The result of the 2011 game count in Gondwana Kalahari Park was quite mindboggling. Since the previous count two years ago the numbers of all species have steeply increased. This is mainly due to the exceptionally good rainfalls experienced during the first half of this year, and also to excellent park management.

According to the count the number of springbok has more than doubled within two years. While a total of 1905 springbok was counted in 2009, there was an incredible 4760 of them this year. Between 2009 and 2011, Kudus increased from 16 to 87, ostriches from 68 to 185 and Oryx antelopes from 214 to a staggering 1024. However, the reason for this enormous increase is that Oryx were bought at auctions during the past two years and released in the park: 120 antelope in 2010 and 320 this year. The additional animals were purchased to boost genetic diversity in the park.

The nature reserve 30 km northeast of Mariental covers 100 km². Other large mammal species include eland, plains zebra, blue wildebeest and hartebeest. They were gradually reintroduced to the area after Gondwana Kalahari Parks was established in 2005. These species used to be indigenous to this part of the country but were hunted to extinction in the 19th century or driven away when farming activities increased during the 20th century.  

Now they are thriving once again: the number of hartebeest has risen from 125 (2009) to 217 (2011), plains zebra from 40 to 62, blue wildebeest from 44 to 102 and eland from 16 to 36.

The game count in Gondwana Kalahari Park always follows the same method in order to compare results and identify trends. It is known as the 'fixed routes method’: counting takes place on five standard routes, from a vehicle, without binoculars. The number of animals is written down as well as their exact location and their distance from the track. The routes are chosen in such a way that the park’s different habitats, e.g. sandy plains or river courses, are included.

Our guests at Kalahari Anib Lodge are able to admire the abundance of game during the daily Sundowner Drives. If they are really lucky they will even spot the five giraffe which were released in the park last year.