CAMP KIPWE – TWYFELFONTEIN – SOUTHERN DAMARALAND

Camp Kipwe is an intimate and remote bush lodge located in Namibia’s arid yet starkly beautiful Twyfelfontein region, home to many ancient Bushman etchings. Kipwe mean blessed in Swahili and the camp is nestled in the boulders with fabulous views over the Aba Huab. Incorporating the red basalt rocks and mopane branches – the camp has a natural organic feel.

The 9 specially-designed rooms are unique and private with an outdoor bathroom, thatched roofs and spectacular views over the surrounding area. Or choose a luxury thatched suite with a lounge with air-conditioning, a satellite television, a double room with ensuite bathroom, laundry service and a mini-bar.

Camp Kipwe offers guided nature walks around the Twyfelfontein Conservancy as well as trips to see the Bushman etchings, the mysterious Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain. For a very special experience enjoy an Elephant Nature Drive – explore the area around camp in search of desert-dwelling elephants who have adapted to the dry and sandy conditions of northern Namibia.

LOCATION

Camp Kipwe is located in the Uibasen-Twyfelfontein Community Conservancy in Damaraland in the north-eastern region of Namibia. The closest towns are Uis approximately 122km east and Khorixas approximately 92km south.

Windhoek is 550km away and is approximately 5 1⁄2 hours’ drive. Swakopmund is 320kim and is approximately 4 hours’ drive. The closest airstrip to the camp is Twyfelfontein Airstrip which is a 20 minute transfer by camp vehicle.

CAMP

The camp has 9 Bungalow Rooms in the shape of rondavels which have boulder, cement and rock walls which keeps the rooms cool in summer. The rooms have outside decks where you can sit and soak up the amazing views and the ensuite open-air private bathrooms are built amongst the rocks allowing you to take advantage of the outdoor weather. Hot water is supplied by wood-burning ‘donkey’ boilers and solar geysers. For children outdoor camping tents are available – please ask.

The Kipwe Suite is an air-conditioned, luxury elevated thatched suite that has a private lounge equipped with a satellite television and minibar with drinks included. The large double room with king-size bed opens up onto an ensuite open air bathroom with a beautiful bath area.

The main area has a lounge, bar and dining room with stunning views toward the Aba Huab and an outdoor boma area for relaxing and dining on special occasions. The camp has a swimming pool build into the rocks and a Curio shop for safari retail therapy.

Please note that the camp does not have WIFI due to the remote location, but it does have cell phone in reception.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

Climb into an open-air vehicle and experience the rush of Africa. Mowani’s local guides share with their guests an intimate knowledge and respect for the land that they have built up over a lifetime. With new insight into local traditions, you will come to fully appreciate the geology, botany and wildlife of the area. Local villagers are welcoming and keen to share their experiences.

Guided Nature Drive – usually departs at 06h30 and will go out for +/- 4 – 6 hours to explore the surrounding area and search for the desert adapted animals, such as the desert-adapted elephants and desert black rhino. Drinks & snacks are included.

Twyfelfontein, Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes Excursion – this usually departs at 15h00 and will last for +/- 2 hours taking in the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein to explore the rock engravings, along with seeing Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes.

GIVING BACK

We believe our community, wildlife and environment should continue to thrive beyond our time here. We invest in the backbone of our structure, our people, through training. Staying true to ‘umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu’, we are currently in the process of setting up a community vegetable garden so as to purchase our vegetables from a community-based vegetable garden in the conservancy as well as support other projects.

Recognising that we aren’t the only ones that inhibit this space, we expanded the waterhole to ensure a herd of 18 elephants have enough to drink when they pay us a visit. Our interest spans far beyond our conservancy, and we proudly support the desert lion project. To preserve our natural environment, we planted indigenous plants which are harvested and replanted around the lodge and waterhole.

We ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ all our refuse and use energy saving bulbs as well as solar geysers to reduce our carbon footprint. The lodge was also designed with this mind – a high roof and ventilation ducts – results in a temperature change from inside and outside of no more than 5 degrees on hot days.

CAMP KIPWE IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

THE LODGE WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OF ALL AGES