Villa Mushara: Our full report
The most luxurious property on the Mushara Reserve, Villa Mushara also features the greatest level of privacy.
Just 8km east of Etosha National Park, it shares a main area with the smart Mushara Lodge, just a short walk away. For trips into Etosha National Park, either under your own steam or on a guided excursion, it’s both comfortable and very convenient.Accessed down a small path to one side of Mushara Lodge, Villa Mushara features two luxury villas, each with a huge 140m² of air-conditioned space, and big picture windows to bring the views inside.
In the beautifully designed lounge area of each villa you'll find comfy sofas, a fireplace and a writing desk, with tea and coffee on hand alongside sherry and port. Pride of place in the bedroom goes to a huge four-poster king-size bed copiously draped in mosquito netting, while the big en-suite bathroom has a free-standing bath, enormous indoor shower/wet room, separate toilet and a secluded and refreshing outdoor shower.
The décor throughout follows the same stylish lines as at the main lodge. Crisp white linen and white-washed walls are given life by a carefully selected collection of African artefacts and artwork. Candelabras and chandeliers add even more style.
Outside, a short path leads to an open-air daybed, which overlooks a small waterhole and a private plunge pool. While we haven't had the chance to stay in one of the villas, we are told the waterholes serve as a watering point for many of the Mushara Reserve's wild residents, including warthog, bushbuck, duiker and more, and we can imagine that sitting on the veranda watching the comings and goings would be an exceedingly pleasant way to while away an hour or two.
The Villa's main area is shared with Mushara Lodge, just a few metres away. This attractive set up incorporates a curio shop, lounge, bar, restaurant, and a larger swimming pool – ideal for those who'd like to fit in a few lengths. Yet as wonderful as the main lodge is, with so much space at the villa and the option of private dining on their own veranda, guests would certainly be forgiven for staying in the villa throughout their stay. Special preparations are often made for honeymooners and those celebrating other occasions.
As at the other Mushara properties, morning and afternoon guided game drives in Etosha National Park are offered from Villa Mushara. In most cases, we'd recommend staying here on a full board and activities basis so these activities would be included. However, as the property is outside the park, and no activities take place on the Mushara Reserve, guided game drives from the reserve are subject to the same park rules as self-drivers: the park is closed from sunset to sunrise, and no offroad driving or walking is allowed. This is a little more restrictive than staying somewhere that conducts activities on a private reserve, but perhaps in acknowledgment of that, we have always felt that Villa Mushara offers fantastic value for money considering the quality of the accommodation.
Although most guests here arrive in their own vehicle, so can easily drive themselves into the park – and Mushara is an exceptionally convenient location to do this – a local guide can often enhance the game-viewing experience and as activities are usually included, we consider that this is a better option.
Our view
Villa Mushara is a great choice for those looking for luxury, indulgence and lots of their own space. It's a very convenient base for game drives into Etosha National Park – although it would be easy to be distracted from long game drives by the idea of time spent relaxing at the villa. Keen safari enthusiasts, however, may feel that they just don't need this level of space when they're going to spend much of the day in the park!
Namibia expert
Geographics
- Location
- Etosha National Park, Namibia
- Ideal length of stay
- 2 nights
- Directions
- Villa Mushara is located adjacent to Mushara Lodge on the Mushara Reserve, just a few kilometres from the eastern gate of Etosha. It is well signposted from the gate.
The Mushara Reserve has its own airstrip, but it is also possible to fly to the airstrip at nearby Mokuti and be transferred to the lodge. - Accessible by
- Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Half Board
- Food quality
- While we have not stayed at Villa Mushara, it shares a kitchen and has the same menu as Mushara Lodge, which we visited in April 2024.
In line with the timings below, meals at Villa Mushara can be served in your villa or on your private veranda.
A buffet breakfast, served in the restaurant (6.00–9.00am), includes the usual bread, toast, fruit, yoghurt and juice, as well as tea and coffee and a cooked breakfast to order. On our last visit, in May 2022, we had a simple breakfast of fruit salad with yoghurt and granola, tea and some toast.
A light lunch menu is available between midday and 2.00pm and includes options such as toasted sandwiches, burgers, pasta and salads.
Dinner, from 7.30pm, is an appetising three-course set menu, which in warmer weather is usually served on the patio. On one stay at Mushara, Lodge we started with spinach gnocchi with tomato sauce and parmesan water, followed by the main course grilled impala kebab with fig sauce, parsley potatoes and vegetables. The meal was finished off with a chocolate mousse with berry sauce.
Additionally, snacks such as crisps and nuts are available from the minibar.
With advanced notice Villa Mushara can cater for most dietary requirements. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Guests staying at Villa Mushara can choose to have meals at Mushara Lodge, or in their villa. Special arrangements can be made for those celebrating special occasions.
- Drinks included
- House wines, local beers and soft drinks are included. The tap water is deemed safe to drink but travellers may prefer to stick to bottled water.
Special interests
- Honeymoons
- The peace, quiet and isolation of the two villas at Villa Mushara allow honeymooners to take some time to themselves. Tailored touches, such as flowers, champagne or private candlelit dinners will make for a special stay on your Namibian honeymoon.
- See ideas for Honeymoons in Namibia
- Private villas & houses
- The private villas at Villa Mushara promise luxury and opulence very close to Etosha. The lounge, bathroom and your private terrace are all spacious and stylish. Enjoy your own pool and private meals on request.
- See ideas for Private villas & houses in Namibia
- Luxury
- Villa Mushara consists of two large villas whose opulent rooms are decorated with candelabras and chandeliers. Each villa has an open-air daybed/sala with views of a private waterhole: a great place to relax during a luxurious safari in Namibia
- See ideas for Luxury in Namibia
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children aged 12 and over are welcome at Villa Mushara.
- Property’s age restrictions
- No children under 12
- Special activities & services
- None
- Equipment
- None
- Generally recommended for children
- Villa Mushara has a luxurious feel and would not be well-suited for children of any age; there is little to keep them entertained here and the plunge pools are unfenced. There are several better options for familes in the Mushara collection, including the Mushara Lodge family house and Mushara Bush Camp.
- Notes
- Children should be under parental supervision at all times.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Villa Mushara
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Villa Mushara 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
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
50% success
0% 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.
- Communications
- There is good cellphone reception in the rooms, as well as a telephone.
There is WiFi in the villas and Mushara Lodge’s main area. - TV & radio
- None
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- All rooms have hot and cold running water and flush toilets.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The nearest doctor is in Tsumeb, about an hour's drive away.
- Dangerous animals
- Moderate Risk
- Security measures
- The gate is locked from 8.00pm.
- Fire safety
- There is a fire extinguisher in all rooms.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Full Laundry Service - Extra Charge
- Money
- There are safes in the villas, for which keys are kept at reception.
- Accepted payment on location
- Cash payments may be made in Namibian dollars and South African rand. Visa and Mastercard are accepted for card payments.
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.
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.
Safari House
The private Safari House on the Etosha Heights reserve is a great option families or friends travelling together.
Onkoshi Camp
Onkoshi Camp is owned and run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. Built on elevated wooden platforms it overlooks Etosha Pan.
