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Frans Indongo Lodge

Lodge near Waterberg Plateau - Namibia

Frans Indongo Lodge is situated in the proximity of Waterberg Plateau Park, 44km from Otjiwarongo. This is the ideal stopover for the weary traveller between Etosha and Windhoek. Frans Indongo Lodge is also conveniently located for trips to the Waterberg Plateau in central Namibia. The 170 km² game farm boasts an abundance of game, including white and black rhino, black wildebeest and hartebeest. For active holidaymakers we have laid out trails which meander through the bush savannah and lead onto a hill with a magnificent look-out point.

The lode complex is modelled on traditional Ovambo homesteads: palisades of tall pointed stakes embrace the lodge and convey a feeling of the warmth and security of home right in the middle of the African bush. Inside the complex a palisade separates the restaurant and swimming pool area from the guest chalets and thereby provides more privacy. A variety of beautiful building materials like natural stone, wood and reed were used for the houses. Items of daily use in Ovambo – earthen pots, voluminous storage baskets or original wooden figures – serve as decoration to emphasise the African theme, and lend a very special charm to the lodge.

The luxurious character of the Frans Indongo Lodge is complemented by the interior decoration and colour scheme of the six double rooms and the six generously proportioned chalets. All the rooms have their own bathroom, air-conditioner, fridge, hairdryer, telephone, TV and an electric kettle for tea and coffee.

The lush green garden attracts the Shaft-tailed Whydah, the strikingly coloured Crimson-breasted Shrike, the Pied Barbet and many other birds. At sun set retreat to the large wooden veranda at the bar or the little observation tower. Both are fabulous places for savouring the enchanting hour of dusk - and keeping an eye on the water hole which is illuminated at night. The rare nyala, black springbok and white blesbok, sable and roan antelope regularly put in an appearance.

Frans Indongo Lodge is an excellent choice of accommodation on any self drive safari in Namibia, and a two night stay will allow you to explore the Waterberg area at leisure.

Details: All Rooms | Some Rooms | Not Available Number of rooms: 12 Check in time: 14.00 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

Other Lodges near Waterberg Waterberg Lodges Frans Indongo Lodge Kambaku Safari Lodge Wabi Waterberg Game Lodge Waterberg Plateau Park Waterberg Wilderness Lodge

Activities

Explore the Savannah on foot or on wheels

Frans Indongo Lodge is situated in the heart of a 17.000 ha (170 km²) farm in the bush savannah. Only a small part of the farm is still utilised for agricultural purposes. The focus now is on caring for the game. Apart from Gemsbok, Zebra, Kudu and Springbok there are also rarer species like Eland, Sable and Roan Antelope, Impala and Black Wildebeest, as well as White and Black Rhino. A game drive in an open off-road vehicle (about two hours) offers plenty of opportunity to watch the animals and take pictures.

Those who like to go exploring on foot, have three trails of differing length (1.5 to 4 hours) to choose from. Quite often antelope will cross your path. The effort of climbing the hilltop is rewarded with wonderful panoramic views of the vast bush savannah plains right across to Waterberg. Furthermore, there is much to learn about trees on the wayside. A botanist has numbered many typical trees and shrubs according to the ‘Pocket List of Southern African Indigenous Trees’. These are standard numbers, used in any good guidebook on plants, so that you can read up on any tree or shrub bearing a number.

Cheetah Conservation Fund

The natural habitat of Cheetah in the wild has shrunk dramatically all over the world. Thus the fastest terrestrial animal on the planet has become a highly endangered species. With about 2,500 animals, Namibia boasts the largest Cheetah population on earth. In order to protect Cheetah in Namibia, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) was founded in 1990.

The CCF information centre is as entertaining as instructive and definitely worthwhile. Cheetah which no longer can be released into the wilds for various reasons, are kept in large enclosures next to the centre. You will be able to take stunning pictures of the big cats. On certain days visitors are also welcome to watch Cheetah at full speed during their sprint-training.

From Frans Indongo Lodge it takes around 45 minutes to drive to the CCF. For this excursion you need about half a day.

Restaurant for vultures

The Rare and Endangered Species Trust (REST), established in 2000, is mainly concerned with protecting the Cape vulture which is an endangered species in Namibia. Once there were seven colonies of about 2,000 birds in the country. Now, only one colony of eleven Cape vultures remains in the cliffs of Waterberg. For observing and studying the birds, REST set up a vulture restaurant with an observation screen. Carrion is regularly laid out at the restaurant, which does attract Cape vultures and hundreds of White-backed and Lappet-faced vultures.

The screen is very suitable for taking good pictures. Visitors can also get acquainted with Nelson, a flightless vulture which is kept in a large aviary. A host of interesting facts about these useful scavengers can be learnt at REST’s research and study centre.

From Frans Indongo Lodge it is a 15-minute drive to REST. For your encounter with vultures plan two to three hours in the morning or afternoon.

Excursion to Waterberg

Thanks to rich springs, the eastern cliffs of ‘Water Mountain’ are characterised by an almost subtropical abundance of flora. The plateau of this table mountain was proclaimed a nature reserve in 1972. Animal species in need of protection – such as Sable Antelope, Buffalo and Rhino - were resettled there. Furthermore, Rüppell’s parrot and other rare types of birds can be spotted. From the semi-state restcamp a path leads up to the rocks at the edge of the plateau where Rock Hyrax and Klipspringer are found. The historic police station now houses a restaurant with numerous pictures from the olden days.

For this excursion you should reserve one day.

OvaHerero cultural centre

Farm Hamakari is situated east of Waterberg, close to the little town of Okakarara. At Hamakari OvaHerero fighters suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of German troops in 1904. At the historic site a cultural and tourism centre is now being established, which will house an exhibition on the history and culture of the Ovaherero people; local arts and crafts will also be sold there.

The centre is only a short detour on your way to or from Waterberg.

Rate - valid from 1 November 2007 - 31 October 2008

Bed & Breakfast (B&B)

Activities & Additional Meals

Rates are subject to change without prior notice

Directions

To find Frans Indongo Lodge head 26km north of Otjiwarongo towards Otavi, turn right onto the D2433 and the lodge is around 18km along this road