Gondwana Damara Mopane Lodge

We had an amazing stay at Damara Mopane Lodge! The staff was exceptionally friendly and attentive, from reception to housekeeping and the restaurant team. I mentioned my partner’s birthday to Ms. Rachel, who eagerly arranged a surprise cake and a special song. Cecilia from housekeeping went the extra mile, decorating our room and leaving a heartfelt birthday message—such a thoughtful touch! During dinner, the team made the celebration even more special with a wonderful performance, joined by the Gondwana Academy Tour group (special thanks to Chrissy). It was a truly memorable and heartwarming experience—thank you, Damara Mopane Lodge and Gondwana Academy Tour, for making it so special!

Named after the mopane trees that grow here, this is another green oasis (an overused phrase, but appropriate) in the hot, harsh deserts of Damaraland. Featuring a large swimming pool surrounded by concentric semi-circles of cottages and abundant birdlife, it is a relaxing spot to hang out en route to those early mornings in Etosha. The rooms are large and comfortable, as are the shower/bathroom. The air conditioning struggled to cope with temperatures in the high 30s, and the room seemed to be substantially hotter than the outside temperature, even with windows open, although it did cool down overnight with the windows open. There is a nice little trail up to a sunset deck, and a much longer one round the whole mountain, and even a small waterhole. The food is top rate, although portions are unnecessarily large, as they are throughout Namibia it seems (consider sharing), and they coped fine with vegetarians without any fuss. Each cottage has a garden where fruit and veg are grown - spinach, squash, eggplant, tomatoes, herbs, lemons, papaya, you name it - so the lodge must grow more of its own food than anywhere else in Namibia.

The Damara is placed in a remote setting 20 kilometers outside Khorixas, and is a great outset for going to the Unesco heritage sites of Twyfelfontein (2½ hours drive) and the petrified forest. The bungalows are spacious and absolutely sufficient, but not luxurious. The pool area is really nice, and the outside restaurant are, where the evening buffet is served, is cozy. The breakfast buffet was okay, without impressing. What impressed was however the sundeck, which gave us one of the most beautiful sunsets in Namibia. PS: The wifi is a bit unstable, but then again: You are in the middle of Namibia.

We stopped at Damara Mopane for a night on the road from Swakopmund to Etosha and arrived around lunch time. We had a great afternoon by the pool, having lunch and relaxing with the bar, and then a great evening meal in the outdoor dining area. The rooms are big, cool and comfortable with each room being its own little house. In the gardens of each room vegetables and fruit are grown which is a really nice touch and provides fresh produce for meals. We didnt stay long but it was a wonderful short break and pitstop and I could have happily stayed another night to have a day in the sun by the pool with the bar! Great birding too.