Central Namibia
Erongo Wilderness Lodge
The Erongo Wilderness Lodge is a friendly and well-run camp west of Omaruru in the Erongo Mountains Nature Conservancy, excellent for walkers and birders. Accommodation is in 10 en suite raised tented chalets with thatched roofs scattered around a kopje (rocky outcrop) with plenty of privacy. The chalets have great views, comfortable beds, fridges, mosquito netted windows and a decking area with sun loungers.
There are raised stone and wooden walkways to connect the chalets with the higher main building which has a restaurant serving delicious meals, lounge and fireplace. There is also a small library and curio shop and the walls are decorated with historic artefacts.
Just below the main building is a small swimming pool in which to cool off and admire the marvellous views, plus a water hole visited by smaller nocturnal wildlife particularly Cape porcupines.
Activities include nature walks, usually with early starts to maximise sightings, and again in the evening as part of a sundowner drive. There are also nature drives offered (at extra cost). Local wildlife includes Hartman’s mountain zebra, springbok, kudu, steenbok, klipspringer, dassie rats, baboons and surprisingly diverse bird life including the beautiful rosy-headed lovebird and the enigmatic white-tailed shrike. The nearby Paula’s Cave has fascinating bushman rock art, and special al fresco meals can be arranged at scenic spots in the great desert landscape.
Facilities
Private facilities, restaurant, lounge, swimming pool, library, curio shop, fridge, sun decks and mosquito nets.
Local Wildlife
There is a waterhole at the lodge visited at night by Cape porcupine, jackal and other nocturnal wildlife. The endemic rock dassie rat as well as common dassies can be seen sunbathing on top of the larger rocks. The area is superb for birding and star species include the rosy-faced lovebirds. Larger mammals include Hartman’s mountain zebra, springbok, kudu, steenbok, klipspringer and besia oryx.
Optional Activities
Guided nature and sundowner walks and drives. Excursions to Paula's Cave are also available.
Alan Godwin
Area Specialist
As this is on the way from Etosha to Swakopmund, guests often stay only one night en route but usually regret it, so do try to stay for two nights or more – it’s well worth it, especially if you like walking and/or birding. The nearby small town of Omaruru is quite interesting for its German colonial buildings and historic feel.
If you have any questions regarding our Namibia tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
This was our second visit to Namibia in just over 12 months, with Reef and Rainforest and our seventh consecutive wildlife trip with them. I think that speaks for itself. This year we were particularly keen to try and observe some desert adapted Lions. The Lions found in ‘The Namib Desert’ are genetically identical to those found in the rest of Southern Africa but have adapted to live in one of the harshest environments on earth. They number around 150 and have a huge range, and are rarely seen. They came to prominence in the outstanding documentary film ‘Vanishing Kings’. The best chance of observing members of this subset of Lions is during a stay at Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, although sightings cannot be guaranteed and weeks can pass by without any success. Therefore a stay at this camp was at the heart of our itinerary and we were very lucky to spend time with a Lioness and her niece who had killed an Oryx in the conservancy. The camp itself is absolutely outstanding in every respect and the location is just spectacular.
Visitors should be aware that this is not ‘The Serengeti’ and that the wildlife is quite thin on the ground. However you would have to be very unlucky not to see Elephant, Giraffe and several other species. Whilst we were out in the desert we were lucky to bump in to Dr P. Stander who has dedicated the whole of his adult life to the conservation of The Desert Lion, what a thrill. The day trip out to the coast was pretty special as well.
The rest of the itinerary worked very well and we were very pleased to have three full days in Etosha N.P. where we recorded 25 mammal species, including 32 individual Lions, observed the aftermath of 4 zebra kills, 11 Rhinoceros (both Black & White), an African Wildcat and the rarely seen in Etosha, elusive Leopard.
So a big thank you to ALL at Reef and Rainforest, another highly successful trip, you certainly delivered again.
