Is Gondwana Kalahari Park Fenced? Exploring Its Wildlife Experience

Godefroy
Jun 28
3 min read

Travelers seeking an authentic safari often ask about the nature of wildlife reserves—specifically, whether areas like Gondwana Kalahari Park (home to Kalahari Anib Lodge) are fenced, and if the animals are introduced, as is common in private reserves. Here’s a detailed, evidence-based look at the park’s structure and wildlife management.

Background: From Farmland to Conservation

Gondwana Kalahari Park, located in Namibia, was established when the Gondwana Collection Namibia acquired farm Anib in December 2004. The primary goal was to end sheep farming and restore the land to its natural state. As part of this transformation, internal fences were removed, allowing for the rewilding of the area and the free movement of wildlife within the park’s boundaries7.

Antelopes walking across orange sand dunes with sparse vegetation in a desert landscape. Blue sky and distant dunes in the background.

Fencing: Open or Enclosed?

Internal Fences Removed: The park’s internal livestock fences were dismantled to facilitate ecological restoration and wildlife mobility7.
Perimeter Fencing: While internal fences are gone, there is credible evidence that the park itself is enclosed by a perimeter fence. This is a common practice in many Namibian private reserves to manage wildlife populations, prevent conflict with neighboring livestock farms, and protect both animals and guests. However, these perimeter fences are not always absolute barriers—some may be designed to allow certain species to pass, while others are more restrictive.

Wildlife: Free-Roaming or Introduced?

Reintroduction of Native Species: After the land’s conversion from farming, Gondwana Kalahari Park undertook a process of reintroducing native wildlife species that historically occurred in the region. This is a standard conservation approach for many private reserves in southern Africa7.
Natural Behaviors: With the removal of internal barriers, animals within the park can roam freely across the reserve’s expanse, exhibiting natural behaviors similar to those in larger, open ecosystems. However, their range is ultimately defined by the park’s outer boundaries.

How Does This Compare to Private Safari Reserves?

Feature	Gondwana Kalahari Park	Typical Private Safari Reserve
Internal Fencing	Removed	Often removed
Perimeter Fencing	Present (for management & protection)	Present
Wildlife Origin	Reintroduced native species	Reintroduced or managed populations
Animal Movement	Free within park boundaries	Free within reserve boundaries
Feel of the Experience	Semi-wild, large-scale conservation area	Semi-wild, managed conservation area

Credible Sources and Conservation Context

Namibian.org confirms the removal of internal fences and the park’s rewilding efforts, stating:
“Gondwana Collection Namibia acquired farm Anib in December 2004 and transformed it into Gondwana Kalahari Park: sheep farming was ended, internal fences ...”7
Gondwana Collection Sustainability Reports further document that the park’s management aligns with conservation best practices, including the removal of internal barriers and the reintroduction of wildlife6.
Regional Conservation Studies highlight that perimeter fencing is widespread in the Kalahari for managing wildlife-livestock interactions and protecting sensitive species, though it can impact migratory patterns1 3.

Conclusion: What to Expect as a Visitor

Gondwana Kalahari Park offers a semi-wild safari experience:

Animals roam freely within the reserve’s boundaries, not confined by internal fences.
The park is not an entirely open, unfenced wilderness; its perimeter is managed to balance conservation, safety, and neighboring land use.
Wildlife is native or historically present, reintroduced to restore ecological balance.

This approach delivers an immersive, conservation-focused safari that blends the authenticity of wild Africa with responsible management—providing guests with both a sense of wilderness and the assurance of sustainable practices.

References:7 Namibian.org6 Gondwana Collection Sustainability Info1 3 Academic research on fencing and wildlife movement in the Kalahari

For further reading, explore Gondwana Collection Namibia’s official sustainability reports and regional conservation literature for a deeper understanding of the park’s ecological philosophy and management.