Kunene River Lodge
Accommodation on the Kunene River - Kaokoland - Namibia
Kunene River Lodge is situated on the northern border of Namibia on the banks of the River Kunene, which forms the boundary with Angola. It is 50kms west of the Ruacana Falls and 100km east of the Epupa Falls in the region known as Kaokoland. The terrain is rugged, but there are tarred roads as far as Ruacana. Local roads are generally good, gravel surfaces, although the riverside road is subject to occasional flooding during the wet season.
Kunene River Lodge nestles beneath a beautiful canopy of indigenous trees stretching down to the river. In addition to its idyllic setting, facilities and in-house activities, the Lodge also serves as an ideal gateway for those setting out to explore the rugged and beautiful Kaokoland region of north-west Namibia. It has a restaurant, bar, pool and a shop and a laundry service..
The Lodge has 7 spacious, luxury bungalows, fully equipped with en-suite shower, WC and washbasin, remote controlled air-conditioning, fitted wardrobes and storage space. 5 bungalows are furnished with 2 double beds, and 2 bungalows are furnished with single beds.
There are also 4 A-frame rustic bungalows, each set in its own beautiful plot. These chalets give their guests a hint of the pioneering style of life in this part of Africa but, in doing so, they sacrifice neither comfort, convenience nor amenities. Each is equipped with an en-suite shower room, a WC washbasin, overhead cooling fan, wardrobe and storage area. There is an outside seating area. 3 of the rustic chalets have double beds, and the other one has two single beds.
These 11 bungalows are all laid out in the tranquil shade of the Jackalberry and Leadwood trees.
Kunene River Lodge has offered white water rafting since the beginning of 1996 and has a large in-house rafting operation, equipped exclusively with top quality rafting equipment made by ARK. Large 6-man as well as small 2-man rafts are available. Kunene River Lodge employs SARA trained guides on a permanent basis and can handle large groups with the necessary care and expertise.
The level of the river permitting, river boarding can be done along with rafting. Although rafting operations are concentrated on the Ondoruzu Gorge, Kunene River Lodge can also offer tailor-made rafting trips of up to 5 days.
You can enjoy your sundowner overlooking the Kunene Valley with the sun setting over the Zebra Mountains, or you can take part in a sundowner cruise with a difference, quietly floating down the Kunene River, sipping your favourite drink.
Activities include white water rafting, river boarding, bird watching, sundowner cruises, canoing, hiking, fishing and mountain biking.
Kunene River Lodge. A 'Piece of Paradise.'
- White-Water Expedition Centre
- The Ondorusu Gorge is the base for the majority of the rafting operations, but Kunene River Lodge also offers tailor-made rafting adventures of up to six days travelling, for example, to Epupa and its spectacular falls
- Sundowner Cruies
- drift lazily down the river with your favourite tipple on one of our Sundowner Cruises. Watch the ever changing forest and mountain scenery magically change colour, as the sun dips slowly beneath the horizon.
- Cultural Visit to a Local Himba Village
- The Himba people are proud yet friendly. With their permission we are allowed to visit a local village (kraal) to gain a unique insight into their history, culture, traditions and way of life which, unlike so many others elsewhere, survives virtually unchanged into the 21st century.
- Bird Watching
- The region hosts some endemic species, and several near-endemics, making it a very exciting area for bird enthusiasts to visit and explore. Of considerable interest, and principal among the endemics, are the Cinderella Waxbill and Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush.The Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush breeds well in the grounds of Kunene River Lodge, whilst the first Cinderella nest to be found in the wild was discovered close to the lodge in June 2008.
Directions:
To reach Kunene River Lodge by car you can drive via Ruacana towards Swartbooisdrift or via Opuwa-Otjiveze (RD3700 and RD3701). Please take note however, that the road between Ruacana and Epupa is particularly bad and only suitable for vehicles with a fairly high ground clearance.

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