Twyfelfontein Country Lodge

20°34’15.1"S 14°22’10.2"E

83% (55 reviews)

Full review Our view Geographics Food & drink Children Wildlife sightings Communications Health & safety Activities Extras

Twyfelfontein Country Lodge: Our full report

Just 4km from Namibia’s historic UNESCO World Heritage Twfelfontein rock engravings site is Twyfelfontein Country Lodge.

The lodge is nestled at the base of imposing red sandstone hills and looks out over sweeping views of gravel plains. Its design has taken inspiration from the colours and shapes in the local landscape, and in this way the lodge seems to blend in with the surroundings. Since our last visit in December 2015, the rooms have been given a ‘facelift’ and have been fitted with new bathrooms and soft furnishings so that they look brighter and more up to date.

Working in partenership with the local Uibasen Conservancy, a portion of what each guest pays goes towards local community ventures. This ensures that the local community benefits from tourism to the area and that they have an awareness and appreciation of their surrounding environment,

In front of Twyfelfontein Country Lodge there is a group of huge angular boulders that was once a Ceremonial Rock for ancient hunter-gatherer communities and makes a dramatic entrance. A narrow path squeezes between the large rocks and leads through to reception and the main area of the lodge. There are a number of rock engravings on these boulders that are worth exploring.

The main area is a large double story thatched building. On the ground floor is the reception, activity booking counter and curio shop. Up a short slope from here occupying the second floor are the dining room to one side and the bar to the other. Both have lovely views over the surrounding area. The dining room is completely enclosed in a mesh to prevent the birds and bats from entering and disrupting meal times!

Below the bar is a fair sized swimming pool, surrounded by vibrant green grass which is frequented by multicoloured rock agamas. At one end of the pool is a rock from which water cascades into the pool. Dotted around the pool are a few loungers, and towels are also provided.

The 56 standard rooms are set out in blocks of eight, with four rooms at the front and four at the back. Half the rooms therefore face the mountains and the other half face the open plains. There are four inter-leading rooms and four triple rooms, which can be used for families. The rooms are a little small but they are still comfortable. They are simply decorated with light grey walls, wooden furniture, and crisp white sheets, brightened with African print throws and pictures. Each room has a large mosquito net around the bed, a fan, and water and insect repellant are provided. All are also en-suite and the bathrooms have recently been renovated with new sinks, toilets and shower fixtures, as well as being completely retiled. The thatch and stone building materials keep the rooms fairly cool, and we understand that there are also plans to install air conditioning in time for the 2017 peak season. Outside each room has a small verandah with a couple of chairs to relax in.

Located further away from the main building, but with its own parking area, the slightly overbearing VIP suite looks more like a house than a suite. It has its own private plunge pool and bar, as well as two bathrooms, a kitchen (with a fridge and microwave) and a very spacious bedroom. Some of the boulders have been integrated into the room, which also has a television. Although this suite is extremely large and has several luxurious features, on our most recent visit in March 2017 we found it to be rather dated and dark, and somewhat lacking in character.

With its own activities desk, Twfelfontein Country lodge offers a variety of activities, including stargazing (subject to availability), and of course, the popular trips to see the rock art at Twfelfontein, Burnt Mountain, the petrified forest and the organ pipes, although if you are on a self-drive trip this can easily be done on your own. An ephemeral river drive is offered along the Huab and Aba rivers in search of desert adapted elephants. This activity only takes place in the afternoon and departs around 4pm.

Our view

Twyfelfontein Country Lodge is larger and less personal than other lodges in this area, but it is good value. Although it receives quite a few groups, it offers both good service and a warm and friendly welcome.

Richard Trillo

Namibia expert

Geographics

Location: Damaraland, Namibia
Ideal length of stay: A one night stay is ideal for visitors who are mostly interested in viewing the nearby rock engravings on their way to northern Damaraland or Etosha National Park. We recommend that visitors who wish to undertake a guided excursion in search of desert-adapted wildlife should plan to spend two nights at Twyfelfontein Country Lodge.
Directions: Situated only a few kilometers from Twyfelfontein rock engravings - a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Accessible by: Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Half Board
Food quality: The quality of food during our most recent visit was acceptable but not outstanding. When the lodge is busy (with more than 20 guests) meals are served buffet style and there is plenty of choice.

A full English and Continental breakfast buffet is served between 6.30 and 9am.

Lunch is a light a la carte menu, and a buffet is served for larger groups. Lunch packs can also be ordered at reception.

Dinner is served between 6.30pm and 9pm. We partook of the buffet that included soup for starters, a salad bar, a choice of several meats from the carvery, a selection of vegetables, rice and potatoes. There was also cold meats and cheeses, fruits and hot and cold desserts. When the lodge has less than 20 guests dinner is a four course set menu.
Dining style: Individual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service: No

Children

Attitude towards children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Property’s age restrictions: No age restrictions
Special activities & services: There are interleading rooms, ideal for families.
Equipment: Cots and highchairs can be provided on request.
Generally recommended for children: The lodge is recommended for children although there may not always be enough to keep them amused.
Notes: Children must be supervised at all times.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Twyfelfontein C'try Lod.

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Twyfelfontein Country Lodge 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.

Elephant

60% success

Giraffe

25% success

Oryx

25% success

Black Rhino

0% success

Brown Hyena

0% success

Cheetah

0% success

Leopard

0% success

Lion

0% success

Spotted Hyena

0% success

Wildebeest

0% success

Zebra

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge has a back-up generator in case of power cuts.
There are both European two pin and South African three round pin sockets in the rooms.
Communications: There is sporadic phone reception at the lodge and WiFi is available in the main area.
TV & radio: There is only TV in the VIP suite.
Water supply: Borehole

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: There is a basic first aid kit in reception. In emergencies, guests can be flown out. The nearest doctor is in Khorixas – 100kms away.
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Security measures: Security guards are on duty from 6pm.
Fire safety: There is one fire extinguisher for every four rooms.

Activities

4WD Safari
Cultural excursion

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: A laundry service is available but it costs extra.
Money: Change is possible for more major currencies. There is a safe in reception but not in the rooms.
Accepted payment on location: MasterCard, Visa and most European credit cards are accepted forms of payment at Twyfelfontein Lodge, and Namibian dollars and South African rand are accepted for cash payments.