A rustic, simple camp with few frills but with the backdrop of some of Damaraland's most dramatic scenery
Etendeka is tucked away in the red rock Martian landscape of Damaraland. Long-time home of Dennis Liebenberg, the camp is one of simplicity and has adopted eco-friendly principles as a matter of course (rather than spin). Dwarfed by the surrounding mountains, this is one of those humbling places that makes you realise quite how vast nature is and quite how weeny you are.
The camp is quite spartan; everything you need with nothing that you don’t. Tents are meru-style walk-in numbers with an open-air en-suite which you access from outside. There is a bucket shower which you can fill up by yourself from the taps. This serves more to make you conscious of the amount you use than anything else since the water is trucked in from around 6km away. There is a flush loo and a little covered verandah but not much in the way of superfluous comforts.
Consequently there are not many comfy places to lounge around during siesta time.
Etendeka, though, is literally like being in the middle of an ancient museum. The seemingly barren landscape is a treasure-trove of geological splendours, fascinating plant and insect-life adapted specially to this harsh environment, and a surprising array of birds and animals too.
The main activities here are a walk in the morning to explore the foothills of the mountains and the beautiful craggy valleys, and an evening drive to check out the wider area. You are likely to see gemsbok, ostrich, kudu and springbok and if you are lucky, you may see desert-adapted elephant and lion. There are a number of endemic bird species including the Damara rockrunner and Herero chat. The black mongoose also occurs here as do leopard.
Etendeka is not a wildlife destination. It is perfect for nature lovers and those that enjoy simplicity, stunning scenery and just being in a beautiful wilderness. It can be pretty hot and the roads are bumpy but if you don’t mind these minor discomforts, then you will love the area.
10 Meru-style tents with outdoor en-suite, bucket shower & flush loo
A rustic, simple camp with few frills but with the backdrop of some of Damaraland's most dramatic scenery
Damaraland is a stark, perpetually surprising landscape of red rock mountains interspersed with some pretty tenacious vegetation and the odd misplaced sand-dune or grassy meadow. Harsh lunar vistas, deep silence, unbelievable starry skies and a geological Disneyland are the order of the day here. This is where desert-adapted elephant, rhino and lion roam (though they are not a dime a dozen so you should plan for some exciting hours “on the case" if you expect to have a chance of seeing one). You can actually join researchers at Desert Rhino Camp where you can specifically head out to track rhino. Surprising as it may sound, there are people here too, though not many. Now referred to as the Damara, these unsuspective folk were relocated from South Africa in the 1960s under the Odendaal Plan and somehow scratch a living from land that is neither well-suited for crops nor livestock. They are charming, bubbly people and you will no doubt spot the odd tumble-down homestead looking like something from the Midwest while you travel through this area. Read more?
If you are considering travelling to Namibia, chances are you are looking for something out of the ordinary. A journey through Namibia is all about daily surprises; the impossible number of stars, the expanse of views over desert mountains, the improbable salmon-pink of sand-dunes at sunrise, the ingenuity of small creatures adapted to the harsh environment, the ochre and leather dress of the Himba and petticoated dresses of the Herero, the first taste of ostrich biltong and the excellent seafood. Jump straight to some of our favourite Namibian experiences. Read more?
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Catherine's long experience of, and enthusiasm for Africa, makes her a mine of travel information. Add to the mix her vivacious character and inscrutable attention to detail and there are few people you'd rather have plan your holiday.
At Natural High, we've had long experience putting together trips in Africa that really work. Whether it's intimate bushcamps in out of the way places, or a private lodge in one of Africa's top-billing wildlife areas, light mobile camping or remote island escapes, we know there is a lot to choose from. We're absolutely confident that we can recommend the right places for you.
