Etendeka is one of the pearls in the Big Sky Lodges offerings that comprise three stylish, luxurious and eco-friendly properties and one incredible walking trail experience in Namibia.
In the foothills of the Grootberg massif, in stunning scenery set amidst the archaic Etendeka lava flows of northern Damaraland, you will find Etendeka Mountain Camp. Here the ancient basalt has been slowly eroded over millennia, leaving scattered boulders lying upon sensational flat-topped mountains.
Dramatically set in these breathtaking foothills, Etendeka Mountain Camp will capture your heart and enable you to experience this remote wilderness with its stark beauty in a truly authentic way. A rich and diverse environment to be explored on foot or a scenic drive.
This award-winning eco-friendly camp bears testimony to her many riches with the emphasis here being on nature itself. Etendeka Mountain Camp has been designed to fit into the landscape both aesthetically and environmentally.
Exploring the area in open game drive vehicles with the exceptionally knowledgeable guides. © Helmut-Gries
Pathways take one to ten private shaded en-suite Meru tents with their stunning eco-friendly open-air “bucket” showers. It is simple comfort in a rugged and unforgettable landscape. A bar with spectacular views and a comfortable lounge is flanked by an inviting long table where breakfasts, lunches and wholesome dinners are shared with the host and your guide. The pool with its loungers is an unexpected delight, especially in the heat of the Namibian days.
This is a highly successful Joint Venture Tourism agreement that exists between the Omatendeka and Anabeb Communal Conservancies, Big Sky Lodges and Dennis Liebenberg for the management of the 400km² Etendeka Concession. All operations on this Concession directly benefit the people of these two Conservancies who live in remote and isolated areas bordering the concession in the north.
Walking Trails, an introduction to an environment that holds many of Namibia’s unique natural attractions
At Etendeka, safaris are not fast-paced, but rather a privileged introduction to an environment that holds many of Namibia’s unique natural attractions. Desert adapted wildlife forge a precarious existence amongst the towering basalt mountains and Mopani-shaded rivers beds of the Kunene region. This unforgiving landscape is a refuge for a diverse number of plant and mammal species. Desert elephant and black rhino share boulder-strewn valleys with watchful cheetah and thundering herds of Oryx. Dew darkened game trails show the heavy track marks of lion and the mountain zebra they hunt. Scorpions prowl between volcanic rock shards and snake eagles drift through the warm afternoon breeze.
This apparently unforgiving landscape is refuge to a diverse number of desert adapted wildlife
On a clear evening, Dennis, your host, will invite you outside for an awe-struck stargazing experience, pointing out the various constellations along our Milky Way. The guests from the Northern Hemisphere will be thrilled to see the Southern Cross and Sirius, the brightest star in the earth’s night sky. Dennis is incredibly well informed and allows all guests to look through the telescope. Let him reveal the night sky as he points out two of the moons of Jupiter and the rings around Saturn. A magical end to a day full of wonders. Here one is reminded that we are all guests of Mother Nature.
“You cannot leave Africa, Africa said. It is always with you, there inside your head. Our rivers run in currents in the swirl of your thumbprints; our drumbeats counting out your pulse; our coastline the silhouette of your soul.”
-Bridget Dore