Malansrus Tented Camp: Our full report
Located 28km from Twyfelfontein in Namibia’s Damaraland, the simple Malansrus Tented Camp opened in May 2018.
Set on the banks of the ephemeral Aba Huab River, the camp offers dramatic scenery, easy access to Namibia's most famous rock art and a convenient base to seek out the area’s desert-adapted elephants.Like its sister properties, Ozondjou Trails and Desert Hills Glamping Camp, Malansrus is owned and run by an operator we have known for many years and offers simple but comfortable accommodation. However, it is worth noting that it is often used as a base for the company’s small-group trips, which have historically formed the core of their business. While we think it works well for independent travellers, you may find yourself in camp with groups of up to about 12 people travelling together.
Malansrus has just nine en-suite twin tents. Built under the shade of mopane trees and well separated for privacy, each is furnished with twin beds, bedside tables with lamps, a small desk and a couple of leather chairs. Large photographs of Namibian landscapes hung above the beds brighten the muted, sandy décor. One of the tents, classed as a family tent, has an extra single bed for a child. To the back of the tent, the bathrooms have a toilet and storage area on one side, with the shower and his and hers basins on the other.
Outside, every tent has its own terrace with chairs, shaded by an extension of the canvas canopy and the surrounding mopane trees. This is a great spot to enjoy the sunset or relax with a book.
The camp’s focal point is an almost circular main tent, an open-plan space whose lounge area – complete with squashy beanbags – doubles as the camp’s reception. Meals are usually taken in the dining area, where you can also help yourself to drinks from the camp’s fridges, but we understand that dinner is occasionally served outside under the stars, where a large firepit is surrounded by chairs.
When we visited Malansrus in April 2019 we only stayed for one night so didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy the camp’s guided activities. We understand that these generally focus on drives along the area’s ephemeral rivers in search of desert-adapted elephants, trips to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein, and sundowner drives. There are also a number of guided walking routes from the camp into the surrounding hills.
Alternatively, the camp would make a good base for those looking to explore on their own, perhaps also taking in a visit to the Petrified Forest or one of the Damara “living museums”.
Our view
Whilst Malansrus Tented Camp is neither the closest camp to Twyfelfontein nor the most luxurious in the area, it is a great option for independent travellers who want to explore Damaraland, either on their own or with the camp’s resident guides.
Namibia expert
Geographics
- Location
- Damaraland, Namibia
- Ideal length of stay
- 2 nights
- Directions
- Malansrus Tented Camp is 28km east of Twyfelfontein by road.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board
- Food quality
- When we stayed in April 2019 we were impressed by the quality of the food at Malansrus. We understand that flexible mealtimes are available for families with young children and that the camp can assist with most dietary requests so long as they are given sufficient notice.
Days here begin with a typical Namibia safari breakfast of cold meats and cheeses, a selection of cereals, fresh fruit and bread, along with tea, coffee and juice. Hot dishes such as eggs, bacon, toast, etc are cooked to order by the kitchen.
We didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy lunch here but we would expect to see light options such as salads, sandwiches and/or lasagne.
Our dinner was a three-course meal which started with butternut soup and a fresh rosemary-bread roll. As a main, we were served grilled lemon chicken with basmati rice, seasonal vegetables, green salad and a herb sauce. The meal was rounded off with a rich chocolate mousse served with Amarula, a great way to end the day.
Breakfast and picnic packs are available on request. - Dining style
- Mixture of group dining and individual tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- None
- Drinks included
- Local and house drinks are included on a full-board basis with premium drinks such as champagne and whisky available at extra charge.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are welcome here.
- Property’s age restrictions
- Malansrus doesn’t have any age restrictions.
- Special activities & services
- The camp doesn’t offer any specific child-focused activities.
- Equipment
- None
- Generally recommended for children
- While the camp has a relaxed atmosphere and has no age restrictions there isn’t a lot to keep younger children entertained so we would suggest it for children aged eight and over.
- Notes
- There is always the potential for desert elephants to walk through camp so children should be supervised at all times.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Malansrus Camp
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Malansrus Tented Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
83% success
57% success
33% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is a back-up generator in case the solar system should fail.
- Communications
- There is WiFi in the main area.
- TV & radio
- None
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- The en-suite bathrooms have hot and cold running water and flush toilets.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The closest hospital is in Outjo, about a 2½hr drive from camp. In case of emergency, guests can be flown to Windhoek. For more minor treatment, the guides and managers are trained in first aid.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- Security personnel patrol the camp day and night.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in both the tents and the main area.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry services weren’t available on our visit in 2019 but were planned for the future.
- Money
- Each tent has a small electronic safe for valuables.
- Accepted payment on location
- Card payments may be made using Visa or Mastercard, while cash is accepted in Namibian dollars and South African rand.
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
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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.
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
Damara Mopane Lodge
Damara Mopane Lodge is a large 60 room lodge surrounded by beautiful gardens. It can be used as a comfortable stopover between Etosha and the Skeleton Coast
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.
