Information
Encounter Wildlife, Dinosaurs, Namibian History… and much more! Mount Etjo Safari Lodge is located in the heart of the Okonjati Game Reserve.
One of the first private Game Reserves established in Namibia and founded by world-renowned conservationist Jan Oelofse.
Home to over 8000 animals and a impressive variety of bird species the Okonjati Wildlife Sanctuary is a true Conservation Area, this historic lodge deservedly carries the name “Etjo”, meaning place of refuge. Mount Etjo Safari Lodge is where the most important Declaration towards Namibia’s Independence was signed in 1989 (The Mount Etjo Declaration).
Experiencing Wildlife activities and Enjoying Nature on the Okonjati Game Reserve is memorable and everlasting, while enjoying exquisite cuisine and luxurious accommodation, Mount Etjo Safari Lodge is and remains one of the most favorite destinations to visitors from around the world.
Rooms
Villa
Partially located on an island, with an extraordinary 180 degree view of the waterhole where animals come to quench their thirst, the Villa is the pearl of Mount Etjo Safari Lodge. The Villa offers privacy, exclusivity, luxury and a special ambience with a private swimming pool, mini-bar, Satelite television, a large lounge, two king-size beds, private dining facilities and a personal chef (on request). An exceptional opportunity for all-day game viewing from the comfort of the grandest accommodation, the Villa is an African dream come true.
- Twin King: two king-size beds
Suite
The Luxury Suites offer the perfect accommodation for a special getaway or a honeymoon. Rooms are spacious and fitted with a large lounge, an exquisite bedroom and a fire-place or Jacuzzi, a mini-fridge, safe, ceiling fan, air-conditioner and a tea/coffee station.
– King: one king-size bed
– Twin: two double beds
Luxury
All luxury rooms are equipped with a tea/coffee station, an air conditioner and heater, a ceiling fan, a safe and a small fridge. Some rooms offer the use of a Jacuzzi. Wheelchair friendly rooms available.
– King: one king-size bed
– Twin: two double beds
Smaller Single
The Smaller Single Rooms are furnished with two single beds, a coffee/tea station,safe, fridge, ceiling fan and air conditioning and a bathroom with only a shower.
Elephant Lodge
Elephant Lodge is situated right in front of a water hole and offers the perfect accommodation for photographers or guests seeking tranquility and privacy. The lodge is furnished with only 6 rooms. Rates include full board, laundry and activities such as private game drives, personal guiding, rhino and antelope tracking, day visits to the lions and much more. Enjoy a sundowner at the bar overlooking the waterhole, have a traditional home-cooked meal in our lapa and relax at the pool in the afternoon. However, you may want to vacate the pool when the elephants are near as they prefer a sip of pool water to the waterhole sometimes. Elephant lodge owes its name to these frequent visitors.
Facilities
Meals & Bio Food
Dinner
Dinner is served in our beautiful traditional African lapa around camp fire, with a glimpse of the night sky. In winter, dinner is served from 19h00, during summer time from 20h00.
We serve a delicious appetizer & home-baked bread, followed by a buffet selection of healthy lean game meats, gravies, vegetables and variety of salads fresh from our garden. A home made dessert will round off a hearty African meal.
Light Lunch
Light lunch during warm summer months consists of a selection of salads and a cold buffet.
In the winter months a selection of cooked dishes and a warm buffet is served.
Lunch is served between 12h30 and 14h00 and must be booked in advance.
Coffee/Tea and Cake
Enjoy a complimentary selection of home-baked cakes with tea and coffee underneath the shady trees of the beautiful Mount Etjo gardens, from 14h00-16h00
Breakfast
Breakfast is served 06h00-09h00 in the breakfast room next to the reception. We serve a breakfast buffet, with eggs, sausage, vegetables and home baked pastries, yoghurts, fruits and cereals as well as tea and coffee.
Biologically grown Vegetables
Mount Etjo Safari Lodge grows a wide variety of vegetables, without any artificial fertilizers or insecticides. Butternut, cucumber, squashes, spinach, carrots, onions, beetroot, salads, radishes, cauliflower, watermelon, spring onions, beans and a variety of herbs are sourced from our acre of green wholesomeness. Enjoy all the goodness of 100% biologically grown vegetables!
Healthy Meat
Game meat does not contain any antibiotics or hormones and is 100% natural. Rich in iron and very lean, our game meat is not only delicious but exceptionally healthy. Enjoy our home made variety of meats, including sausage, various cuts, kebab, droe wors, smoked meat, salami and biltong.
Recreation
Enjoy all the tranquility nature has to offer
Whether you relax at the swimming pool, at the bar, the lounge or in the beautiful Mount Etjo Gardens, you will find that the beautiful scenery will leave you feeling rejuvenated! The waterhole is situated right in front of the lodge, allowing for all-day game viewing experience.
The Souvenir Shop
The souvenir shop at Mount Etjo Safari Lodge sources a wide variety curios from local artists and travelling woodcarvers, at a good price. Toiletries and other amenities are available for your convenience.
The Mount Etjo Museum & Information Center
The museum is currently being renovated – but here you will find information about Mount Etjo Safari Lodge, the animals, plants and geology at Okonjati Game Reserve, about Jan Oelofse and his famous contribution towards conservation and the Namibian Independence Declaration. Truly informative and child-friendly, the information center is open all day and interesting for all age groups.
Activities
Game Drive
The Game Drives provide a unique opportunity to observe, encounter and admire the great variety of species that roam the Okonjati Game Reserve. Nowhere else in Namibia will you see such a diversity of animals, ranging from birds to the rare Roan and Sable Antelope, Elephants, White and Black Rhino, Giraffes, Zebras and many many more. The Game Drive is enjoyable for all age groups and can be booked on site.
