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Wilderness Damaraland Camp

Lodges in Damaraland

Wilderness Damaraland Camp is set in central Damaraland on the southern slopes of the Huab River in Namibia.. Damaraland Camp recently won second prize in the British Travel Writers Silver Otter award for the best eco tourism project in the world.

Damaraland Camp attempts to integrate the community, environment and wildlife on a sustainable basis. Namibian wildlife in the area include desert elephant, black rhinoceros, oryx, kudu and springbok, while lion and cheetah occasionally visit the area.

Accommodation at Damaraland Camp consists of eight large tents with quality furnishings which flank a central lapa with a bar and dining room. Every tent has an amazing view and activities include walks and drives in search of desert elephant and black rhino. Activities revolve around nature drives and walks into the Huab River system. Stargazing is "par excellence" because of crystal-clear night skies. There are no fences in the area which gives one a complete feeling of freedom.

Originally the area was occupied primarily by the Damara people, but it soon became the home of other tribes such as the Hereros and the displaced Riemvasmakers of South Africa. Today, many residents of Damaraland are thus of mixed heritage, but most consider themselves Damara. The Damara name is derived from the Nama word "Dama", meaning "who walked here". This is because the Damara were known to the Nama people by the footprints they left around water holes. From their vantage point in the mountains, the Damara were quick to spot resources such as water or animals, on the plains below, and they were therefore able to be the first groups to reach these essential resources. The Damaraland community comprises a unique group of people who have recognised the value of the wildlife on their land and formed a Community Wildlife Conservancy to protect it. Until 1981, Damaraland was unprotected and open to poachers, mostly from outside the area. Eventually, Namibian NGO's formed a game guard system with people from the community, and interest in the welfare of the wildlife increased. After halting the poaching activities, there were many ideas on how to conserve the area and its resources in a sustainable manner. In 1996, Wilderness Safaris joined the communities conservation efforts and co-established what is now the most successful community based tourism venture in Namibia. In 1998, the success of Damaraland Camp helped the community to have their land proclaimed as the Torra Conservancy. It is now the leader of four Community Wildlife Conservancies in the country. Today, the Torra Conservancy is one of the most successful in all of Africa. It meets all its management costs and makes a profit which is then re-invested into community projects for their benefit. It is the first community conservancy which is able to sustain itself without donor funding.

Details: All Rooms | Some Rooms | Not Available Number of rooms: 16 Check in time: 12.00 Check out time: 10.00 Hotel / Lodge Facilities Room Facilities Children Restaurant Fitness Centre Swimming Pool Laundry Service Non Smoking Rooms Spa Lounge Disabled Access Internet Secure parking En-suite bathroom Television Telephone Room Service Mini Bar Air- Conditioning Fan Mosquito Nets Tea / Coffee Making In room safe High Chairs Cot Babysitting (pre-book) Tent details: Comfortable, large walk-in safari tents with doors. Valley-facing with wonderful views of the mountains En-suite facilities at the back of tent Tea and coffee brought to the tents in the morning Soaps, shampoos and insect repellents are supplied in each room

Other Lodges in Damaraland Damaraland Lodges Brandberg White Lady Lodge Bambatsi Holiday Ranch Damaraland Camp Mowani Mountain Lodge Palmwag Lodge Palmwag Rhino Camp Twyfelfontein Country Lodge Vingerklip Lodge

Camp Description

• Stone living area, combining dining room lounge and bar
  
• "Kraal" for outside dining, weather permitting
  
• Open fireplace for drinks
  
• Rock pool
  
• Small curio shop which stocks clothes
  
• Plunge pool

Game Viewing

Desert Elephant, possibly Black Rhino, Oryx, Kudu, Springbok and other species that can live in a desert environment.

Activities

• Game drives in four open 7-seater Land Rovers
  
• Guided walking safaris
  
• This is a wonderful area for enjoying the desert environment. There are no large concentrations of game as the desert cannot sustain the numbers. And yet there are the fascinating contrasts and observing animals eke out an existence in the dry terrain. Desert elephant are best seen here.
  

Suggested Daily Schedule

Below is only a suggestion as to what may happen in camp - as daily wildlife sightings tend to throw the schedule right out of schedule.

• 05h30 - Wake Up
  
• 06h00 - Full breakfast
  
• 06h30 - Depart on morning activity, either a walk or drive
  
• 13h00 - Lunch
  
• 15h30 - Tea and eats.
  
• 16h00 - Afternoon game drive or walk
  
• 19h00 - Dinner and stargazing
  

Electricity and water

• Solar panels generate all the power in this camp
  
• Fans and lights in the rooms powered by 12v solar power
  
• Solar heated water for showers
  

Drinks Policy

Drinks on game drives and housewine at dinner are included. All other drinks are excluded and will be charged to the guest's account to be settled on check-out.

Laundry Policy

Limited laundry facilities are provided at no extra cost

Rate - valid from 1 December 2007 - 30 November 2008

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast (DBB)

Fully Inclusive (FI) - meals, activities & local brand drinks

Activities & Additional Meals - only applicable if booked on a DBB rate

Rates are subject to change without prior notice

Directions

The turning for Damaraland Camp is on the C39. From Windhoek take the C39 from Outjo, go through Khorixas and the turning is about 100km further on your left. From the C34 coast road, join the C39 south of Torra Bay and head inland about 110km, (about 18km after the C43 turning), the turning is on your right. Here is a map of the area.