Safari House: Our full report
Set within the wildlife-rich Etosha Heights Reserve, Safari House is a fully renovated traditional Namibian farmhouse.
The house is one of the few genuinely family-friendly safari properties in Namibia but would also work well for a small group looking for a bit of privacy and luxury.Although we have stayed on the Etosha Heights Reserve, the Safari House was not complete on our visit so we haven’t seen it yet. However, here is what we know:
Safari House shares the Etosha Heights reserve with the nearby Safarihoek Lodge and Mountain Lodge, however as the reserve covers over 600km² there is little chance of overcrowding even when all the properties are full.
With three en-suite air-conditioned bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, private chef and private vehicle/guide, Safari House is perfectly suited for families or a group of friends travelling together. For families with younger children, two of the rooms have an interleading door.
Above the kitchen, the main area consists of an indoor lounge and dining area which opens up to an outdoor deck and private swimming pool nestled within a manicured garden.
Activities here focus on morning and afternoon game drives within the reserve. (NB: due to the location of the property it isn’t currently possible to visit Etosha; it is simply too far.) On top of the usual game drives, night drives, bush walks and trips to the photographic hide (shared with Safarihoek) are also on offer. All activities are included in your stay and the private vehicle and guide allow highly tailored and flexible activities.
Our view
For a family or friends travelling together we would expect Safari House to be a fantastic option. The private chef and guide will allow for high levels of flexibility and exclusivity throughout a stay here. We have long known the team behind the lodge and would expect them to deliver very high standards.
Namibia expert
Geographics
- Location
- Etosha National Park, Namibia
- Directions
- Safari House is on the Etosha Heights Reserve, approximately 70km west of the Andersson Gate to Etosha.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- Safari House offers a private chef. The house should be informed about special dietary requirements prior to arrival. Based on the quality of the food elsewhere in the reserve we would expect great things here.
Special interests
- Family holidays
- Like the adjacent Safarihoek, Safari House offers discounted child rates up to the age of 18. However, staying in this fenced, exclusive-use, private house allows families more freedom, with flexible activities and mealtimes – perfect for a Namibia trip with the family.
- See ideas for Family holidays in Namibia
- Private villas & houses
- Safari House offers an exclusive stay on the impressive Etosha Heights Reserve for up to six people. Supplied with a chef and a private vehicle and guide for activities, guests staying here have the ultimate flexibility on a Namibian safari.
- See ideas for Private villas & houses in Namibia
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are welcome.
- Property’s age restrictions
- None
- Notes
- The house and garden is fully fenced.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Safari House
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Safari House 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.
100% success
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0% success
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Communications
- Power supply notes
- The house has a generator for back up.
There are charging facilities where guests can charge their batteries. - Communications
- There is a cellphone signal everywhere in the house as well as unlimited WiFi, which can be used for a donation of N$50 to the anti-poaching programme the reserve takes part in.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- All the en-suite bathrooms have hot and cold running water and flush toilets. Note, though, that water is heated by a solar geyser so isn’t endless, especially early in the morning.
Health & safety
- Medical care
- The managers and guides are trained in first aid. The nearest doctor is in Outjo. In a medical emergency, a traveller would be flown during daylight hours to Windhoek.
- Dangerous animals
- Moderate Risk
- Security measures
- The house is in a remote part of the Etosha Heights Reserve, which is fenced, and there are security guards at the gate. An air horn is provided in each chalet to attract attention in case of emergency.
- Fire safety
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry services are included.
Other lodges in Etosha National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Okaukuejo Camp
Set within Etosha National Park, Okaukuejo Resort is a large camp with a productive, floodlit waterhole.
Halali Camp
The smallest of Etosha's erstwhile restcamps, overlooking its own floodlit waterhole, Halali has a superb location near the centre of Etosha Pan.
Mushara Bush Camp
The family-friendly Mushara Bush Camp offers great value and is an excellent base from which to explore Etosha National Park.
Ongava Lodge
With fantastic views over a private reserve bordering Etosha, the smart Ongava Lodge offers driving and walking safaris on the reserve, and guided drives in Etosha.
Ongava Tented Camp
Set around a waterhole on a private reserve, the small Ongava Tented Camp combines understated comfort with activities that include walks and night drives.
Onguma Tented Camp
Onguma Tented Camp is a lovely, little tented camp which centres around an attractive waterhole a short drive from the Von Lindequist Gate to eastern Etosha.
Mushara Lodge
Close to the eastern entrance to Etosha, the comfortable Mushara Lodge is well-placed for exploring the park in your own vehicle or on a guided drive.
Dolomite Camp
Opened in 2011, Dolomite Camp allows visitors access to the far west side of Etosha National Park, which was previously off limits to most visitors.
Onguma Bush Camp
For great wildlife viewing without breaking the bank, the affordable and understated luxury of Onguma Bush Camp could be perfect.
Namutoni Camp
Centred on an old fort, the government run Namutoni Camp is located just inside Etosha National Park, close to Fisher's Pan.
Hobatere Lodge
To the west of Etosha National Park, on the edge of Damaraland, Hobatere Lodge offers good game-viewing on its own reserve.
Mushara Outpost
Intimate and luxurious, Mushara Outpost is well-placed on a private reserve to explore nearby Etosha National Park on your own or on a guided drive.
Safarihoek Lodge
At the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, Safarihoek Lodge offers comfortable accommodation and excellent game-viewing.
Onguma The Fort
The Fort is the jewel in the crown of the Onguma lodges, and arguably the whole of eastern Etosha.
Onguma Camp Kala
For a bird’s eye view across African bush, the stilted rooms at Onguma Camp Kala are truly special.
Onguma Forest Camp
From its woodland setting on the Onguma Reserve, Forest Camp is within easy striking distance of Namibia’s flagship national park.
Etosha Safari Lodge
A short drive from Etosha National Park's southern entrance, Etosha Safari Lodge is a convenient base from which to explore the park.
Taleni Etosha Village
Only 4km from Etosha's southern entrance, Taleni Etosha Village is an affordable base from which to explore the park.
Etosha Safari Camp
Funky, low-key and very original, Etosha Safari Camp is well placed for visiting Etosha National Park on a self-drive or guided safari.
Little Ongava
The beautifully located and luxurious Little Ongava is a stunning place to stay in order to explore Etosha National Park and the private Ongava Reserve.
Andersson's at Ongava
With game drives on both its private reserve and in Etosha, Andersson's at Ongava also offers access to the Ongava Research Centre.
Mountain Lodge
In the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, the family-friendly Mountain Lodge offers game drives and bush walks within an exclusive environment.
Mokuti Etosha Lodge
With 106 rooms, child-friendly Mokuti Etosha Lodge is more like a hotel than a lodge. Facilities to include a gym, spa, tennis courts and even a snake park.
Etosha Oberland Lodge
A short drive from Etosha National Park's southern entrance, Etosha Oberland Lodge is a very comfortable base from which to explore the park, with excellent food.
Vreugde Guest Farm
Vreugde Guest Farm is a delightful owner-run and working sheep farm where you can expect a warm welcome and charming hospitality.
Villa Mushara
Offering luxury on a peaceful private reserve close to Etosha, Villa Mushara is a great choice for honeymooners & those wishing to indulge themselves.
Etosha King Nehale
A short drive from the national park's northern entrance, Etosha King Nehale Lodge is an interesting and comfortable base from which to explore the park.
Onkoshi Camp
Onkoshi Camp is owned and run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. Built on elevated wooden platforms it overlooks Etosha Pan.