Rates apply – please inquire prior
Times
– Summer: 07h00 – 10h00 & 15h00 – 18h00
– Winter: 07h00 – 10h00 & 16h00 – 19h00
Private Game Drive
On the private Game Drive your guide will make sure that you get an African experience not to be forgotten..
The drive will give you time to fully appreciate and experience Okonjati Wildlife Sanctuary.
The duration of the drive is half a day and can be extended by adding a picnic in the bush.
Rates
- N$ 2500.00 for max 5 people
- N$ 5500.00 for max 11 people
- N$1000.00 plus N$300.00 per person for the picnic
Times
- We suggest the Private Game Drive take place in the morning – duration is about 3 hours
- This activity is subject to availability of a guide and must be booked in advance
Cheetah Feed
The Cheetah feed allows you to get close to the fastest land animal on earth.
Observing interaction between them provides amazing photo opportunities and will let you appreciate these graceful cats.
The youngest cheetahs are estimated to have been born in 2011. The bait they are offered consists mostly of warthog, impala and springbuck. When the cats have finished thier meal, a pack of vultures (some of them endangered species) finish the leftovers within an amazingly short time, and offer another fascinating glimpse into the natural circle of African life.
Rates
- N$ 400.00 per person
- 17h00-18h00
Dinosaur Footprints
Saurichnium Damarense at Mount Etjo – German archeologists Dr Huene in 1925 and Dr Gürich in 1926 were the first to discover and describe the footprints found in the Etjo sandstone. Gürich distinguished 4 types: Saurichnium damarense, Saurichnium parallelum, Saurichnium anserinum and Saurichnium tetractis. At the Mount Etjo slope, up to three different footprints can be found. The most prominent and easily distinguishable footprint is that of Saurichnium damarense, the smaller footprints are thought to perhaps be those of juvenile Saurichnium damarense. Unfortunately not enough evidence is available to further classify these footprints. These are believed to be remnants of the Triassic (Stormberg) age and around 230 Million years old.
The necessary condition for dinosaur footprints to survive for 100 million years is that the impression has to be made in soft clay (along a lake, coastline or riverbed), and then baked dry by the sun. Assuming the footprints are “well-done” enough, they can then persist even after being buried under successive layers of sediment. What this means is that dinosaur footprints aren’t necessarily found only on the surface, they can be recovered from deep beneath the ground, just like ordinary fossils.
At the Mount Etjo footprints you will notice that these layers of sediment have weathered off over the years along the mountain range, revealing the dinosaur footprints that lay hidden and protected beneath. Take note of the different layers of red clay – they carry the same red color of the soil typically found in Namibia today.
The Dinosaur Walk
The footprints are about 3 km away from the Camp Dinosaur camping sites at Mount Etjo Safari Lodge. Follow the signs while admiring the magnificent scenery from the top of the hill.
The trail is about 1.5 km (about 30 minute walk)
- Guided Walk: N$ 300.00 per person
- Unaccompanied Walk: free of charge
Baffalo Footprints
In the Okonjati Pass fossilized Baffalo Footprints can be found.
Seemingly much alike the dinosaur footprints, footprints at the foothills of the Okonjati mountains, much resembling buffalo tracks of today, can be found. The tracks are embedded in in a type of limestone, which is thought to be several Million years old, a time during which no mammals existed. Many scientists have visited the site and suggested various theories to explain the source of the prints. Nonetheless, there must have been a reason why the old native Hereros gave Okonjati it’s name, meaning: “Place of the Buffalo”.
Ironically the majestic buffalo is the only animal which cannot be found at Okonjati Game Reserve today – Buffalo carry foot and mouth disease which may be easily spread to cattle in the area.
School Visit
A strong believe of the Oelofse family is to lay a good foundation for education and create opportunity for Namibias children.
They established the Mount Etjo Private School in 1993.
The school was opened by Namibias first president, Dr Sam Nujoma. Many children graduated from this school, following careers as medical nurses,geologists, accountants and engineers. Over 30 children between the ages of 6 and 12 years currently attend the school under supervision of our two dedicated and excellent school teachers. Meals, school equipment, educational toys and much more is provided by the Oelofse family.
Visits to Mount Etjo Private School may be arranged during break time at 10h00 am (please request appointment at reception).
Cheetah Feed
The Cheetah feed allows you to get close to the fastest land animal on earth.
Observing interaction between them allows you to get amazing photo opportunities and appreciate these beautiful cats.
Lion Feed
Watch our lions during the day from an open vehicle. This activity is subject to availability, depending on whether the lions have recently been spotted. A lioness and her cubs is currently the main attraction, a wonderful opportunity for photographers to observe them playing and feeding.
Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Cost: N$ 2 500.00 (private game drive)
Birds at Mount Etjo
The healthy ecosystem at Okonjati game reserves provides a home for hundreds of bird species. Surprisingly colourful, they are easily spotted by the attentive observer. Watching and identifying them with the help of a field guide can be fascinating!
Photography Adventure
For keen photographers of all levels, our professional wildlife photographer will provide you with stunning settings and ample photographic opportunities, sharing his passion and knowledge of wildlife and photography along the way. While absorbing the beauty of nature and with his expert technical advice, you will have the opportunity to photograph a big variety of animals, from the tallest giraffe to the smallest birds, lions, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, plenty of other wildlife species, such a roan and sable antelope, zebra.
Wildlife is unpredictable, the opportunities and situations change accordingly and techniques such as panning, fast exposures, shooting in low light, slow exposure shooting, mastering birds in flight, creative use of depth of field and creative compositions will be covered accordingly. Every photo tells a story – your story.