*Carnival of the animals, action with the bushmen & haunting beauty of the desert

Every afternoon we have a guided tour in an open top 4×4 vehicle through the extensive grounds of Onjala. On the 1,700 hectare farm, you are likely to see giraffes, zebra, various antelopes, ostriches and warthogs. With luck you could even spot a well-camouflaged leopard.

In winter (April to August), we depart at 4:00 pm, in summer (September to March) at 5:00 pm. The departure point is at the car park, and the excursion takes 2 to 3 hours. By request, we can head off to a stunning sundowner spot, where you can relax with a drink of your choice, and enjoy a breathtaking view of the sun setting over the Namibian landscape.

Reservations for a game drive should be done timorously, as the available seats on the vehicle are limited to 12 persons. Please pack sunscreen, a thick jacket, and possibly a raincoat if any clouds are in sight.

The best way to enjoy the untouched nature of Onjala is by exploring it on foot at your leisure. You can hike anywhere on Onjala, as long and as far as you wish. The boundaries of the area are marked by a fence. For your safety please remain within the fence. To make it easier for you, we have created a variety of routes. With the help of our map you can compile your own route, and turn this beautiful experience into an individual one. The routes are marked with letters and numbers at the crossings, commensurate with the map. A free trail map is available at the front desk. You can, of course, also walk without using a map. We have a white, green and blue route. Just follow the appropriate color dots on the trail markers. The white route is round about 6 km long, the green 6 km and the blue route 14 km.

All trails start in front of the restaurant. There are signpost indicating the start of the trails. The trails run along both farm tracks and game paths, so please watch where you step, as there are plenty of smaller animals to be found on Onjala. Also please never climb over or cross the border fences. Getting lost here is almost impossible, as the lodge is clearly visible as a landmark from all areas of the farm. Walking here also affords you the opportunity of encountering wild animals up close. On the farm we have various antelope, baboons, ostriches, zebras, warthogs and giraffes, amongst others. They have enough space here and do not feel threatened, so you can generally approach them quite closely. However, please avoid any direct contact with the animals. This obviously includes scorpions and reptiles that may be hiding under rocks.

We recommend that you wear comfortable, ankle high shoes, a hat and sunglasses. Take sufficient drinking water with you. Additionally we encourage you to use some high protection sunscreen, as Namibia has a high UV index. For your own safety also please report to the front desk before you leave; and take your mobile phone with you. Most of the farm has mobile coverage, and in the event that you find yourself too tired to return, we can come and pick you up. Self-guided walking is free of charge.

To enjoy the unspoiled nature, several marked trails and a network of farm-roads allow you to explore the surroundings at leisure. With some luck and patience you might even see wildlife up-close. *Free of charge

Namibia is renowned for its clear and cloudless skies. Onjala has an extraordinary observatory.

Have you ever wondered of what the Milky Way consists and how it is formed? Why do stars sometimes twinkle or how far are the stars away from the earth? Then observe at Onjala under guidance double stars, star clusters and nebulae under the crystal clear sky of Africa with one of the world’s best telescopes – a ‘Zeiss refractor’.

Depending on the season, we show you the rings of the planet Saturn, the crescent shape of Venus or Jupiter with its banded clouds and its four major moons.
When the moon is seen in the evening sky you may watch the craters and mountains of the moon with an incredible clarity.

The event begins in the open. We show you how to find the directions, with the help of the constellation of the “Southern Cross”, on the southern hemisphere and how you then can be oriented in the night. We show you some of the typical constellations of the southern sky, and you’ll learn about distances in space. Finally, you get an insight into Greek mythology to the formation of the Milky Way compared to the mythology of the Namibian Bushmen. Followed by that you can then do some observation by the Onjala telescope inside the observatory dome.

Namibia’s highlands bustle with a colourful diversity of birdlife. On walks and at the lodge a variety of birds, such as the luminous crimson-breasted shrike or a majestic secretary bird can be observed. With some luck you could witness a Verreaux’s eagle-owl narrowing in on its prey or one of the
endangered Lapped-faced vultures circling the skies in search of its next meal.

Marvel at the rich vegetation with the possibility to encounter desert adapted elephants in the dry Aba-Huab River valley. Our experienced field guides will take you on an exciting nature drive, filled with interesting facts pertaining to the area, its history and wildlife. Be on the lookout to spot birds of prey, antelope, fairy circles, Welwitchia Mirabilis and many other interesting geological formations. Our guides have an excellent record for tracking down herds of free roaming desert adapted elephants and will do their best to meet up with these magnificent giants. Ample time is allowed to take pictures and exchange information about endemic fauna and flora.

