Kalahari Anib Lodge is a comfortable and convenient halfway mark between Windhoek and the south of Namibia.
A double-volume bar and restaurant with bright, modern and airy decor swallows up the masses and dominates one side of the Hacienda-style layout, still inexplicably turning its back on that glorious Kalahari view. The rooms also inward-facing are similarly bright, airy and fresh-looking with funky hanging chairs in the private patio, eclectic Namibian art and an elegant makeover inside. The new en suite bathrooms are particularly impressive with shiny shower cubicles and plush finishes.
The restaurant, terrace, bar and lounge area forms an amphitheatre around the large central swimming pool surrounded by lush grass and those same wonderful kalahari acacia trees - and some out-of-place palm trees it must be said.
The only downside of the new and improved Kalahari Anib Lodge is that it is still a stopover and not a destination in its own right. And that is great pity because the Kalahari is one of our most underrated regions with wildlife, extraordinary scenery - those endless parallel grooves in the desert you saw from 30,000ft - and great big lungfuls of whisper-quiet space.
If time allows, an extra night or two will never be nights lost. Either way though, the Kalahari Anib is a refreshed and refreshing place to stay in this beautiful and untouched part of Namibia.
The Gondwana Kalahari Park is 100sq km of classic Kalahari scenery dotted with large groups of springbok, gemsbok and ostrich; lone jackals, hares and porcupines roam the grassy valleys. The kori bustard is the largest flying bird in the world and sociable weavers build nests that are larger than some downtown apartments.
Kalahari Anib Lodge invites guests to experience the desert in a variety of ways, from exploring its vast red dunes on foot to watching the sun dip below the horizon on an open-vehicle drive. Choose from self-guided walking trails lasting up to four hours, join an early-morning game drive to see the Kalahari’s wildlife at its most active, or take in the striking landscape on a sundowner excursion. After nightfall, scorpion walks reveal a different side of the desert as these glowing creatures emerge under ultraviolet light. A highlight of any stay is the new Bushman Experience, guided by a member of the Bushmen Survival Trust. This interactive walk shares traditional desert wisdom, teaching guests how to recognise edible and medicinal plants, interpret animal tracks, and understand how ancient hunter-gatherer communities thrived in such an arid environment. Through stories and practical demonstrations, it offers a rare and insightful connection to Namibia’s oldest living culture.
Gondwana Collection is committed to sustainable tourism and conservation in Namibia, focusing on preserving the country’s unique biodiversity while promoting responsible tourism practices. They engage local communities by providing training and employment opportunities, ensuring that tourism benefits the people. The company adopts eco-friendly practices, such as renewable energy use and water conservation, to minimise environmental impact. Additionally, Gondwana actively supports wildlife protection initiatives and is dedicated to respecting and promoting the cultural heritage of Namibia's indigenous peoples. Through these efforts, Gondwana aims to create a positive impact on both the environment and local communities while enriching guest experiences.
"A dream come true"
We had the most amazing family holiday, everything worked so perfectly, the arrangements and accommodation was spectacular!
"Unforgettable trip to Namibia – Thank you Namibia Tours & Safaris!"
We are a group of four from Romania and spent 3 unforgettable weeks in Namibia. We can't recommend them enough, and for any future travels in Namibia or other parts of Africa, we will definitely use their services again.
"We had a great experience"
From the time we put the key in the ignition till we boarded the plane in Windhoek nothing went wrong.
"Unforgettable bird photography trip in Namibia"
It was a fantastic experience, everything was very well organised, went smooth and according to expectations. It was our first self drive in Africa and it was a great, unforgettable time.
