Frans Indongo Lodge

Near Waterberg Plateau - Namibia

Frans Indongo Lodge is near Waterberg Plateau Park, 44km from Otjiwarongo. This is not only the ideal stopover for the weary traveller between Etosha and Windhoek, but is also conveniently located for trips to the Waterberg Plateau. The 170 km² game farm has an abundance of game, including white and black rhino, black wildebeest and hartebeest. For active holidaymakers there are trails which meander through the bush savannah and lead onto a hill with a magnificent look-out point.

The lodge complex is modelled on traditional Ovambo homesteads: palisades of tall pointed stakes embrace the lodge and convey a feeling of the warmth and security of home right in the middle of the African bush. Inside the complex, a palisade separates the restaurant and swimming pool area from the guest chalets and thereby provides more privacy. A variety of beautiful building materials like natural stone, wood and reed were used for the houses. Items of daily use in Ovambo – earthen pots, voluminous storage baskets or original wooden figures – serve as decorations to emphasise the African theme and lend a very special charm to the lodge.

The luxurious character of the Frans Indongo Lodge is complemented by the interior decoration and colour scheme of the six double rooms and the six generously proportioned chalets. Each room has a bathroom, air-conditioner, fridge, hairdryer, telephone, TV and an electric kettle for tea and coffee.

The lush green garden attracts the Shaft-tailed Whydah, the strikingly coloured Crimson-breasted Shrike, the Pied Barbet, and many other birds. At sunset, retreat to the large wooden veranda at the bar or the little observation tower. Both are fabulous places for savouring the enchanting hour of dusk - and keeping an eye on the water hole which is illuminated at night. The rare nyala, black springbok and white blesbok, sable and roan antelope regularly put in an appearance.

Frans Indongo Lodge is an excellent choice of accommodation on any self drive safari in Namibia, and a two night stay will allow you to explore the Waterberg area at leisure.

Walking and Hiking

Those who like to go exploring on foot, have three trails of differing length (1.5 to 4 hours) to choose from. Quite often antelope will cross your path. The effort of climbing the hilltop is rewarded with wonderful panoramic views of the vast bush savannah plains right across to Waterberg. Furthermore, there is much to learn about trees on the wayside. A botanist has numbered many typical trees and shrubs according to the ‘Pocket List of Southern African Indigenous Trees’.

Cheetah Conservation Fund

The natural habitat of wild cheetah has shrunk dramatically all over the world. Thus the fastest terrestrial animal on the planet has become a highly endangered species. With about 2,500 animals, Namibia boasts the largest Cheetah population on earth. In order to protect Cheetah in Namibia, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) was founded in 1990.

The CCF information centre is entertaining and instructive, and definitely worthwhile. Cheetah which no longer can be released into the wilds for various reasons, are kept in large enclosures next to the centre. You will be able to take stunning pictures of the big cats. On certain days, visitors are also welcome to watch cheetah at full speed during their sprint-training.

From Frans Indongo Lodge it takes around 45 minutes to drive to the CCF. For this excursion you need about half a day.

Restaurant for vultures

The Rare and Endangered Species Trust (REST), established in 2000, is mainly concerned with protecting the Cape vulture which is an endangered species in Namibia. Once there were seven colonies of about 2,000 birds in the country. Now, only one colony of eleven Cape vultures remains in the cliffs of Waterberg. To observe and study the birds, REST set up a vulture restaurant with an observation screen. Carrion is regularly laid out at the restaurant, which attracts Cape vultures as well as hundreds of White-backed and Lappet-faced vultures.

From Frans Indongo Lodge, it is a 15-minute drive to REST. For your encounter with vultures plan two to three hours in the morning or afternoon.

Excursion to Waterberg

Thanks to rich springs, the eastern cliffs of ‘Water Mountain’ are characterised by an almost subtropical abundance of flora. The plateau of this table mountain was proclaimed a nature reserve in 1972. Animal species in need of protection – such as Sable Antelope, Buffalo and Rhino - were resettled there. Furthermore, Rüppell’s parrot and other rare types of birds can be spotted. From the restcamp, a path leads up to the rocks at the edge of the plateau where Rock Hyrax and Klipspringer are found. The historic police station now houses a restaurant with numerous photographs from the olden days. For this excursion you should reserve one day.

OvaHerero cultural centre

Farm Hamakari is situated east of Waterberg, close to the little town of Okakarara. At Hamakari OvaHerero fighters suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of German troops in 1904. At the historic site a cultural and tourism centre is now being established, which will house an exhibition on the history and culture of the Ovaherero people; local arts and crafts will also be sold there. The centre is only a short detour on your way to or from Waterberg.

Directions

To find Frans Indongo Lodge head 26 kms north of Otjiwarongo towards Otavi, turn right onto the D2433 and the lodge is about 18 kms along this road.