The nature drive returns over valleys of savannah, small dunes and interesting geological formations. A stop at Welwitchia Hill allows guests to disembark the vehicle and enjoy a lovely sundowner in an unspoilt nature setting.

Guests are required to meet their guide at Reception 15 minutes prior to departure time for a meet and greet session. The guide will give a general introduction of the tour and highlight specific safety and environmental regulations that need to be adhered to.

Departure time:15h00
Included: Mineral water, soft drinks, beers.
Duration: 3 – 4 hours

Credit: cb

Credit: cb

Credit: cb

Credit: cb

Credit: cb

Credit: cb

A trip to the Rock engravings & paintings, The Burnt Mountain and The Organ Pipes accompanied by a resident guide. Many of the rock formations are the products of prehistoric volcanic action. Fascinating plants in the area include the Welwitschia Mirabilis, the Moringa and a variety of Commiphora species.

Rock engravings: The engravings have very few depictions of humans; by far the majority of the engravings at Twyfelfontein depict animals and their spoor. The rock engravings at Twyfelfontein revealed a deeper understanding of the world to the hunters and the gatherers that lived there in the past.

Organ Pipes: These masses of perpendicular dolerite pillars are located down the riverbed and formed by the intrusion of volcanic rock dolerite about 120 million years ago.

Burnt Mountain: Located a couple of kilometers from the Organ Pipes and visible from the road. The Karoo limestones which formed the mountain were deposited around 200 million years ago. About 120 million years ago, the same period the Organ Pipes were formed, volcanic lava intruded the limestones and metamorphism giving the mountain its distinctive colour.

Departure time: 08h00 (after breakfast)
Included:Mineral water & soft drinks
Duration:Approximately 3 hours

1. Traditional Life in the village:
Experience the daily routine in a traditional museum, including traditional blacksmith (making of weapons and tools), tanning of leather (production of traditional clothes), jewellery and crafts, dancing, singing and traditional games, Holy Fire and fire making and more.

2. Bushwalk:
Follow us on a bushwalk where the women collect plants from the bush for food, perfume and medicine and where the men show you how to set up traps, snares and how they used to hunt in the old times.

3. Traditional Life & Bushwalk:
Combines programs 1 & 2 for the complete traditional Damara experience.

Children policy
0 - 2 yrs free of charge
3 - 12 yrs half price

Guided morning and afternoon hiking trails are available. During these trails you can encounter fascinating plants in the area, including the Welwitschia mirabilis, the Moringa and a variety of Commiphora species.

Morning trails will start 30 minutes before sunrise. Afternoon trails start approximately 1 hour before sunset to allow guests time to get back to the Lodge before dark.The duration of the walk will be determined by the guide, considering the speed and capabilities of each guest.

A minimum 2 guests & maximum 10 guests per guide.

This is a drive to the Adam & Eve Rock to view engravings and a small bushman painting before continuing to the Real Adam & Eve painting. The story behind the paintings & engravings will be explained by the guide.

Departure time: Mornings only - Please enquire at reception for the departure time.
Included:Mineral water & soft drinks
Duration:Approximately 1.5 hours
Distance:20km & then a 10 minute walk to the site & again 10 minute walk to the parking
Elevation: 12 meters

This drive takes about 3 hours, through the scenically beautiful lodge property, with selected stops at sites to view and learn about bushman rock art. Ai Aiba Lodge is home to over 200 different bushmen rock art sites and our guides have been professionally trained to interpret these paintings to our guests.
The drive will also include a stop for refreshments and snacks. A must-see for anyone visiting the area. This drive can be done both in the morning or the afternoon.

Morning drive – departs at 07h30 (Summer and Winter). Breakfast served from 07h00.
Afternoon drive – departs 17h00 in Summer*, and 16h00 in Winter*.

Rates for activities available in documentation.

*Summer months = Jan, Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec.
*Winter months = Apr, May, Jun, Jul & Aug.

Walking the area surrounding the Lodge is highly encouraged and is an excellent way to experience the beauty of the Erongo Mountains. Our guides have been very well trained on the interesting Fauna and Flora of the area and are available to escort guests through the property.

?Guided Morning walks:
Breakfast is available in the restaurant from 07h00.
Your guide will take juice and snacks along for en-route. Please carry your own water.
Please ensure that you wear good walking shoes, and have adequate sun protection.

1)Ai Aiba Walk:
This walk is 2 – 3 hours in duration and can be of varying degrees of difficulty depending on your preference. It will include visits to certain rock art sites, and a focus on the smaller intricacies of nature.
Morning walk departs at 07h30 (Summer and Winter), from the restaurant.

