Damara Mopane Lodge, which opened in November 2010, is an excellent base for excursions into the scenic Damaraland area of north-western Namibia. From the lodge it is possible to visit the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein (130km) the Petrified Forest (55 km) and the Vingerklip rock formation (50 km). Mopane Lodge is situated east of the town of Khorixas close to the main tarred C39 road.

It is an ideal stopover location between Namibia's premier coastal town of Swakopmund and the Etosha National Park, or the remote Kaokoland area..

The main building and chalets of the lodge have been designed similar to that of an African village, and are built in a wattle and daub style under the shade of mopane trees. Damara Mopane Lodge has several unique features one of which is that the walls of the buildings and chalets are adorned by copies of the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein another are the creative scarecrows that inhabit the vegetable plots that surround the bungalows, keep an eye open for the scuba diving scarecrow - a personal favourite!

The reception, restaurant and chalets are all connected by a 'labyrinth of paths', enabling guests to follow the shortest route from the main facilities to and from their accommodation without getting lost. Dinner will consist of a hot starter with diners able to choose a personal platter for a light, but tasty meal. A selection of meats and vegetables are available and many of the fresh ingredients will be taken from the gardens around the chalets.

The swimming pool is situated alongside large, ancient mopane trees, an ideal setting to chill and relax after a dusty day's drive or excursion. There is a viewing deck is only 300m away from the camp, situated half way up a hill. It overlooks the camp and plains beyond and is a perfect venue for photographing magnificent, colourful sunsets and to admire the wonderful Namibian starry night skies.

Accommodation is in 60 double chalets. Air-conditioning and mosquito nets are standard as is a personal veranda. Each plot has its own vegetable and herb garden enclosed by a low wall. Lettuce, radishes, melons, pumpkins and tomatoes are grown alongside the more traditional African staple food such as maize and mahangu, adding to the illusion of spending the night in an African village.

Accommodation in Namibia

Twyfelfontein:

Proclaimed a World Heritage Site in 2007, Twyfelfontein contains around 2,000 rock engravings and one of the largest and most important concentrations of rock art in Africa. It was proclaimed a National Monument in 1952 and as many as 40,000 people a year now visit the site, making it one of the more popular tourist destinations in Namibia.

Petrified Forest:

The trees of the Petrified Forest were uprooted some 200 million years ago and were swept along by rivers in flood, covered by sediments and then subsequently uncovered by erosion.

Vingerklip:

Vingerklip (Finger Rock) is a 35m high pillar of sedimentary rock and is one of the most impressive rock formations in Namibia. It stands proudly above a valley, known as the Ugab terraces.

Desert-adapted elephants:

The western regions of Damaraland are home to the famous desert-adapted elephants. These beautiful animals move mainly around dry riverbeds, surviving and living on the foliage of trees and shrubs provided by rivers and seasonal rains

Directions:

Damara Mopane Camp is situated on the C39, 27km east of Khorixas