Okahirongo Elephant Lodge

After 4 nights at Okahirongo River Camp we moved to Elephant Lodge. A very different view from the room and communal areas, but again somewhere that makes you think there is no one else around most of the time. Friendly and helpful staff make sure that everything is good for you, and the recent refurbishment has created a magnificent place to stay. There are a number of scenic drives on offer. We went as far as the edge of the Skeleton Coast, searched for desert-adapted elephants, and generally explored the landscape and wildlife of the area. Very comfortable, good food, smiles - what more do you want? I would recommend a minimum of 3 nights so that you can fit in some of the longer drives.

Unforgettable experience staying at Elephant Lodge on our honeymoon. The setting is extremely beautiful and remote, rarely do you get to enjoy the complete silence that can be experienced here during the night. Enchanting experience being so close to nature and all of the animals nearby. The staff were exceptional, and it was a pleasure to get to know them through the course of our stay. Our guide, Edison, was very knowledgable and helpful. Special thanks also to Hilma, the manager on site, who went above and beyond to help us with an issue we had with our car. Would definitely recommend, and hope that we will be back in the not-to-distant future! N & J. P.S. the food was also delicious!

In the middle of nowhere sprouts this luxury lodge. The infinity pool is wonderful . Only 6 sun beds but lots of lounge areas to sit in next to the pool. The room was unique with a walk way separating the bedroom and bathroom. The out door shower was Devine. There is a walk in indoor shower as well. Coffee & tea making facilities such a plus. Plenty of drinking water in the rooms. Love the big front entry door. Make use of the comfy sun sofas on your private lookout verandah. Our ranger pronounced to us as ‘OneA’ (spelt differently) was fantastic. Nothing was a problem for him. Changing plans was no hassle. He is Himba and knows his stuff. A truly memorable experience. We stayed 4 nights as we chartered a plane to get there. Landing in Puros air***** 30 mins drive from the lodge. Stay at least 2 to 3 nights to really take it all in.

We have visited Purros on previous occasions but camped in recognised sites. We normally shun 'lodges' and permanent buildings in such locations as intrusive but of necessity decided to book at Okahirongo Lodge. Booking was easy and the communication was simple and prompt. We drove the 100km from the nearest big settlement quite easily despite some road damage due to very welcome rains but wondered how to reach the lodge which lay on the far side of the Hoarusib river which is usually dry sand but now was a little treacherous and wet. We need not have bothered to worry as the lodge had sent their vehicle to guide us to them and all went very well. What a lovely place and run by lovely people who rapidly became friends. Our room/bungalow was large and airy and very well equipped and clean. Meals were served in separate buildings and very nourishing and wholesome. I had commented that the menu leaned perhaps to Italian and was proudly told that the chef was a local Himba lady. The guiding was excellent using the lodges own vehicle and guide. I normally prefer to do my own game drives but really enjoyed the time we had together seeking out the local wildlife. Actually this could be regularly viewed from the patio of our Bungalow without effort and we thoroughly enjoyed our three day/night stay. The guide even 'escorted' us back over the river on the sad day that we had to leave this lovely place.. We will certainly return again when next in Kunene. All staff were extremely helpful and friendly and special mention should go to Kat who helped make our stay so enjoyable.

We had misgivings about staying here for several reasons, including cost. But all went well in the booking process with our questions being answered promptly and thoroughly. We went and it was a god choice. We normally explore areas with our own vehicle but due to recent heavy rains this may have proved a bit foolhardy as the river was still flowing and the sand soft. Even on arrival in Purros we were pleased to find that they had kindly sent a vehicle to guide us over the river Hoarusib to the Lodge on the hill above. That was a start to a pleasant stay. The architecture is a bit quirky, in reminded me of Lilliput in the Disney film, but it works internally. There are about 8 bungalows set along a ridge divided by the central communal areas such as office, pool, lounges and restaurants. I say restaurants (plural) as there were several rooms where private dining would be possible but as we were almost the only guests that was a bit academic during our stay. All was immaculately clean and maintained. Our bungalow was well equipped and fitted out and was one of the nicest of places. The bedroom was accessed from a gate to a small lobby and on the other side was the bathroom complete with bath and washbasins as well as shower stall . A really nice idea. At the end of the lobby/hall was a lounge and sunbed on a small balcony/stoop with tremendous views out over the harsh desert lands and mountains. There was much to look sat from a family of Ostrich to a daily parade of Springbok going about their business in total security. I dare say elephant and other large mammals pass by in season as there were many animal tracks criss crossing the desert. Meals were very nicely cooked from a choice of main courses. The was a hint of italian in the cooking process and when I enquired if the chef was italian, I was proudly told that she was 'pure blood Himba'. As the informant was proudly Ovambo it was good to see that the lodge was providing good work for local Namibian people. Due to the conditions I took advantage of their game drives each morning and their guide 'Wahni' was excellent and hard working in seeking out wildlife and birds as well as explaining the local way of life and its interaction with wildlife. All in all a very nice place to stay for a few days in teh sp**** Purros area and we plan to return again on our next trip.

