This farsighted project has contributed significantly to building the Netgro Group's tourism investments. In the meantime, a new holding company, Taleni Africa Tourism Holdings was created to consolidate Willie du Toit and his partners' tourism portfolio. Taleni Africa now incorporates Big Five Destinations Classic Flight Safaris serving Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa; the Sossusvlei Lodge & Conference Centre as well as the Desert Camp at Sossusvlei. In the north, Taleni Etosha Village has been developed on the Etosha National Park's boundary. The group also plans major expansions here.
The Sossusvlei Lodge and Conference Centre targets companies in Windhoek and South Africa to market the facility, as an upmarket conference venue that is truly removed from everyday interferences. The DC6 plays an important role in this marketing effort as conference packages include transfer for all delegates by the stately aircraft. After a landing dispute with NWR, the DC 6 now lands at Geluk airstrip on the farm next to Sossusvlei. Du Toit said he is planning to extend the Sossusvlei Lodge strip so that the DC 6 can land very close to the lodge.
The conference centre has a seating capacity of 102. When not in use for conferences, it doubles as a recreation area for lodge guests. The main room has a retractable central partition to cater for smaller groups. One of the smaller sections can then be used as a lounge. It has a reading room with library and fireplace.
Du Toit said later this year, Taleni Africa will open a new service station and convenient store at Sesriem. He said the NWR service station is of no use to tourists as it is most often without fuel. Taleni Africa plans this to be a tourist attraction on its own being the first green service station in the country. Totally solar powered, design by a green architect, incorporating many of the natural elements, the service station and shop will blend in with its surroundings. All waste is returned to Windhoek same as has always been the case at Sossusvlei Lodge.
Taleni Africa's marketing manager is well-known tourism personality Ute de Jager while the lodge is managed by Angelique Leff.