KAOKOVELD & KUNENE RIVER
Epupa Falls Lodge
After the long trek through Kaokoveld north of Opuwo, it will
feel like you’ve found the Promised Land when you arrive at Epupa Falls – 174 km north of Opuwo, on the C43. There’s water, greenery and a lodge with a deck where you can sip a cold Savanna. Camping R125 p.p. (max six people per stand; there are seven stands) plus R50 – R100 extra per trailer/caravan. Groups bigger than 10 people: Camping R110 per adult; free for children under 12. Five chalets on stilts with good views; rates from R1 150 per person sharing (meals included). Enquire about B&B discounts for SADC residents. The lodge has a restaurant. A Himba cultural tour costs R750 per person. Sunset tour R350 per person, including drinks and snacks. GPS: S17.00242 E13.24450
Contact: 00 264 81 250 8225; epupafallslodge.com; koos.cunene@iway.na (campsite bookings);
bookings@epupafallslodge.com (lodge bookings) 2 Omarunga Lodge At Epupa Falls with a restaurant and a swimming pool. Camping R150 p.p. Lodge accommodation from R1 750 p.p. sharing (DB&B). Half-price for children under 9. You can go on a Himba tour (R630 p.p.); sundowner drive (R220 p.p.) and a crocodile trail (R220 p.p.). GPS: S17.00241 E13.24617
Contact: 00 264 81 620 6887; omarungalodge.com 3 Epupa Camp About 1 km upstream from Epupa Falls. There are six camping stands, each with private ablutions – R160 per adult; children under 12: R80 each. Nine safari tents: R1 650 p.p. sharing (DB&B). Himba tour: R530 p.p., sundowner drive R210 p.p., half-day rafting trip R530 p.p. Meals are available on request. GPS: S16.99964 E13.25373 Contact: 00 264 61 237 294
(bookings); epupa.com.na 4 Kapika Waterfall Camp Kapika’s 10 chalets have great river and waterfall views. A double room costs R2 400 per night (B&B). Children under 12 get discount. They offer a discount to South Africans and Namibians during the low season, until the end of June. Himba tour R590 p.p., river rafting R480 p.p., sunset drive R220 p.p. GPS: S17.00278 E13.25266
Contact: 00 264 65 685 111 (Felix); kapika.epupa@gmail.com;
kapikafalls.com 5 Kunene River Lodge On the Kunene River, 50 km west of Ruacana. Most of the 12 stands here are under leadwood or jackal-berry trees, with views of the river. The stands have braai facilities, power and communal ablution facilities. There are also lodge rooms and A-frame chalets. The lodge has a restaurant and a swimming pool.
Camping R160 p.p. Lodge rooms (with aircon) from R950 p.p. sharing (B&B). A-frame huts (with ceiling fans) from R720 p.p. sharing (B&B). (Rates will go up in June.) Discounts for children under 12.
Dine at the lodge, go on a river cruise (R330 p.p.) or hire a fishing rod to try and catch a tiger fish (R135 per day). Birdwatching R330 per person. Birdwatchers can look forward to nearly 300 species. Some are very rare, like the Cinderella waxbill. This is the only spot in southern Africa where you can see it.
Visit the nearby Dorsland Monument at Swartbooisdrift or drive to the Ruacana Falls upstream. If you’d like to know more about Himba culture, a tour costs R330 p.p. GPS: S17.35439 E13.88129
Contact: 00 264 61 224 712 (bookings); 00 264 65 685 016 (lodge); kuneneriverlodge.com 6 Mavinga Lodge & Campsite The lodge is 37 km east of Swartbooisdrift on the D3700. They were busy building during our visit, but the construction site noise is far away and will not bother guests. The campsites are on the water’s edge (R100 p.p. sharing) with lawns, an awning and a braai. Rooms from R650 p.p. sharing. GPS: S17.43327 E14.12456 Contact: 00 264 81 128 6890; mavingalodge.com 7 Kunene Islands Camp On the D3700, 40 km east of Swartbooisdrift. The facilities are old but well maintained. Campsites are on the river, with fenced areas to keep out the crocs (R100 p.p. sharing). Two croc-safe safari tents are pitched high on a riverbank: R250 per night for two people (bring your own bedding). GPS: S17.42951 E14.15333 Contact: 00 264 81 129 3931 (Derek); unicorn@iway.na 8 Omunjandi Rest Camp Also on the D3700, 41 km east of Swartbooisdrift. The five stands are in the shade of jackal-berry trees (called “omunjandi” by the Herero). This is Crocodile HQ, so no swimming in the river, but they do have a pool to cool off in. Camping R100 p.p. sharing; 50 % discount for kids aged 7 – 12; free for younger kids. GPS: S17.42270 E14.15582
Contact: 00 264 81 358 5865; omunjandirestcamp.com 9 Ruacana Eha Lodge The campsite has stands on grass, with power and braai spots: R124 p.p. (max four people per stand). Cabin (two single beds) R250 p.p. Double room R1 100 per night (breakfast included). Discount for children under 12. There is also a swimming pool and a restaurant. GPS: S17.43724 E14.35863
Contact: 00 264 65 271 500; www.ruacanaehalodge.com.na