Etendeka Mountain Camp
“I fill a bucket and take my outdoor shower while watching over remote Damaraland. At Etendeka Mountain Camp, I am a guest of nature.”
In the foothills of the Grootberg mountains, in stunning scenery set amidst the ancient Etendeka lava flows of northern Damaraland, you will find the solar-powered Etendeka Mountain Camp. The emphasis of the eco-friendly Etendeka Mountain Camp is on nature.
I sleep in one of the meru tents and the view is unbeatable. Damaraland is so pure. The outdoor bathroom has a flush toilet, hot-and-cold running water and a stunning open-air bucket shower. You just fill your bucket with hot water and take a shower. The kitchen staff prepares simple, fresh, wholesome meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner (either on solar or on open fires). We enjoy the meals under beautiful African skies full of stars. Besides all meals and drinks, some activities are included too.
My days here are spent exploring the area on foot and in open vehicles with the exceptionally knowledgeable guide Bonny. This is not a fast paced safari, but rather a privileged introduction to this beautiful environment.
The camp is situated in the middle of nowhere (someone will pick you up from Palmwag Lodge and the drive takes about two hours). The camp surrounded by towering basalt mountains and rivers beds of the Kunene region. This area is refuge to a diverse number of plants and desert adapted animals like the desert elephant, black rhino, cheetah and thundering herds of oryx. The 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.
I felt completely one with nature at this remote mountain camp.