Welcome to the Huab Lodge
YOUR LUXURY ACCOMMODATION IN DAMARALAND NAMIBIA
Huab Lodge, situated in Damaraland Namibia, began as an idea to generate funds to save Namibia’s desert–dwelling elephants from being harassed and shot. Since 1992 awareness has increased, as has tourism and the “value” of the elephant is changing. The original farmland is a small, unique area called Monte Carlo which boasts stunning views bisected by the mostly dry Huab River.
At a special site just down river from the old rest camp, where the Germans built the so-called German Bath in the late 1800s, Huab Lodge was erected. Despite its size the unique main building blends well into its surroundings. The irregular thatch roof mirrors a mountain on the opposite bank.
Huab Lodge’s eight spacious, extensively refurbished, stone and thatch bungalows - accommodating a maximum of 16 guests – are spread along the elevated north bank of the river ensuring a magnificent and private view of the Huab River Valley, even from the shower!
Huab Lodge with all it has to offer and being off the beaten track is not a place for a single night-stop. You should allow several days to enjoy and absorb the tranquility and quiet, the welcoming and comfortable atmosphere, and the many activities at the lodge.
There is an airstrip directly nearby the lodge, which is ideally for fly-in safaris.
With a hearty welcome to Huab Lodge located in Damaraland in the heart of Namibia, your hosts invite you to recover from the stresses of your day to day lives and to discover and absorb the soul of the African bush.
Enjoy the comforts of the lodge, the relaxed atmosphere and the personal attention as well as the stunning landscape with its impressive variety of animal and plant life.
Discover for yourself together with a knowledgeable guide the beauty and the fascination of `the place where kopjes grow like giant mushrooms and elephants tread like ants` as so succinctly expressed by Oria Douglas-Hamilton.
The Lapa / main building
The main building, called The Lapa, is a huge living area with an enormous thatch roof with open sides so you feel as though you are in nature but well in the shade!
There is a cosy reading lounge with a reference library as well as albums of photographs of all the guests who through the years have come to stay.
A permanent coffee and tea table is laid out for your convenient’s.
The lapa had been built into a granite outcrop resulting in natural rock islands protruding into the area.
Bar
Our Bar, located in the Lapa, is your place of getting together with our management, guides and other guests. We welcome you to enjoy a cold beer after a long hot day, or sip on a G&T while enjoying the sun set from the small “stoep”
However, the Bar is open all day to drink a cold cool drink or a beverage of your choice. We offer you a wide variety of juices, soft drinks, long drinks, beer, South African wines as well as local and international spirits.
The reading corner
If you decide not to join our game drives or wish to relax in the thermal bath or the swimming pool, the reading corner- located in the Lapa is another ideal place for you to relax. Just enjoy the Huab Sound of Silence, read a book or one of the available magazines.
The library provides you a choice of books of all different kinds. You can learn and experience anything about the birds, the environment, the nature of Namibia and of the great history of our country.
Our tap water from a borehole not to far from the loge drinkable and glean.
Thermal Spring:
At Huab Lodge you can take a plunge in our swimming pool and day-dream on the deck chairs and pool beds while watching the colourful birds at the birdbath, or enjoy the soothing benefits of the natural thermal spring which bubbles up out of the ground at about 60 degrees Celsius but is maintained in the ‘bath’ at between 37 and 40 degrees.
The thermal bath is located beneath a sweeping thatched roof below a granite kopje (hillock), typical of the area. The roof is cut away so the southern skies are visible when lounging at night, listening to the jackals, owls, and barking geckos while taking advantage of the soothing and restorative nature of the minerals in the water.
Ephemeral River Drive
This full day activity starts with a quick 7am coffee before departure. From the lodge, you depart in the direction of the ephemeral Huab River, passing Khorixas, towards the petrified forest where large tree trunks have, over millions of years, "turned to stone". A packed breakfast is enjoyed en route under a huge sandstone mountain, from where the journey continues towards the Huab River.
After turning into the Huab we will stop for a mid-morning snack along one of its tributaries and discuss the plans for the day. With fences having, for the most part, been removed in the Damaraland area, the desert-adapted elephant are free to roam the entire area and the morning/mid day will be spent exploring both the Huab and Aba-Huab rivers, in search of these magnificent behemoths.
At lunchtime, we will find a shady spot to stop and have a bite, before starting the slow meander back to the lodge, stopping off at some unusual and unique sites along the way, aiming to return to the lodge before sunset.
Scenic and/or Sun-downer Drive:
A drive is offered in a game viewer vehicle, departing the lodge after breakfast to explore the nature reserve and the beauty of the morning. Another drive is offered in the late afternoon, taking in the magnificent Namibian sunset, along, of course, with the obligatory sun-downer.
