Reviews of Vingerklip Lodge

"The grounds have a feel of "The House of Usher".
Small rooms but great view.
Swimmingpools not very well maintained. Parts of the facilities were closed.
Eagles Nest Restaurant was nice - great views and simple but very tasty food.
Restaurant on site was poor and the service non existent!
One night would have been more than enough.
Safe had no battery and despite our many complaints not repaired in three days." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia

"The lodge is set on a hill with lots of different levels. The gardens are lovely and it is a wonderful setting.

There is a waterhole that can be viewed from the rooms.
The buffet was fine for vegetarians." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia

"We used Vingerklip Lodge as a stopover, en route from Swakopmund to Etosha West. It is spectacularly located on the lower slopes of one of several Ugap terraces which jut vertically out of an otherwise flat plain. The lodge was well equipped and the service attentive. Our chalet overlooked one of the two waterholes (with baboon, giraffe, warthog, oryx and guinea fowl on view during our brief visit). It was quiet and comfortable. We had previously read of generator noise at night, but management had apparently responded to such comments, because the generator is now routinely switched off after 9pm (without disruption to essential lighting).

For dinner we had opted to dine in the Eagle's Nest restaurant, some 1000 feet above, upon the magnificent Ugap terrace prominence which towers over the lodge. The climb involved a 15 minute walk up a track, culminating in the ascent of several flights of an enclosed metal staircase, bolted on to the side of the sheer cliff (strangely invisible from any distance). Food and drink were transportable up a cable-trolley system on the other side of the narrow bluff. The views as the sun set, the guests quaffed and the chef barbecued were magnificent. There were, however, some empty tables: most guests had remained below to dine in the lodge's main restaurant. Perhaps they were put off by the climb (and return in the dark, down the lantern-lit path) or by the more restricted range of food (essentially barbecued kudu, springbok and beef, with soup starter, vegetable side-dishes and fruit salad, plus alcohol and other drinks). Nevertheless, even Anni, a vegetarian, thought we had made the right choice – at least for a once-off experience.

The next morning, before breakfast, we walked to the nearby Vingerclip Monument (clearly visible from the lodge and located on the same property of land). We reached this impressive granite pillar, climbed to its base and watched it turn from purple to a ruddy orange, as the sun rose from behind the Eastern escarpment. On the plain below, to the West, there appeared the giant shadow of the rocky finger, reaching at least one kilometre in length.

After breakfast we checked out and detoured some 5 kms south, in order to visit a farm advertised at the lodge. Here we were entertained by the farmer, Heinrich (who somehow evoked Crocodile Dundee – albeit young, wearing a baseball cap and toting a loaded cartridge-belt and gun). For N$ 175 per person he gave us a two hour excursion around his cattle farm (with its sideline hobby of thoroughbred horses). We had been expecting to walk, but instead he chose to drive us slowly in his farm truck, sjambok at the ready, to the main attraction – some old, but well-preserved bushmen's paintings located on the side of a rocky knoll. The paintings were discovered by his grandfather and authenticated and dated via an independent university study. He also showed us a collection of bushmen artifacts (including grain-grinding utensils) subsequently excavated nearby. We found the monotone but knowledgeable Heinrich to be a fount of local history, and we greatly enjoyed this unplanned detour." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 3n in South Africa

"We had planned to drive out for the day, but decided to walk to the Vingerklip have a leisurely lunch and chill out by the pool.

Lodges excellent, perhaps they could have a kettle in the room for that early morning cup of tea but all in all they had everything that one could need. Great views. Dinner at the Eagles Nest is to be recommended and well worth the climb" See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia

"This is a fantastic lodge and we loved our two night stay. The setting is lovely and the lodge itself one of the nicest that we have stayed in in Namibia. We have full praise for the friendly staff, lovely food and wonderful swimming pools. A great place to go for two or three nights and just enjoy the wonderful scenery and facilities.

We walked to the top of the escarpment early one morning and were welcomed with a tray of filter coffee for our effort! The chef was still up there as the night before the Eagles Nest restaurant was open for dinner. Another wonderful experience. We highly recommend this lodge." See all these reviews: 7n in Namibia

"A re-visit to Vingerklip after 14 years. Very much as we remember it, but changes include waterhole, new additional restaurant called Eagles nest, additional guided walks.

Staff very helpful and friendly.
A lot of people use this lodge for 1 night, but would benefit from 2 night stay to relax and see more wildlife at waterhole and on walks.
Food was good, particularly the game." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia

"Vingerklip lodge is well situated but somewhat dated. Good for one night." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana

"A very good place for a stop on the way from Swakopmund to Etosha.

We did not try the barbeque on top of the plateau and there were only a few of us left at dinner who did not do so." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia

"Again, only one night. Food was amazing, I had Springbok for the first time, very delicious.

Not much action at the water holes but we hiked to the top of the mesa where their restaurant was and that was very interesting." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana

"Wow! We loved Vingerklip. The views from the bungalows are outstanding. Even though there are coach parties, these are apparently being phased out and the lodge is thriving. One can easily escape the caoch parties as more hardy visitors can climb the staircase to the clifftop for the sunset and the barbecue supper.

A new bungalow has just been opened up at the top of the mountain for those who really want to get away from it all.

The short walk to the Vingerklip is a great introduction to walking in the bush." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 1n in South Africa