There are some beautiful lodges throughout Namibia, of course we's be silly if we did not have our favourites. Here they are, together we what makes helps us decide about what makes a lodge noteworthy and memorable.
- Okonjima is home to the Africat Foundation
- Onguma Tented Lodge is one of several private lodges adjacent to the Etosha National Park
- Stay at Mowani Mountain Lodge in Damaraland and see spectacular rock art and rock engravings
- The guides at Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge are amongst the most well trained in Namibia
- Enjoy 360 degree views of the Namib Naukluft Desert from your room at Wolwedans Dune Lodge
- Serra Cafema is one of the most remote lodges in Namibia, and is located on the Kunene River
Namibia boasts some of the most remote lodges in Africa and this in our opinion is the appeal of the lodges. The lodges in Namibia might not yet be quite as sophisticated as lodges in South Africa or Botswana but in terms of location they are hard to beat. Our favourite Namibian Lodges give you a complete sense of being in the middle of nowhere, miles of nothing and endless landscapes as far as the eye can see, a kind of solitude that we believe that you can only really experience in Namibia.
We make a point of visiting lodges and experiencing lodges just as you will do on your trip to Namibia, this allows us to give you first hand experience of what it feels like to stay in the lodges, what the hospitality is like and what you can really expect when you stay there. What makes a lodge a lodge is the fact that at a lodge there are usually ‘activities’ on offer whether they are nature walks, game drives, ocean safaris, a regular hotel does not have these activities.
So here it is, this is what we think makes a great
Namibian Lodge, as well as a couple of asides about what to bear in mind when you check in !
Rooms
Lodges vary from the ultra luxurious to the ultra simple. We do however believe that without exception that your staying there not for the accommodation but for the activities and the things that you are doing whilst at the lodge. The rooms are important – yes – but they are not of primary importance. Like hotel we look for good beds, 100% cotton sheets, extra blankets, nice amenities, outside shower, large bathrooms, things that show that the lodge owners have gone the extra mile like welcome notes and turndowns. Many of the lodges in Namibia work on generators and whilst it does get hot, airconditoning is not always readily available. Things like televisions are not available and are not essential part of a stay in a lodge.
Meals
Due to their remote location most lodges operate on a Fully Inclusive basis and include all meals and sometimes even drinks. Speak to your Rhino Africa consultant to establish which lodges this applies to on your itinerary. Aim to arrive at the lodge in for tea at about 14h30 at which time the lodges usually serve a late lunch or high tea, before the afternoon the afternoon activity. You will return back to the lodge for dinner in the evening. Brunch is usually served in the late morning after your early morning activities. In the case of excursions to Sossusvlei the lodges pack picnic breakfasts to be enjoyed under the Camelthorne Trees. In our opinion great Namibian lodges celebrate Namibia, where they serve tasty home cooked Namibian food, in natural surroundings.
Rangers and Guides
The presence of activities such as bush walks, natures drives, game drives, predator walks etc, is the criteria by which we classify a ‘lodge’. These incredibly knowledgeable young men and women are trained to give you a local insight into
Namibian Facts and Information and to its incredible flora and fauna, geology, and all manner of things that you are seeing. They are consummate hosts and will undoubtedly leave you with fantastic memories and be a highlight of your holiday. To us it is vitally important that the lodges employ and train first rate guides and rangers and this is one of the most important criteria that we check when visiting a lodge.
Management and Staff
The management and staff of a lodge are highly important to a stay. From a warm welcome when you are arrive to a warm farewell when you leave, if there is disharmony in a lodge, then you will instinctively feel it. We love staying at lodge where there are lodge choirs to welcome guests. Many lodges in Namibia and throughout Africa are located in rural communities and actively support the local communities, whether it be in the form of schools, clinics, or 'bursaries’.
