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'Etjo' means a place of refuge. Since 1975 Mount Etjo Safari Lodge has been the heart of the Okonjati wildlife sanctuary, offering African wildlife and guests from around the world more than just a place to stay, but a safe haven, tranquil surroundings and the opportunity to engage in the pristine beauty of African wilderness. At Mount Etjo Safari Lodge, the African traveller will leave with his heart and mind enriched and his soul set at ease by having found peace and harmony in the African natural world.
The vibrant bird life at the Lodge is testimony to the beautiful gardens at the Lodge. Enormous palm trees, endless grass fields and a flamingo pond invite you to take a walk and a look around. The Lodge is built to face a large lake where animals regularly quench their thirst and hippos come to visit. Further in the distance lingers the magnificent Mount Etjo mountain, completing the picturesque scenery.
The unique architecture of our rooms, furnished and beautifully decorated in a splendid combination of luxury and African style will contribute to the exceptional experience of staying at Mount Etjo Safari Lodge. The Lodge is furnished with 22 luxury rooms, each with en-suite bathroom. Most of the rooms are situated next to the swimming pool which overlooks the watering hole where numerous animals come to drink during the day and night, while others overlook the spacious garden where the flamingos frolic. Various types of accommodation is available to suit the personal needs of young and old. The Lodge is fully wheelchair-friendly.
Two twin beds, suitable for accommodating families with children. Equipped with a tea/coffee station. Jacuzzi & shower - swimming pool and waterhole view.
Our Standard Rooms are furnished with two single beds, a coffee/tea station and bathroom with shower.
Two twin beds furnished to accommodate the needs for our guests in wheel-chairs. Handle-bars in the bathroom and lower-set washing basins.
Perfect accommodation for a honey-moon or for a special getaway. Spacious room fitted with a large lounge, an exquisite bedroom with a king size bed.
180 degree view of the lake. The Villa is the pearl of Mount Etjo Safari Lodge. The Villa offers privacy, exclusivity and luxury, with a private swimming pool and garden, a Jacuzzi, a mini-bar, DSTV, a large lounge with a fire-place, two king-size beds.
This Suite is furnished with two twin beds, a shower and bath tub and a large lounge with a fire place. The Suite overlooks a pond in the garden where the flamingos frolic.
These rooms are furnished with one king-size bed and/or a shower and bathtub. All the king rooms face the flamingo pond in the garden.
Property Facilities
Bar, Malaria Free, Pool, Restaurant
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television, Verandah
Activities on Site
Big 5, Game Drives
Lion Feed
An exciting opportunity to watch these magnificent big cats from up close!
Viewing lions eating from a permanent blind structure after dinner is the perfect way to end the day at Mount Etjo. Opportunity does exsist to see lions during the day-time, depending on lion sightings in that time period.
Several prides of lions reside on the 3 000 hectar area, most of them already born here. The first lions were introduced in the 1980s.
- Children under the age of 4 are welcome to participate free of charge
- After dinner, 21h15-22h00
The Game Drives provide a unique opportunity to observe, encounter and admire the great variety of species that roam the Okonjati Game Reserve. Nowhere else in Namibia will you see such a diversity of animals, ranging from birds to the rare Roan and Sable Antelope, Elephants, White and Black Rhino, Giraffes, Zebras and many many more.The Game Drive is enjoyable for all age groups and can be booked on site.
- Children below 4 years are free of charge.
Times
- 07h00 - 10h00 & 16h00 - 19h00
Saurichnium Damarense at Mount Etjo - German archeologists Dr Huene in 1925 and Dr Gürich in 1926 were the first to discover and describe the footprints found in the Etjo sandstone. Gürich distinguished 4 types: Saurichnium damarense, Saurichnium parallelum, Saurichnium anserinum and Saurichnium tetractis. At the Mount Etjo slope, up to three different footprints can be found. The most prominent and easily distinguishable footprint is that of Saurichnium damarense, the smaller footprints are thought to perhaps be those of juvenile Saurichnium damarense. Unfortunately not enough evidence is available to further classify these footprints. These are believed to be remnants of the Triassic (Stormberg) age and around 230 Million years old.
The necessary condition for dinosaur footprints to survive for 100 million years is that the impression has to be made in soft clay (along a lake, coastline or riverbed), and then baked dry by the sun. Assuming the footprints are "well-done" enough, they can then persist even after being buried under successive layers of sediment. What this means is that dinosaur footprints aren’t necessarily found only on the surface, they can be recovered from deep beneath the ground, just like ordinary fossils.
