ETENDEKA MOUNTAIN CAMP – NORTHERN DAMARALAND

Etendeka Mountain Camp is set in the foothills of the Grootberg massif amidst magnificent scenery and the ancient Etendeka lavas of northern Damaraland. The camp has just ten ensuite Meru tents which have been recently refitted with luxury mattresses and 100% cotton linen and the necessary comforts have not been overlooked with the bathrooms also benefiting from a makeover while retaining traditional, open-air bucket showers.

Etendeka enjoys a long standing and award-winning commitment to eco-friendly values. Simple, fresh wholesome meals are prepared either in solar ovens or on open fires and enjoyed under African skies. Extensive use is made of solar power throughout the camp. Etendeka is one of only two establishments that have been awarded the highest rank in the Namibian Eco-awards.

At Etendeka wildlife has acclimatised to a precarious existence amongst the towering basalt mountains and dry mopane-shaded river courses of the Kunene Region and there is a strong focus on walking activities.

LOCATION

The camp is located in a remote area in Kaokoveld (Northern Damaraland) bordering the Palmwag Concession.

Access is either by self-drive to Palmwag Lodge pick-up point only or a fly-in by light aircraft where you will be met and transferred to camp.

CAMP

The camp has been designed to fit into the landscape both aesthetically and environmentally. Basalt rocks from the area have been stacked on top of each other in a gabion to create the textured walls of the main building. The lines are clean and welcoming with an open plan flow that looks out onto incredible vistas of the mountains created by ancient lava flows.

The 10 tents are spacious with twin beds, two tents have double beds and all are freshly made up with luxury mattresses and 100 percent cotton linen. The comforts do not take away from the traditional tented camp atmosphere. A stunning eco-friendly open-air bucket shower with hot and cold water adds to the bush experience.

The main camp is rustic, simple and inviting and has a bar with an incredible view and a comfortable lounge flanked by a long table where breakfasts, lunches and wholesome dinners are shared with your host and guide. Outside there is a plunge pool with sun loungers.

The camp runs off solar energy and the tents and bathroom have solar lighting. The camp maintains a small footprint and works with a dedicated team from the community. Etendeka is committed to sustainable tourism and has been awarded the maximum of five flowers by the Namibian National Eco-Awards Alliance. There is internet access in the main area and the camp is solar powered with 220 volt charging facilities, again in the main area.

ACTIVITIES

Scenic Game viewing Transfer to the Camp – arriving guests are met at the pickup point situated at Palmwag Lodge and transferred by game viewing vehicle the 18km to the camp. This limits the number of vehicles using the concession tracks. The transfer usually takes an hour and a half and provides an introduction to the area and your guide will explain briefly the geology, fauna and flora and some general details about the concession.

Self-guided Sundowner Walk – a short self-guided ‘sundowner walk’ is an option in the afternoon after arrival at the camp where you get the opportunity to walk up a hill behind the camp to get a better idea of the spectacular setting and location of the camp.

Guided Morning Nature Walk – the morning activity is a guided 3 – 3.5 hour nature walk. The distance is between 4 and 6 km with lots of discussion and interpretation. Conservancies are an important subject with the value of the conservancy to the local communities being explained.

Afternoon Scenic Game Drive – allows guests to travel to other parts of the concession and to have a better opportunity to see the wide variety of animals that have adapted to this harsh environment. All activities are accompanied by a guide; vehicles are restricted to the regular tracks and walks follow routine paths.

Etendeka Overnight Walking Trail Experience – a unique new offering this experience is an authentic and exhilarating engagement with nature. Trek through one of Namibia’s most remote and untouched landscapes on foot, have sundowners as you look out over never-ending vistas of ancient rock formations and sleep under a blanket of stars. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to connect with nature. Good health and a good level of fitness paired with a love for the outdoors is required.

Stargazing – after dinner your hosts will point out some of the more interesting constellations, stars and planets with the aid of a star pointer and a telescope. With minimal light and air pollution in this area, star gazing is a treat to the eye.

GIVING BACK

Etendeka Mountain Camp has been operating for 25 years and in 2012 entered into a 20 year joint venture agreement with the Omatendeka and Anabeb Conservancies for the continued lease of the concession and the rental of fixed assets that belong to the conservancies. The land is state land but is also communal land and accessible as controlled marginal grazing area for communities to the north.

Founder of the Etendeka Mountain Camp Dennis Liebenberg and Roger Fussell from the operating company Big Sky Lodges have quarterly meetings with the Omatendeka and Ananbeb communities who benefit directly from the proceeds of the lodge. The feedback sessions include updates on plans for the camp as well as financial reporting. The conservancies will be given the option to buy the operational company when the concession expires in 2032.

This joint venture between the community and the private sector is part of a successful model set up by the Namibian Government in the mid-nineties to help drive tourism and economic development in the country. By forming conservancies, communities in remote areas like this are empowered to manage and benefit from their natural resources. All Government concessions now operate as joint ventures with indigenous communities.

ETENKEKA LODGE IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

THE LODGE WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 8 YEARS AND OLDER