2)Walk & Drive:
This activity starts from the lodge with a 10min drive to Moringa valley. From there guests hike to a number of different rock art sites, including some fantastic viewpoints along the way. Then another short drive (10-15min), followed by another hike through majestic landscape to view some more rock art sites and interesting rock formations. A short 20min drive will then take you back to the lodge. Total duration is approximately 3 hours.
Morning walk departs at 07h30 (Summer and Winter), from the restaurant.

3) Walk with visit to the San Living Museum:
This walk is approximately 3 hours. Our guides will walk with you to the San Living Museum, stopping at certain rock art sites en-route. Once at the Living Museum the bushman will take guests on a bushwalk, and then our guides will lead you back to the lodge again.
Morning walk departs at 07h30 (Summer and Winter), from the restaurant.

?Guided sundowner walk:
Very close to the lodge, you will be guided up a granite hill where you can relax and enjoy a cold
‘sundowner’ drink while watching the sun set over spectacular views of the Erongo Mountains.
Sundowner walk departs at 18h30 (Summer) and 17h30 (Winter), from the restaurant
Rate: Included in the rate (excluding drinks). Note that our guide will gladly take your drinks order and carry the drinks up to the sundowner spot for you.

Rates for activities available in documentation

*Summer months = Jan, Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec.
*Winter months = Apr, May, Jun, Jul & Aug.

Why walk when you can ride? A cycling adventure that mirrors the leisurely pace of our guided sundowner walk. You leave from the lodge late afternoon, on E-bikes and cycle along jeep tracks to a tranquil sundowner spot in the bush. Enjoy a ‘sundowner’ drink and snacks with panoramic views as the sun begins to set. Return to the lodge via a fun single track in the twilight. Trip can also be done in reverse – out on the single track and back on the jeep track; please discuss with your guide.

Rates for activities available in documentation

If you love mountain biking, you will love our trails. We have worked with expert trail builders to create a network of trails that let you discover this amazing landscape at your own speed. You can see the ancient Bushmen Rock Art Sites or spot some wildlife while riding on scenic trails.
Our trails are suitable for riders of all abilities, but we focus on making them fun, free-flowing and beautiful. There are many trails to choose from, but we have marked three routes with different lengths and difficulties, using jeep tracks or specially made single track trails. If you want more challenge and adventure, you can try some of the extensions that go to the granite outcrops of the property.
Our trails are well marked and maintained.
You can bring your own bike, rent one of our new Specialized Levo E-Bikes or join one of our guided E-Bike Tours.

•Guided Mountain Bike Tour, including E-Bike Rental:
Take a professional guide who knows the trails like the back of their hand and can show you the best spots to enjoy the scenery and the thrill. No need to worry about getting lost or missing out on anything, just follow your guide and have a blast on your e-bike!

Duration: Max. 4 hours
Minimum age requirement for the E-Bike Rental and Mountain bike trails is 8 years.
Children 8 and over: quoted adult rate

Rates for activities available in documentation

•Specialized Levo E-Bike Rental:
Don't worry if you don't have your own mountain bike. You can rent one of our awesome Specialized Levo E-Bikes. They are the best in the market for Mountain E-Bikes. You'll have a blast riding them for hours without any trouble.

Duration: Max. 4 hours. Please advise Reception of your plans and ensure that you have our number in your cellphone (+264 64-570330). Please also ensure you collect a map from Reception and take it with you or download our online map.

Minimum age requirement for the E-Bike Rental and Mountain bike trails is 8 years
Children 8 and over: quoted adult rate

Rates for activities available in documentation

Mountain Bike Routes:
Light Green Route: A lovely introduction to the trails on Ai Aiba. Generally easy-going, predominantly jeep track riding.

Dark Green Route: Although this is only 30km, this ride is not to be underestimated. There are a lot of new single tracks on this route and even though it is not very technical, it is slow going and requires constant concentration and effort.

Blue Route: This route is a bit shorter than the Dark Green Route but also allows you to ride some of the best single tracks on the farm.

Various tours are available, and can all be booked directly at the lodge. Times are flexible, and bookings can usually be made according to your requirement. Please ask at Reception for more information.

•Bushwalk – approx. 2hours. Learn about hunting, snaring, tracking, lighting fire and collecting bush food.
•Live in the village – approx. 2hours. Learn about singing and dancing, lighting a fire, making ropes and jewelry.
•Combination (Action day) – approx. 4hours. A combination of the bushwalk and the “live in the village” tour.

*Rates on request