Fact Sheet
| Rooms | Accommodation is in 10 large Mini Meru lodge tents, built on stilts with wooden floors and large wooden decks with great views. Mosquito netting is fitted on all windows and doors. The tents are pitched under broad thatched roofs that provide ample shade. The thatch extends beyond the back of each tent to cover the bathrooms, which have the 'feel' of being outdoors. Walls of natural stone and existing trees ensure privacy. The bathrooms, which have showers rather than baths, are equipped with electric geysers and septic tanks. Of the 10 tents, 8 have 2 x three-quarter beds, and 2 have double beds, all made from sleeper wood. The beds are made up with duvets in colourful linen, and extra blankets are provided in winter. The tents are not lockable, as it is not warranted (see Security) Access to the tents is via wooden walkways and stone steps, some of which are steeper / further from the main area than others. Two of the tents are accessible with a minimum of stairs, however the nature and location of the lodge is such that it is regrettably not wheelchair-friendly. In addition, each room has ...
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| Electricity | The lodge is connected to the national grid (NamPower), which provides 220V, 3-phase power, 24 hours a day. (No noisy and unreliable generators). The tents each have conventional 3-prong plug points, with adaptors for 2-prong (European) plugs. The pathway lights are on timers that switch off at midnight. |
| Water | The water is provided by NamWater via the municipality, and is perfectly fine to drink. (Many people believe that the water from the region is amongst the best tasting in Namibia.) The bathrooms enjoy particularly good water pressure but please bear in mind that water is a precious commodity and needs to be used sparingly. |
| Security | A guard is employed to maintain security in the vicinity of the tents at night. The guest vehicle parking area is secure, and the lodge gates are locked at night. Guests' valuables can be kept in the office safe for safekeeping on request. |
| Medical Assistance | A First Aid kit is available at the lodge. There is a doctor 15 minutes drive from the lodge. An airstrip is located 15minutes away in the event medical evacuation is required. |
| Facilities | Telephone, fax, and Internet facilities are available at reception, on request. The use of cellular phones is possible from the main, or restaurant, area if necessary (but is not encouraged). Visa and MasterCard are welcomed for the payment of bills; however, we are unable to accept either American Express or Diners Club cards. Bank, Post Office and petrol/diesel are available in Omaruru, 13 km's from the lodge. |
| Airstrip | The Omaruru airfield in situated 15min from the lodge for fly-in guests - transfers can be arranged. The co-ordinates for the airfield are: S21°25" E15°56" |
| Library | Guests can choose from an extensive collection of magazines and books to borrow at the main area. |
| Swimming Pool | A plunge pool is built into the rocks near the main area, and the water stays cool and refreshing all year round. A grass area surrounds the pool for lazy afternoons, with deck chairs and pool towels available. Above and behind the pool is a 'relaxation deck' with braai / barbecue facilities for outdoor functions. |
| Lounge & Restaurant | The lounge and restaurant are housed in a partially open, thatched building, which has a fireplace at its centre for colder winter nights. There is an outside deck, or veranda, with views of the sunset and the floodlit waterhole. A fully stocked bar caters for all tastes, while the wine list is a selection of lesser known, quality estates with an emphasis on originality. Wine prices range from N$ 40.00 to N$ 220.00. Dinner is served as a 'plated' meal over 3 courses, with a different set menu each evening. Most specific dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notice. Our greatest assets in this department are our two highly trained and innovative chefs. |
| Gifts | We are mindful that we are in a service, not retail, industry, and prefer to keep only a limited selection of gifts and mementos for sale. The emphasis is on goods produced in and around Omaruru, such as handmade paper, mobiles, local art, etc... |
| Activities | Nature drives on the lodge property are conducted in 2 x 10 seater Land Cruisers, which are configured for game viewing (i.e. open-topped). The excursions are led by either of our 2 qualified guides, both of whom are local to the area. In the immediate vicinity of the lodge are a number of activities and attractions, including; the region's only wine producer, microlighting, quad biking, additional Bushman Rock Art sites, various gem jewellery and other craft outlets in nearby Omaruru. |
| Gratuities | Tipping of staff is usual in Namibia and should be done in relation to the level of service received. The guides are usually tipped separately because of the close interaction they have with the guests. A communal tip box is therefore kept at reception should the guests wish to reward the other staff who, although mostly in the background, contribute equally to the quality of the Erongo experience. |
| Weather | The region's climate is usually pleasant, dry, and warm. Summer days can become hot, up to 40°C but are tempered by a cool afternoon breeze. Whilst the winter days are mostly warm, the nights can be cold. The climate includes a summer rainfall, with most of the (modest) rain falling in February & March. Guests are cautioned that the pathways are slippery when wet. |
| Parking | The lodge is situated approximately 1000m from the entrance gate, of which the final 800m is only accessible to 4 x 4 vehicles or those with a high ground clearance. Guests who are driving suitable vehicles are welcome to proceed directly to the lodge. Alternatively, a parking area for sedan–type vehicles is situated 200m inside the lodge gate, where waiting staff will attend to the transfer of guests to the lodge. It is essential for us to be informed of any unusual time of arrival (eg: before lunch or after sunset). |
| Environment & Wildlife | The lodge is situated within the Erongo Mountain Nature Conservancy. The Conservancy comprises 30 privately owned farms, covering an area of over 200 000 hectares, that have joined together in order to protect an area of incredible bio-diversity. The Erongo Mountains have particular importance in Namibia, as they host a vast array of plant, reptile, mammal and bird species that are endemic or near endemic to Namibia. Some examples of these include the Angolan Dwarf Python, White Tailed Shrike, Hartlaub's Francolin, Ruppell's Parrot, Damara Rock Runner, and Hartmann's Zebra. There are also species that, although not endemic, are extremely rare and have found refuge in the Erongo Mountains, e.g. Peregrine Falcon and Booted Eagle, which are almost certainly breeding in the area. The striking Black Eagle can also be seen breeding in many parts of the Mountains. The area is currently being fenced off and will soon be home to numerous re-introduced endangered Black Rhino. A project to re-introduce the near-endemic Black-Faced Impala is also in the pipeline. Walking in the area is considered safe, however, there are some potentially dangerous animals such as Leopard and Baboon roaming the area, and guests are asked to take great care when walking beyond the perimeter of the lodge itself. |
Suggested Daily Program (Based on summer times)
This is purely a suggested itinerary that has proved to be very popular with guests. All times and activities are completely flexible and dependent on the guests' needs and preferences.
Day 1
14h00/16h00 – Mid afternoon arrival
16h00 – Tea, coffee, cake at the lounge
18h00 – Guided sundowner walk
20h00 – Dinner
Day 2
07h00 – Tea, coffee, biscuits, rusks
07h30 – Early morning guided walk
09h30 – Brunch
11h00/15h30 – Relax, swim, explore
16h00 – Tea, coffee, cake
16h30 – Nature drive, usually to Paula's Cave rock art site (not included) – Sundowners
20h00 – Dinner
Day 3
07h00 – Tea, coffee, biscuits, rusks
07h30 – Early morning walk
09h30 – Brunch
11h00 – Depart
Many guests choose to stay longer for a variety of reasons. Serious and occasional birders find the area to be particularly rewarding, while others use the lodge as a base from which to explore the arts and culture-oriented town of Omaruru, or the nearby Spitzkoppe Mountains. Many others stay merely to savour the tranquillity and special nature of Erongo.
