, Chairman of the conservancy, says this development will help improve the living standards of the #Khoadi //Hoas people, who are mainly subsistence farmers.The types of jobs created by the lodge, such as for chefs, tour guides and bartenders, have previously not been an option for the local community, he said.About 3 200 people live in the conservancy, which is 90 km west of Kamanjab.In terms of the agreement, the conservancy owns all assets, accelerating benefits to the community and employees.It is expected that by 2009 all the lodge employees, including management, will be drawn from the immediate area.Ndjitezeua says the financial benefits will be ploughed back into the community in line with the conservancy benefits plan.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, leading to greater financial sustainability for conservation.The conservancy undertakes to monitor the management team and to ensure that the 12 000-hectare area is zoned and managed exclusively for tourism activities.Good land management practices implemented by the conservancy have seen an increase in the return of wildlife such as the desert elephant, lion, giraffe, cheetah and mountain zebra.The Ministry is facilitating the use of donor funding to build middle-marked lodges for conservancies in an effort to diversify the range of tourism options and increase community ownership.It is also assisting in identifying management support companies that can operate these lodges in partnership with communities.Interested conservancies need to have a tourism plan and land-use framework in place and the human resource capacity to participate in the venture.EcoLodgistix Namibia has sent 13 community members to the Desert Homestead and Horse Trails Lodge in the South for extensive in-service training in all aspects of running a lodge.After the month-long training, they will return to Grootberg Lodge in time for the big opening, which is planned for the end of June.

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