Situated east of the Epupa Falls on the banks of the Kunene River, in Kaokoland is Epupa Camp. With its waving palms, spectacular sunsets and perennially flowing waters, the Epupa area has much to see and experience. Exciting geological and archaeological sites can be seen in the area. Bird life in this riverine paradise is rich and varied, with some species endemic to the Kunene River environs.
It is a small tented camp that offers you a relaxing, yet exhilarating, few days of personalized service, excellent food and the seclusion of a lush riverine wilderness. The adjacent dining room and lounge area also face the Kunene River, along with a very small plunge pool for cooling down from the midday heat, or enjoying a glass of sparkling wine.
Other facilities include a telephone & fax machine, Internet facilities (slow but adequate for e-mail) and a laptop for downloading your pictures and burning them to a disc
A small suspension bridge connects the lodge with its own private island. Hammocks, benches, and lounge chairs, placed close to the river, create a personal piece of paradise.
At Epupa, they serve three meals a day, as well as afternoon cake and tea, all of which are included in the full-board price. Complimentary coffee and tea are available all day, whilst their bar is always available for something stronger. Breakfast consists of a healthy buffet, with fresh fruits and nuts, cereals, homemade muesli, freshly baked bread, meats, cheeses, tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggs.
A light lunch usually consists of quiches, lasagna or pasta, accompanied by fresh salad.
Dinner is very much a sociable as a culinary event. It takes place around a 7-meter long dining table, in company with the manager and/or one of our guides. Please inform us well in advance if you have any special dietary requirements (the nearest grocery store is more than 200 km away!). Depending on the season, some of the vegetables will be their own organic crop, home-grown in one of the vegetable gardens. Their wine list comprises a small, but hand-picked list of distinct South African wines for every taste.
Romantic candle-lit dinners on the river front can be arranged upon request.
Epupa Falls Lodge consists of nine luxury safari-style tents, each with two single beds, en-suite bathrooms, (with running water, hot showers and flush toilet), 220v electricity, (available for 6hrs/day), 24hr lighting (for bedside lights), and mosquito netting. An outside, shaded balcony overlooks the tranquil Kunene River. Large Makalani palms provide welcome shade from the midday sun.
Epupa Falls Lodge offers guided tours to one of the Himba temporary villages. Learn about the sacred fire, the twin that stayed behind and the holy oxen. It is here that you can share a day in Africa, amongst people without calendars. The lodge works closely with the local community to provide them with access to development opportunities and direct benefits through tourism. A sound ecological policy is in place, that includes removing all solid waste from the area and whenever practical, recycling waste.
Other activities in this fascinating corner of the world include rafting, a bird-watching trip by boat, a visit to Epupa Falls and hiking.
The Epupa Falls, although not the biggest or highest in Africa, have a unique beauty that entices visitors from all over the world.
Visit to Himba settlement (included in full-board price): Visit a Himba settlement in the company of a local guide. Discover the lifestyles of a truly nomadic race which cover work, worship, jewellery creation, intricate female hairstyles, dancing, grazing livestock and the many domestic routines performed. Photography is permitted and a private visit to a traditional Himba graveyard is included.
Sundowner (included in full-board price): This trip sets off approximately 1 hour before sunset to one of the hills overlooking Epupa Falls. The combination of colour and shadow reflected on the the surrounding desert landscape is stunning. There is an option for guests staying for 2 nights to witness the sunset on the sandy beach on a private island overlooking the Kunene River.
Rafting (extra): Half or full day rafting or canoeing trips down the Kunene River are an ideal way to admire the scenery, birds and basking crocs. Guests are transported up river by safari vehicle to the launch site. A briefing and equipment distribution follows before you are lead downstream for a gentle cruise down the river.
Bird Watching Trip by Boat (extra): Half-day morning or afternoon guided trips on the Kunene River are a terrific way to watch or photograph birds hunting on the riverbanks, searching for seeds and insects. Expect to see Cinderella waxbills, Rüppell's korhaan, bee-eaters, kingfishers, lovebirds, weavers and sunbirds.
Visit to Epupa Falls (included in full-board price): Every day, we offer a guided walk to Epupa Falls with the option of taking a dip in one of the many rock pools or in the shallow water before the falls themselves. The walk will take you past the calm waters before the dramatic falls where the Himba people often come to wash their clothes, bathe, or play in the water. Finally, you will be taken to the best lookouts of the falls further downstream. The falls are a total of 700 meter long with a height of 35 meters, including rapids. Depending on the season, the falls have a typical flow from 20 (winter) to 800 meters square (summer) of water per second.
Hiking (included in full-board price): At Epupa Falls Lodge, we provide maps for half-day, self-guided hikes. We take you along the river or into the surrounding hills to explore the flora and fauna of the Kaokoland and enjoy stunning views of the Kunene snaking its way through the dry desert landscape. During your hike you are likely to come across large Euphorbia bushes (whose poisonous milky-white latex has been used by the Himba for hunting for centuries), rose quartz crystals, mopane scrub, and the flat-topped umbrella thorn with the almost Mexican name: Acacia tortilis.
A rustic option but closest situated to Epupa Falls, this site previously only provided campsites, but recently added rooms on stilts overlooking the river and falls.
AMONGST THE MOUNTAINS AND SAND DUNES OF REMOTE NORTH-WESTERN NAMIBIA IS HOANIB VALLEY CAMP, A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE GIRAFFE CONSERVATION FUND AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES
An excellent base from which to explore the Kaokoland area.
A great lodge in a remote location on the banks of the Kunene River, for those interesting in birding, relaxing or river rafting this lodge is an absolute must. Undoubtedly one of our favourite out of the way lodges.
Near the tiny settlement of Puros, this luxury lodge offers you the ability to search for the desert adapted elephants.
On a hillside overlooking the Kunene River this small intimate camp offers accommodation for a maximum of 14 people.
Welcome to Kaokoland, a true wilderness that is home to the Himba, one of the world’s last semi-nomadic cultures. Despite the harshness of the arid surrounds and the isolation of the area, this truly is the land of milk and honey. An off-the-beaten track experience! Beyond a gorgeous campsite overlooking the Kunene River, this camp offers guests comfortable tented chalets, all en suite. Each chalet is equipped with a watercooler to keep the heat at bay, as well as a terrace for relaxing while the river waters meander past. Omarunga offers a sunset excursion to a lovely look out point, where the Epupa-Falls can be appreciated in their full majesty. As well as visits of local Himba villages, and for he more adventurous, a river rafting trip.
These are honest reviews, both good and bad, from our travellers who visited this property.
Sleeping in the tents next to the river was an amazing experience, like the kayaking we had the possibility to do
Nice place, very very friendly staff. Great camp site along the kunene. We advice Samuel as a freelance guide. Great bathroom on campsite.
Very nice people. Tidy decorated tent, waiting for guests!!! Simon very helpful and so that our car was washed on morning of departure, no one asking for it.
Warm welcome and friendly staff. Comfortable for a camp. We booked the Himba tour which was very interersting, due in a large part to the translations and comments of the guide Manuel.
Not too much to do there. We were dissappointed by the himba visit, the guide spoke very limited english and it wasn't possible to discuss with himba's. Also, they were very few himbas in the village. The camp site was very nice. large and good shower.
The best way to reach Epupa Lodge is via Opuwo and Okongwati on the road D3700
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