251229006842 - Operations and Management of the White Sands Lodge & Camping at Popa Falls, Kavango East Region

OVERVIEW: WHITE SANDS LODGE & CAMPING at POPA FALLS on the NORTHERN BANKS of the KAVANGO RIVER in the WESTERN SECTION of BWABWATA NATIONAL PARK MULTIPLE USE AREA near DIVUNDU, KAVANGO EAST REGION Background: Rovejema Lodge and Camping Group (Pty) LTD t/a as White Sands Lodge & Camping at Popa Falls, Kavango East Region, was established in 2018. This is a joint venture with the Kyaramacan Association (KA). The KA was issued a 20-year tourism concession by MEFT in 2018. The lodge and camp officially opened its doors to tourists in the second half of 2019. Lodge and camp are situated on the northern banks of the Kavango River within the Multiple Use Area of Bwabwata National Park west. The Proponent operates and provides a 3-star hospitality destination to predominately the European tourist market. For those who wish to camp, there are 9 campsites that offer scenic views along the Kavango River. Following the success of White Sands Lodge and Camping, the owner has embarked on expanding and increasing bed occupancy which will be indicated as such in the EMP. The Environmental scoping and EMP report submitted and ECC issued by the EC office: In 2019 Tortoise Environmental Consultants (TEC) was commissioned to conduct an EIA and to provide an EMP which was to guide management in the construction and management of the lodge and campsites. The EMP was submitted in November 2018 and on 4 March 2019 the EC office of MEFT issued an ECC to White Sands Lodge and Camping. Location and infrastructure  White Sands Lodge and Camping is located 2.2km off the B8 road 5 km east of Divundu.  The lodge and campsites lie on an elevated vegetated land (1011m above sea-level) populated with palm trees, jackalberry, mangosteen, combretum, terminalia and sausage trees, and surrounded by sedges and reeds along the riverbanks.  White Sands Lodge and Camping can be reached by a sedan vehicle, and it is well signed to guide guests to their destination.  The lodge currently offers: 5 chalets, 8 luxury rooms and 9 exclusive private campsites with views of the Popa Falls rapids.  Each campsite has its own ablution (toilet and shower) with braai facilities, a kitchen under a thatched roof with an elevated deck and electricity.  In summary, White Sands Lodge and Camping include: • Security room at entrance gate • Spacious parking area • Reception, restaurant, deck facing Popa Falls and a pool • Laundry, workshop and car ports • Staff and security quarters • Storeroom facilities • 5 chalets, 8 luxury rooms and 9 exclusive campsites  The sundowner deck overlooks the Popa Falls rapids with palm trees giving it a unique “island- like character” Activities: numerous activities are facilitated at White Sands Lodge and Camping which include: 4WD self-drive and/or guided game drives into Mahango and Buffalo Core Areas of BNP, birdwatching, cultural exposure at the Khwe San - village and fishing (catch and release) and sundowner boat cruises. Coordinates for White Sands Lodge and Camping (gate entrance) are as follows : • 18.18333 Latitude South and 21.59722 Longitude East During the visit by the appointed EAP Klingelhoeffer in December 2025, it is evident that the Proponent offers quality accommodation and exclusive campsites with views of the Popa Falls rapids. This lodge and campsite offer the visitor an ambience of quietness along the Kavango River with forest trees and palms along its banks which are habituated by bushbuck and forest birds. The protocols in place for both solid waste management and grey/black water disposal require revision due to current expansion of accommodation facilities. It was observed that most of the solid waste generated at the lodge and campsites is taken out and partly recycled. All grey and black water is collected and pumped into septic tank digesters from where the “clean” water is recycled and used to water the lawns. More details of the effluent discharge will be provided in the EMP. Staff: White Sands Lodge & Camping (WSL&C) employs 46 full-time staff of which 43 staff are from the adjacent villages from the BNP Multiple Use Area, and includes the following departments/positions:  Proponent  Manager/s  Reception  Restaurant  Housekeeping  Gardeners  Gate control  Security Vision of Whites Sands Lodge & Camping: • to develop tourist activities: wildlife photography, sundowner river cruises, game drives • to ensure that every guest receives a wildlife experience in an environment that is being managed and operated on eco-friendly principles • the establishment is committed to comply and adhere to all the Policies, Acts and Regulations of MEFT and MAFWLR, that govern lodge operations in sensitive environments, through the implementation of “best practices management” • to retain the respect and trust of the adjacent communities • to strive to reduce and to minimize the carbon footprint where and whenever possible Kyaramacan Association is a community-managed conservation area within the BNP Multiple Use Area which was registered as an Association in 2005. The area extends from Divundu to Omega 3 north and south of the B8. In 2018 the KA was provided with a 20-year concession by MEFT to operate tourism related activities. The objective of the KA Association is to empower the local communities within BNP Multiple Use Area to manage and benefit from their natural resources. White Sands Lodge & Camping has signed a JV with the KA to operate a tourism establishment at their lodge and campsites. The KA works to maximize the livelihood options of the historically marginalized people who live in the area, of which 80% are Khwe San, and the remaining 20% comprise of !Xun San and Hambukushu. The Kyaramacan Association is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including elephants, hippo, and various bird species, making it a popular destination for eco-tourism and wildlife viewing. The KA for the past 2 decades has played a crucial role in promoting sustainable development and conservation in Namibia. Management: Current Managing Director (owner and proponent) is based at White Sands Lodge & Camp and is overall responsible for the operation of WSL & Camping as a tourist destination. The day-to-day management is carried out by the Proponent Mr. Ronny Rathaiser and his 46 full-time employees. The Proponent is hereby applying for the RENEWAL of his Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) for White Sands Lodge and Camping including Water abstraction and Effluent discharge licenses. References and web pages referred to: • Proponent Mr. R. Ratheiser (pers. com.) • CBNROM/NACSO webpage on Kyaramacan Association • Shilongo, K.& J. Heita, 2018. EMP for White Sands Lodge and Camping at Popa Falls • EAP Dr. E Klingelhoeffer visit to White Sands Lodge and Camping at Popa Falls • Google earth maps Date: 12 December 2025

Commenting of the public on this project will expire at 12h00 on the 2026-04-07

Projects Documents

• EMP
• Confirmation of screening notice received (through email) in terms of assessment procedures (Section 35 (1)(a)(b) of the Environmental Management Act, No 7 of 2007)
• Preliminary Site Map (Project boundaries) with coordinates (decimal degrees) and a Legend
• CV of Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP)
• Declaration for the Submission of Assessment Reports and other Support Documents (upload Declaration Form from www.eia.meft.gov.na (downloads)

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