Opuwo Country Lodge

Opuwo Country Lodge commands a stunning view of the starkly beautiful Kaokoveld regions thanks to its hilltop location outside of the town of Opuwo. The lodge is a hugely welcoming spot after a busy day exploring the region and also acts as the ideal break point of journeys to and from the Kunene River further north.

The lodge has 40 rooms, split between standard and luxury categories, all of which are very comfortable with all of the amenities that one could wish for. For those so inclined there is also a 12-berth campsite which is very well equipped. The rooms all have air conditioning, which is a welcome relief from the desert heat, but we tend to recommend the more spacious luxury rooms where at all possible. The main area of the lodge consists of a large dining room and open-plan lounge are and a convivial bar which is always busy, especially in the evenings as guests swap tales of their days exploring this remarkable area. A small curio shop sells locally produced handicrafts as well as essentials that you may have run out of during your trip. A large swimming pool looks out over the surrounding region and is one of the most alluring features of the lodge – the perfect spot to sit back, relax and soak up the afternoon sunshine.

The lodge is a great base for self-drives looking to explore the region and for stopping en-route to the Kunene River, but they do offer a number of in-house guided activities. Visits to local Himba villages are popular and give a fascinating insight in to the culture of these nomadic desert people. For those not driving themselves all the way north, they also offer day trips to the Ruacana or Epupa Falls.