Refreshing welcome with helpful luggage service give us a very good feeling to arrive at this place. The offered game drive was fantastic since the persistent searching and finding of the desert elephant of the guide was impressive. A advise to the cooking: dinner could be more African style rather than European/Italian.

Unbelievably beautiful camp in a desolate, isolated area. The rooms are very comfortable, lovely, and clean and the common areas gorgeously decorated. The staff and especially the manager, Hilma were the best of any lodge we stayed in while traveling in Namibia. Although the staff were unobtrusive, they were immediately available to help in any circumstance, and proactively offered drinks, coffee, etc. The food was great and the wildlife excursions tracking the desert adapted elephant were memorable. It was particularly interesting to visit the nearby Himba camp, where relatives of our guide lived. The women demonstrated various aspects of their lives and were friendly and welcoming. The one improvement I would recommend is that the lodge offer free wifi. I understand the remoteness, but the lodge is quite expensive and one would think that wifi would be included. Although one can fly here, most people probably drive and it should be noted that the road here is the most terrible road we experienced while driving all over Namibia, deeply rutted in spots, extremely rocky, areas of sand. The end of the road near the lodge took us 2 hours to drive 55 kilometers. The staff waits for you in a village near the lodge in order to guide you directly there. It should be noted that you have to cross a dry river, but during the rainy season, if there is water in the river, then the lodge is inaccessible by car. Our stay here was incredible and one of our best memories of Namibia.

Es sollte ein tolles Erlebnis werden , war aber der größte Reinfall. Die Zimmer sind dunkel, Moskitonetze durchlöchert. Die beiden Stühle im Zimmer sind mit Nieten beschlagen an den man sich verletzen kann oder wie in unserem Fall die Kleidung beschädigen kann. Vor den Zimmerfenstern gibt es nur Moskitonetze kein Glas, dadurch ist es im Zimmer sowie in Bad eiskalt. Die Fensterrahmen sind nicht dicht sondern stehen zu Teil 0,5 cm auseinander. Die Hotelbademäntel sind sehr dünn ,und waren bei uns vergilbt , was bei der Kälte nicht gerade hilfreich war. Die vom Hotel ins Bett gelegten Wärmeflaschen haben nur bedingt geholfen. Auch gibt es im Zimmer keinen Kühlschrank und auch keine Möglichkeit sich einen Kaffee oder Tee zuzubereiten. Im Badezimmer waren die italienisch angehauchten Waschbecken fleckig. Das separate Bad hat eine gute Größe und Aufteilung. Leider verschmutzen beide Räume schnell, da Fensterscheiben fehlen. Sämtliche öffentlichen Räume haben nur 1 oder 2Wände, somit ist es auch in den Restaurants kalt. Die Mitarbeiter bedienen einen in Fleecejacke und Mütze. Eine kl. Reisegruppe war nicht glücklich darüber und baten das Hotel um Abhilfe. Am nächsten Tag mußte ein Mitarbeiter so eine Art von Zeltwand einziehen, der beschwerte ich bei jeden Kollegen darüber, dass er diese Arbeit erledigen musste. Sorry, aber bei wahrscheinlich 16 Jahren Investitionsstau muss man auch mal arbeiten. Die Mitarbeiter waren bis auf eine Ausnahme sehr nett. Unser Guide für den Gamedrive war sehr versiert und hat uns viel gezeigt einschl. der Wüstenelefanten. Die Hotelanlage ist verkauft worden an einen südafrikanischen Investor. Hoffen wir mal das er die Energie und das nötige Kleingeld hat, um aus den Hotel etwas zu machen. Wer in diese Abgeschiedenheit nach anstrengender Anreise nächtigen will erwartet bei dem Preis einiges. Das Essen ist gut . Die Aussicht ins Purrostal sehr schön.