About Ondudu Safari Lodge

When you arrive at Ondudu Safari Lodge, we welcome you with a cool drink to help you relax after your journey. You can head straight to your chalet to unpack and rest, or stop at the bar — made from an old mokoro canoe like the ones still used on our rivers today. The lounge has comfortable sofas and a shelf of books, or you can sit on one of the decks and take in the views as the light moves across the boulders. On hot days, enjoy a refreshing swim in our small pool while watching the birdlife around you.

In winter, when the temperatures drop, you can sit by the warm fire inside or relax at the outside firepit while keeping an eye on the waterhole for wildlife. Our restaurant serves tasty meals three times a day. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs so we can prepare something that suits you. The dining area overlooks the waterhole, so you can watch animals and birds come for a drink while you enjoy yours.

The Area

The Erongo region covers more than 63,000 square kilometres of wide, open bushveld, with only a few small towns scattered across the landscape. The Erongo Mountains rise suddenly from the flat plains and can be seen from far away. When you drive over a hill, it often feels like you can see all the way to the horizon. These mountains are an important part of the area and home to many plant, reptile, bird, and animal species found only in Namibia or almost nowhere else.

The closest town - 14km away - is Omaruru, a quiet and friendly community. Its name means “bitter milk” in Herero, a reminder of the old days when Herero cattle would graze on the plains and their milk would taste bitter after eating a certain bush. Omaruru is a lovely place to explore. You’ll find small curio shops, cafes, crafters, chocolatiers, and even wineries. It’s the perfect spot to pick up a gift or something special to take home with you. The Omaruru River runs through the area, although it stays dry most of the year. When heavy rains fall in the catchment area, the river can suddenly come to life. Sometimes it’s just a soft flow, and other times it rushes through the dry landscape with surprising power on its way to the Atlantic Ocean. Seeing it in flood is a rare and unforgettable moment. The ancient

Bushman paintings found in this region are another highlight. Their exact age is unknown, but some may be as old as 6,000 years. Research and protection efforts are still developing, which makes these artworks feel even more mysterious and precious. Today, much of the Erongo region consists of cattle and goat farms, sharing the land with both free-roaming wildlife and animals inside protected reserves.

As you drive across the plains, you’re likely to spot warthogs, baboons, kudu, gemsbok, cheeky meerkats, and tiny dik-diks along the way. So take your time here. Slow down, breathe, and let this landscape show you its quiet, beautiful heart

Staying with us

Ondudu Safari Lodge is a truly unique experience, particularly so for those who enjoy hiking and birdlife. Many rare and endemic species of animals have made this area home and are protected in our constitution as well as by NGO’s such as the private landowners that this breathtaking piece of land belongs to.

While enjoying the main lodge as the shared area, you can retreat to your chalet and enjoy the expanses peeking out between the mighty boulders. Each chalet boasts its own deck for you to enjoy the surroundings from, as well as luxury furnishings inside and open-air bathrooms.

Due to the abundance of water in an otherwise dry area, birdlife has congregated here at the lodge. With over 260 species in the area, you can always expect an uncommon sighting. We have begun a list of those seen here at the lodge, and would appreciate additions to this should you see any not mentioned.

From one of our two viewing decks, you can also spot the small rock dassies (hyrax) or the endemic dassie rats vying for drinking space at the waterhole.

To fully experience the magnificence of the lodge and its surroundings, we have designed a number of hikes and mountainbike trails for you to take part in during your stay. If you are an avid photographer, nature provides you with more than enough material to fill your SD card.

Accommodation

In the shadows of this ancient volcano, you can choose to stay in one of the twelve luxurious tented chalets, or enjoy the isolation of our Treehouse.

The tented chalets, constructed on stilts, offer luxury and comfort with a view.There are twelve chalets with either double or twin beds, and one family room that can accommodate four guests. Made up with fresh high-quality linens and extra blankets for those chilly evenings, this is comfort at its best. The hard wood floors are cool in summer and warm in winter. Each chalet has a bathroom set against the boulders, with a shower, washbasin, and toilet. Cleverly designed spaces between the roof and walls allow for more great views – even from the shower.

There are complementary toiletries for your use and towels are supplied while staying with us. There are facilities for coffee and tea in each room, so you can savour an early morning hot drink from the comfort of your room or private deck as you watch the sun rise and the birds start their day. Unfortunately there are no kettles in the rooms, but please do request flasks of either hot or cold water from the lodge.

The Treehouse is an experience not to be missed if you are looking for solitude and silence, where the only sounds you will hear are those of the animals and wind in the trees.

FACILITIES AND AMENITIES:

• Lounge area
• Restaurant
• Bar inside the restaurant
• Tented luxury accommodations
  • Supplied toiletries and towels
  • Tea and coffee station
• Small swimming pool with loungers
• Variety of viewing decks
• Fireplace and an outside fire pit
• An exchange library to trade your holiday reads
• WiFi internet is available in the reception area and the tents (please note that connectivity cannot be guaranteed due to the remote location).
• Bushman tours, mountain bike trails and hikes.