At the Mount Etjo footprints you will notice that these layers of sediment have weathered off over the years along the mountain range, revealing the dinosaur footprints that lay hidden and protected beneath. Take note of the different layers of red clay – they carry the same red color of the soil typically found in Namibia today.
The Dinosaur Walk
The footprints are about 3 km away from the Camp Dinosaur camping sites at Mount Etjo Safari Lodge. Follow the signs while admiring the magnificent scenery from the top of the hill.
The trail is about 1.5 km (about 30 minute walk)
- Guided Walk: N$ 300.00 per person T&C's apply
- Unaccompanied Walk: free of charge
Baffalo Footprints
In the Okonjati Pass fossilized Baffalo Footprints can be found.
Seemingly much alike the dinosaur footprints, footprints at the foothills of the Okonjati mountains, much resembling buffalo tracks of today, can be found. The tracks are embedded in in a type of limestone, which is thought to be several Million years old, a time during which no mammals existed. Many scientists have visited the site and suggested various theories to explain the source of the prints. Nonetheless, there must have been a reason why the old native Hereros gave Okonjati it's name, meaning: "Place of the Buffalo".
Ironically the majestic buffalo is the only animal which cannot be found at Okonjati Game Reserve today - Buffalo carry foot and mouth disease which may be easily spread to cattle in the area.
On the private Game Drive your guide will make sure that you get an African experience not to be forgotten..
The drive will give you time to fully appreciate and experience Okonjati Wildlife Sanctuary.
The duration of the drive is half a day and can be extended by adding a picknick in the bush.
(THE PICKNICK MUST BE BOOKED AT LEAST 2 DAYS IN ADVANCE).
Rates
- N$ 2750.00 for max 5 people
- N$ 6050.00 for max 11 people
- N$1000.00 plus N$300.00 per person for the picnic
T&C's apply
Times
- We suggest the Private Game Drive take place in the morning - duration is about 3 hours
- This activity is subject to availability of a guide and must be booked in advance
Rhino Tracking
Join our experienced guides on an adventure on foot, following fresh rhino tracks and observing these majestic animals in their natural habitat. On the way you will learn much about tracking and to appreciate the beauty of Mount Etjo's Surroundings.
Rates:
- N$ 1540.00 per person, maximum of 3 people per guide.
- TImes: we recommend early morning hours. Duration about 3 hours.
- This activity is suitable only for adults and subject to availability.
T&C's apply
For keen photographers of all levels, our professional wildlife photographer will provide you with stunning settings and ample photographic opportunities, sharing his passion and knowledge of wildlife and photography along the way. While absorbing the beauty of nature and with his expert technical advice, you will have the opportunity to photograph a big variety of animals, from the tallest giraffe to the smallest birds, lions, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, plenty of other wildlife species, such a roan and sable antelope, zebra.
Wildlife is unpredictable, the opportunities and situations change accordingly and techniques such as panning, fast exposures, shooting in low light, slow exposure shooting, mastering birds in flight, creative use of depth of field and creative compositions will be covered accordingly. Every photo tells a story – your story.
Guests will be expected to have their own gear and bring their own laptop, loaded with lightroom or photoshop to benefit from the workshop. A concise understanding of functions and settings on the camera equipment will be of an advantage, but can also be assisted with during the guided tour.
Option 1
Our ground level hide is based at a waterhole, where guests can sit quietly and photograph wildlife from ground level, from up-close angles, resulting in unique and exceptional quality photography opportunities. The Photographic hide seats three people and is a structure built to maximise the photographic potential of animal and birds that visit. The hide can be used to view wildlife in the normal manner but has been positioned with consideration of the angle of the sun, the background and the angle the viewer occupies in relation to the animals and birds. When available, a professional wildlife photographer will accompany participants to the hide. Guests may use the hides for normal game viewing purposes as well as for photography. It must however be noted that regardless of their preference, guests will always be accompanied by a guide and it has to be pre-booked when checking in.
Morning session from before sunrise until noon. The price includes a breakfast pack, coffee and tea and beverages.
Afternoon session, early afternoon until after sunset. The price includes snacks and a sundowner.
N$ 800.00 per person per session (in addition to normal game drive rates).
We offer
Personal experience wildlife photography guide, subject to availability. The guide has to be booked in advance, due to a high demand of his services.
Cars equipped with special camera mounts/tripods
Specially designed photography hides, providing the opportunity to photograph from unique angles and close proximity.
T&C's apply
THIS ACTIVITY IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE, WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.