Erongo Wilderness Lodge is part of the 200,000 hectare Erongo Mountain Nature Conservancy, and lies in the foothills of the Erongo Mountains. The Erongo Mountain range, just a few hour's drive north of Windhoek, is a beautiful area and a wonderful place to spend a few days, especially if you are a bird watcher.
The area has an abundance of birdlife. From raptors to the smallest of sunbirds, the viewing of birds in the area is superb. The nest of the resident breeding pair of Black (Verreaux) Eagles can be seen on cliff faces, with sightings of this magnificent bird occurring frequently. The lodge dining room and bar overlook a small valley where a fantastic variety species have been sighted, including Ruppell's Parrot, Rosy-faced Lovebird, Monteiro's Hornbill, and the Redheaded Finch.
Walking the area surrounding the lodge is the best way to experience the beauty of the Erongo Mountains. Experienced guides are on hand to explain the flora and fauna or there is also a number of self-guided walking trails that guests can follow - these are of varying degrees of difficulty with some being more suited to the adventurous explorer, and some more suited to those wanting to opt for a gentle stroll. The sundowner walk to the top of a granite hill is extremely popular, and offers spectacular views of the Erongo and Brandberg mountains while enjoying a cold sundowner drink.
A nature drive either in the morning or the afternoon takes you through the reserve to the foot of the hill where Paula's Cave is situated - a National Monument site with some outstanding bushman rock art. If you go on the evening drive, after exploring the rock art, you get to relax with a cold sundowner drink and enjoy the closing of the day. A slow drive searching for nocturnal animals with the help of a spotlight will bring you back to the lodge in time for dinner.
The lodge has 12 luxury tented Meru-style tented rooms in total, built on stilts, set against towering granite formations. Each tent has its own niche amongst the rocks, and are pitched under steep thatched roofs for shade. The netting across all windows and doors allows the breeze to enter naturally. All the tents open up onto a large shaded deck with spectacular views, and are accessible by wooden walkway and stone steps.
The Family Tent is made of of two adjoining tents, and there is also a larger Tented Suite, made up of two bedrooms which share a private dining/lounge area and an outside boma firepit - ideal for families with older children or two couples travelling together.
Rates Include
Breakfast; dinner; and guided walks are included.
Children Policy
Children of any age are welcome. Rates available on request.
Directions For Drivers
From Windhoek: Take the B1 to Okahandja, which becomes the B2 as you head towards Swakopmund. Shortly before Karibib, take the C33 towards Omaruru. Travel along this road for 63 km, and just before the town of Omaruru, turn left onto the D2315. After 10 km of gravel road turn left into Erongo Wilderness Lodge (ignore the sign that says 'Erongo Lodge 42 km' as this is for a different establishment).
Alternatively, the following route is 40 km shorter, BUT it does involve an extra 70 km of gravel road. Follow the B1 to Okahandja, which becomes the B2 as you head towards Swakopmund. About 70 km after Okahandja, at Wilhelmstal, take the C36 turn-off on your right towards Omaruru. Travel on this gravel road for about 67 km until you reach a T-junction with the Karibib-Omaruru tar road (C33). Turn right on this road towards Omaruru. About 3 km turn left onto the D2315, and follow the directions as above.
From Swakopmund: Take the B2 towards Windhoek and Karibib. Shortly after Karibib, turn right onto the C33 towards Omaruru, and follow the directions as above.
For a more scenic route from Swakopmund, follow the directions above towards Karibib and Usakos. At Usakos, turn left on the D2306 towards Okombahe. After +/- 50 km turn right onto the D2315 towards Omaruru and continue along this road for +/- 48 km until you see the signs to turn right into Erongo Wilderness Lodge gate. This route will take you on gravel roads through the scenic Erongo Mountains, and is accessible with a 2WD. It will add about 30 minutes onto your journey.
From the North: Travel through the town of Omaruru on the C33 towards Karibib. About 3 km out of Omaruru turn right onto the D2315, and follow the directions as above.
After entering the lodge gate, travel a few hundred metres until you see a parking area and a sign indicating that the lodge is 800m up a steep hill. If you have a 4x4 you may continue up the road to the lodge, otherwise the lodge will collect you from the parking area.
General Information For Guests
The tents, raised on stilts, have broad, shaded decks, and en-suite bathrooms built around the existing rocks and trees. They each have pedestal fans, an in-room safe, minibar and tea/coffee making facilities.
Raised wooden walkways and natural stone steps connect the tented en-suite chalets to the main area, where the restaurant, lounge, swimming pool and sundowner deck are situated. The open-plan lounge and restaurant overlooks a floodlit waterhole, and is warmed by a central fireplace in the winter.
The lodge has 24 hour security and there is secure parking.
Complimentary internet access is available, and there is mobile phone connectivity.
Battery charging facilities are available, as well as babysitting services (additional cost).
A laundry service is available, but due to potential water shortages this is discouraged (additional cost).
Credit cards are accepted.
Walking the area surrounding the lodge is highly encouraged and is the best way to experience the beauty of the Erongo Mountains. The guides have been very well trained on the interesting fauna and flora of the area and are available to escort guests through the property at any time that suits them. An unlimited number of guided walks are included in the rate such as:
Sundowner walk: very close to the lodge, you will be guided up a granite hill where you can enjoy a cold sundowner drink while watching the sun set over spectacular views of the Erongo and Brandberg Mountains.
Early morning walk: This is for those who want to get the most out of the beauty of the Erongo Mountains during the stunning early morning light. This walk is 3-4 hours in duration and can be of various degrees of difficulty depending on your preference. You meet at 06:00 in the restaurant for tea, coffee and rusks. Your guide will take extra water, juice and snacks along for the walk.
Morning walk: This is for those who want to have a more relaxed walk, but still experience the beauty of the Erongo Mountains. This walk is 1-2 hours in duration and can be of various degrees of difficulty, depending on your preference. You meet at 07:00 in the restaurant for tea, coffee, fresh juice, rusks, muffins and a selection of fruit.
A number of walking trails have also been marked out through the spectacular areas around the lodge. Again, these are of varying degrees of difficulty - some being more suited to the adventurous explorer, and some more suited to those wanting to opt for a gentle stroll.
Guests can also join a guided nature drive to Paula's Cave. After about an hour and a half’s drive through the scenically beautiful lodge property you will end up at the foot of the hill where the site of Paula’s Cave can be found. An easy walk up the hill will take you to the National Monument site of some outstanding bushman rock art. After exploring the rock art, relax with a cold ‘sundowner’ drink and enjoy the closing of the day. A slow drive searching for nocturnal animals with the help of a spotlight will bring you back to the lodge in time for dinner. A must-see for anyone visiting the area and this drive can be done both in the morning or the afternoon (additional cost).