Walking/Hiking
Early Morning Walk:
Early morning walk offered either before or after breakfast, the best time to do these walks is before the sun reaches its zenith as, even in winter, temperatures can rise to 30 degrees during the day and most animals prefer to find shelter during that time of the day. Longer walking routes for the fitter, or more adventurous guest, can be offered though.
Hiking trails for the adventurous can be done with a over night wild camping in the Huab river. For more info on this please send an email to info@huab.com for a tailer made hiking experience.
Damaraland and its unique rock art and engravings
At Huab Lodge there are several more activities to do. Nowhere else in Namibia will you find more rock paintings and engravings than in the Damaraland Region. Some shards and old tools can be found that were used by the San people hundreds of years ago.
Stargazing at Namibia’s night sky
If you are interested in stargazing just before the sun comes up is often a good time. Because of the remote location of the lodge there is no light pollution at night which gives you the opportunity to have a better view of the stars than anywhere else in the world. There is a telescope available so you can take a look at Saturn’s rings or Jupiter’s moons or wonder at the bright colours of the Jewel Box in the Southern Cross.
Namibia for photographers
So many photographers come to Namibia to experience and photograph its vast landscapes and pristine scenery. And it is the same for the birds. Not only bird watchers but bird photographers come to Huab Lodge to take pictures of some birds you won't find as easily anywhere else. Make use of the hide just below the main house to take pictures of some special bird species.
Birding
Huab Lodge in Damaraland Namibia has become a Mecca for bird watchers and photographers. When you sit back in your favourite armchair and start day-dreaming of a relaxing, tranquil place where you could get away from the stresses of your life, you invariably imagine a sparkling, sunny day with bird song and the sound of running water, rustling grass and wind in the trees … birds are the choir of the wilderness announcing every dawn and singing till evening, filling the world with music, life, colour, magic and the freedom of flight ... filling our imagination. Huab Lodge is ideally situated in granite hills on the banks of the ephemeral Huab River in habitats where several endemic or near endemic Namibian bird species occur, which makes them easy to see. Among its 210 bird species, the area boasts 9 of the endemic desert bird species including Hartlaub spurfowl, Rüppel’s parrot, southern violet wood-hoopoe, Monteiro’s hornbill, Carp’s tit, Barecheeked babbler, Damara rockrunner and White-tailed shrike, and many mammals and reptiles that are of particular interest in the semi-desert environment at Huab Lodge. Late September the Madagascar bee-eater arrives to breed in Namibia and delight us with his call and brilliance, staying until mid April. The violet-backed starling, the rosy-faced love bird and the boisterous bare-cheeked babbler can be seen from camp. There is a hide just below the main house for bird watching and photography.
Eight stone and thatch bungalows can accommodate a maximum of 16 guests. Meals are enjoyed with the hosts at the family table, where in the Lodge’s friendly atmosphere guests can make friends and exchange opinions and learn more about the country.
The spacious bungalows have large private patios and are tastefully and practically furnished. They all include a separate en-suite toilet, two hand-wash basins and mirrors and even the shower has a view. The airy room with two double size beds has large windows allowing lots of light and a view across the Huab river.
Tea and coffee making facilities are set out. Mosquito nets, a ceiling fan and a torch as well as biologically degradable soaps and shampoo are provided. 24 Hours 220 volt electricity is generated by the silent solar energy plant concealed on the hill. The chemically untreated water has a neutral pH value and is absolutely save coming from a borehole in the granite.
There is no need to close the curtains, instead you can watch the stars and listen to the calls of several owl species and barking geckos as you drift off to sleep.
In the morning as you look out from the comfort of your (extra long) bed you can enjoy the soft light as the sun catches the mountains and a new day begins.
The dawn chorus gives voice to grey hornbills, fork-tailed drongos and white-browed sparrow-weavers in particular. The “heart-attack” call of the red-billed spurfowl (francolin) ensures a rush of adrenaline first thing in the morning. Hartlaub’s spurfowl (francolin) shrieks his “machu pichu” call somewhere in the granite.
The nearest bungalow to the main building (The Lapa) is for physically disabled guests.
Spacious bungalows tastefully furnished have 2 double beds (extra long), own mosquito net despite the area being malaria free. Bathroom has a separate en-suite toilet, 2 hand-wash basins, and the shower has a view over the Huab valley. Private large patio has loungers and a table & chairs
Huab Lodge is situated halfway between Khorixas and Kamanjab in the north-western part of Namibia.
You can reach us either by car or by plane, using our Lodge Airstrip. You can also see detailed directions at our web site.
From Outjo travel for 10km towards Okaukuejo on the C38, then turn left for a further 40km on the tar towards Kamanjab on the C40.
Then turn left again onto the D3236. At the T-junction with the C35 turn north toward Kamanjab for 15km and just after the narrow bridge take the Monte Carlo signboard and the Huab sign on the D2670 going west ward. You'll reach the lodge after 35km.
Children are welcome, but needs to be under supervision of there parents at all time. We do have special rates for children.
