The Ekipa Etosha Pod: A Timeless Tribute to Culture, Craftsmanship and Luxury in the Wild

In the Oshiwambo tradition, an ekipa is an ornamental button or clasp, traditionally crafted from ivory, bone or metal and worn by Aawambo women as a symbol of prestige, heritage and continuity.

Historically, these intricate pieces were reserved for momentous occasions, such as weddings, funerals and other ceremonies.

Gondwana Collection Namibia recently unveiled The Ekipa Etosha Pod, the latest addition to its Secret Collection, named after this adornment.

Located 10 km south of Andersson Gate on the C38 (Etosha National Park), this retreat is a tribute to modern architectural expressions and a cultural lineage.

Across Africa, adornments similar to the ekipa exist, each known by a different name, each telling a story of craftsmanship, status and communal bonds.

In Mozambique, the Makonde people’s wood carvings hold spiritual significance, while Botswana’s San people incorporate beads into ceremonial attire.

Ethiopia’s ornate silver and ivory jewellery, deeply tied to Orthodox Christian traditions, serves as an expression of faith and identity.

Designing and creating the pod was anything but conventional.

The architectural team first experimented with ideas derived from Namibia’s many environments, including the distinctive forms of the local animals, the infinite salt pans of Etosha and mopane trees.

Early ideas included towers resembling forts and buildings modelled after the long, curved shapes of mopane worms.

However, nothing was able to fully express what The Ekipa needed to be.

Following several revisions, a straightforward but impactful concept emerged: The building should reflect the same thing that gave it its name.

The design accomplished something genuinely unique by transforming the shape of an ekipa into an architectural masterpiece – a monolithic presence in the environment that is both noticeable and blends in.

As the design evolved, the final structure took inspiration from two symbols: the ekipa and the pangolin.

The building’s exterior is wrapped in a textured, dark grey-blue surface, mirroring the scales of a pangolin in a defensive stance.

Its silhouette recalls the ekipa’s iconic rounded edges, softened yet bold. With uninterrupted morning views through the east-facing doors, and Etosha’s magnificent sunsets can be enjoyed from the west-facing balcony. The pool completes the design by merging the natural and constructed worlds in a way that is reminiscent of a traditional waterhole, or oshona.

Although the structure itself has a powerful, commanding presence, the pod’s inside has been thoughtfully designed to blend influence with delicate, feminine details.

This duality draws inspiration from African royalty – the strength of the warriors and the grace of the matriarchs, culminating in an architectural language that speaks to power, beauty and continuity.

The Ekipa Etosha Pod has a story – one that is better understood when experienced, because the culture of a people resides within the walls and foundations of this creation, therefore they should convey it as authentically as possible.

For more information on The Ekipa, visit Gondwana Collection Namibia’s website and be among the first to experience opulence in the wild.