At a Glance
- Gondwana Collection Namibia launches the Hop’n’Go2, a free shuttle service transforming city travel in Windhoek.
- The eco-friendly initiative promotes sustainable tourism and supports local drivers and small businesses.
- Plans are underway to expand the service to Swakopmund by December 2025, boosting Namibia’s urban tourism appeal.
Windhoek is changing how travelers experience Namibia’s capital.
In a bid to make urban tourism more accessible and sustainable, Gondwana Collection Namibia has introduced the Hop’n’Go2, a free city shuttle service designed to simplify travel within the city while supporting green mobility.
The initiative, which launched in October 2025, marks a bold step toward reshaping how visitors navigate Windhoek’s cultural and social landscape.
The pilot program will operate throughout the month before expanding to Swakopmund by the end of the year—an expansion that could redefine city tourism across Namibia’s most visited destinations.
For decades, Windhoek has served primarily as a gateway for travelers en route to Namibia’s desert landscapes and wildlife parks.
Now, the city is asserting itself as a destination worth exploring in its own right.
The Hop’n’Go2 shuttle makes it easier for visitors to enjoy Windhoek’s restaurants, nightlife, museums, and art spaces—without worrying about cost or logistics.
Beyond convenience, the initiative positions Gondwana Collection Namibia as a pioneer in hospitality innovation and sustainable tourism.
A new way to explore windhoek
Operating exclusively in the evenings, the bright yellow Hop’n’Go2 shuttles follow a flexible route linking major hotels, restaurants, and nightlife spots across the capital.
The service is first-come, first-served, encouraging a casual, social atmosphere where travelers can mingle and explore at their own pace.
No reservations are required—passengers can simply hop on, ride, and discover Windhoek’s hidden corners.
Inside each shuttle, guests receive curated city guides that go beyond standard tourist maps.
The guides feature local cultural insights, sustainability tips, and personalized recommendations from Gondwana’s travel experts.
QR codes give riders instant access to live route updates, nearby attractions, and dining options, blending digital convenience with authentic storytelling that resonates with today’s experience-driven travelers.
This simple yet thoughtful design captures what modern tourism increasingly values—connection, flexibility, and purpose-driven travel.
Safety, jobs, and sustainability at the core
Each Hop’n’Go2 shuttle is GPS-tracked and operated by trained freelance drivers who are part of Gondwana’s extended network.
The arrangement provides employment opportunities for local drivers while ensuring visitors are guided by professionals familiar with Windhoek’s streets and culture.
The initiative also ties into Gondwana’s Tourism Heroes Campaign, launched in 2023 to celebrate hospitality workers who embody service excellence, safety, and kindness.
By linking the Hop’n’Go2 to this campaign, Gondwana emphasizes that responsible tourism extends beyond the environment—it’s equally about community and human connection.
Beyond its social benefits, the project contributes to reduced carbon emissions and less urban congestion, aligning with Namibia’s broader sustainability goals.
For travelers, it delivers both convenience and conscience—a rare balance in modern tourism.
Expanding to Swakopmund and beyond
Following the success of the Windhoek launch, Gondwana plans to extend the Hop’n’Go2 service to Swakopmund by December 2025.
The expansion will connect Namibia’s popular coastal tourism hub through a similar free, tech-enabled system.
For the wider travel industry, the model offers a blueprint for how African cities can enhance mobility while preserving local character and environmental integrity.
As tourism across Africa continues to rebound, initiatives like Hop’n’Go2 could inspire similar projects from Cape Town to Nairobi, where cities face growing pressure to balance rising visitor numbers with sustainability goals.
Redefining Urban tourism in Africa
Gondwana Collection Namibia, long known for its eco-lodges across Namibia’s deserts and coasts, is now extending that same ethos into the city.
The Hop’n’Go2 introduces a sustainable, community-centered alternative to taxis and private rentals while encouraging travelers to spend more time—and money—within the local economy.
The decision to keep the service unbookable was deliberate.
It ensures operational flexibility and spontaneity, allowing riders to explore freely and socialize—an experience that mirrors the open, welcoming spirit of Namibian hospitality.
In many ways, the Hop’n’Go2 is more than a shuttle; it’s a symbol of change in how African destinations approach tourism.
It demonstrates that sustainability, convenience, and culture can coexist—and even thrive—in a modern urban setting.
A blueprint for Africa’s Urban travel future
Hop’n’Go2 represents more than just a transport innovation—it’s a statement of intent.
It shows how African hospitality leaders can integrate smart mobility with community empowerment and eco-conscious design.
For Windhoek, it’s a chance to lead by example and prove that sustainable tourism can flourish not only in remote game reserves but also in the heart of a growing African capital.
As Gondwana looks to the future, the Hop’n’Go2 stands as both a beacon of urban renewal and a model for inclusive tourism—one ride at a time.
