Damara Mopane Lodge: Our full report
Situated almost halfway between Etosha National Park and the Skeleton Coast, Damara Mopane Lodge aims to ...
... deliver a comfortable rest stop in Damaraland. Although it resembles a local village in style, it feels more like a hotel.We’ve never stayed at Damara Mopane, but we popped in for a visit and a cup of coffee in October 2018, and while we would never think of it as anything other than a hotel, it is certainly unique.
Each of its 60 chalets, connected by a labyrinth of paths, is neatly furnished, with AC, mosquito nets and an en-suite bathroom, and each has its own covered veranda. But then comes the surprise: each also has its own walled vegetable, herb and fruit garden, watered by the lodge’s filtered waste water and providing produce for the kitchen – adding a real feeling of individuality to the whole lodge.
The chalets are set in a large semi-circle around manicured green lawns and a big swimming pool, which attract plentiful birdlife. A characterful wooden bar overlooks the swimming pool from the extensive main area, where you’ll also find a large and somewhat utilitarian restaurant, and a reception with a well-stocked curio shop.
Our view
Although not well located for Damaraland’s best-known sights and activities, Damara Mopane Lodge is a very comfortable, friendly and characterful spot. Spending a night here is an ideal way to break up the long and bumpy drive between Etosha and the coast.
Namibia expert
Geographics
- Location
- Damaraland, Namibia
- Ideal length of stay
- one or two nights
- Directions
- Damara Mopane Lodge is situated 25kms east from Khorixas, just off the C39.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Bed & Breakfast
- Dining style
- Mixture of group dining and individual tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service is not offered here.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children are welcome at Damara Mopane Lodge.
- Property’s age restrictions
- There are no age restrictions here.
- Special activities & services
- No special activities offered for children
- Notes
- Children must be under parental supervision at all times.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- Generator and mains electricity
- Water supply
- Mains
- Water supply notes
- Mains water supply for drinking and general use and borehole for watering the gardens and for pool use.
Sustainability
Making ‘honest’ food with home-grown ingredients
Damara Mopane Lodge is positioned 20 km east of the town Khorixas and is nestled within the heart of the Damaraland. Ever since opening its doors in 2010, it has been operating following the principles of sustainability. Continuous efforts in becoming self-sufficient can be seen in the lodge’s initiative to engage both staff and visitors in producing its organic, home-grown products.
The innovative vegetable patches in each of the 55 bungalows supply fresh sun-drenched vegetables such as spinach and beetroot to the entire lodge. Apart from demonstrating self-sufficiency, the project reduces the lodges’ carbon footprint, achieved through minimal outsourcing and reduced food miles. Guests are also encouraged to embrace their role within the sustainable process as they watch the staff hand pick the vegetables from the chalets’ gardens in the evening before they are sent to the kitchens to be freshly prepared. Moreover, the verandas and vegetable patches create ideal spaces for the guests to observe the surrounding Mopane trees, and learn more about the native species, making each individual stay just that bit closer to the nature of Damaraland.
The lodge truly demonstrates its well-deserved Namibia Eco Award of four desert flowers, the award which the lodge voluntary participated within in 2015.
See more great sustainability projects in Namibia
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- the nearest doctor is in Khorixas
- Dangerous animals
- Moderate Risk
- Security measures
- Gate is manned by a guard throughout the day and the gate is locked after dark.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers around the main area and one near each room.
Activities
4WD Safari
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Self-guided walking
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Full Laundry Service - Extra Charge
- Money
- Yes each room has a safe
- Accepted payment on location
- Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted
Other lodges in Damaraland
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Doro Nawas
Comfortable rooms and a convenient location make the community run Doro Nawas a great base for exploring Damaraland.
Mowani Mountain Camp
Mowani is a beautiful and stylish mountain retreat in southern Damaraland; it makes a great base for visits toTwyfelfontein.
Damaraland Camp
Setting the standard for community partnerships, Damaraland Camp offers a beautiful location, a range of activities – and a genuine welcome.
Camp Kipwe
With unusual, igloo-like rooms, open-air bathrooms and beautiful scenery, Camp Kipwe is well placed for nature and cultural excursions.
Desert Rhino Camp
Desert Rhino Camp offers a rare opportunity to track black rhino on foot in one of the last true wilderness areas – an amazing experience.
Etendeka Camp
Etendeka is an owner-run camp in the remote and less visited north of Damaraland. The camp is renowned for it's spectacular guided walking trails.
Grootberg Lodge
On the edge of an ancient plateau Grootberg Lodge has a stunning location and arguably the best views of any lodge in Namibia.
Twyfelfontein C'try Lod.
A large lodge set among the rocks, Twyfelfontein Country Lodge is a convenient base for visiting the rock engravings, which are only 4km away.
Spitzkoppen Lodge
Spitzkoppen Lodge provides stylish accommodation in an area of scenic grandeur with guided access to sites of ancient Bushman rock art.
Palmwag Lodge
Palmwag Lodge has a great location by a spring in the Uniab River and offers access to an area where you can see a variety of desert-dwelling animals.
Huab Lodge
Huab is a classic little Namibian Lodge which is slightly off the beaten track in a lesser visited part of Damaraland.
Brandberg White Lady
Brandberg White Lady Lodge, nestled at the foot of its namesake, makes a good base from which to visit bushman rock paintings including the 'White Lady'.
Vingerklip Lodge
Vingerklip Lodge occupies a lovely location, but is a little too far east for guests to visit Damaraland's main attractions.
Khowarib Lodge
Khowarib Lodge has a great location overlooking the Hoanib River. This is one of the few places to offer authentic Himba village visits.
Etendeka Walking Trail
The Etendeka Walking Trail promises to offer a back-to-basics walking and camping experience in one of Namibia's most remote and untouched wilderness areas.
Malansrus Camp
Within easy reach of Twyfelfontein, Malansrus offers a simple but comfortable base for visits to the rock engravings or seek out desert-adapted elephants.
Onduli Ridge
Onduli Ridge is a luxurious, low-impact luxury camp offering top-notch guiding in a remote wilderness area of Damaraland.
Ugab Terrace Lodge
Ugab Terrace Lodge is a comfortable stopover between Damaraland and Etosha National Park or Namibia’s Central Highlands.
Ozondjou Trails
The simple Ozondjou Trails gives a unique perspective on living with Damaraland’s desert-adapted elephants and how tourism is key to protecting them and the livelihood of the people.
Palmwag Sleep-out
Palmwag Sleep-out is a simple camping experience and a great way to enjoy the remote beauty of the vast Palmwag Concession
Camp Doros
Small, intimate and with excellent eco-credentials, Camp Doros is set above an ephemeral river within a remote community concession of Damaraland.
Sorris Sorris Lodge
Overlooking the Brandberg Massif, Sorris Sorris is probably the most luxurious lodge in southern Damaraland.
