Etusis Lodge

Set across a 21,000-hectare reserve in Namibia's Erongo region, Etusis Lodge has no boundary fences, so wildlife moves freely between savannah and the rugged rise of the Otjipatera Mountains. The lodge takes its name from a permanent lake fed by a seasonal waterfall nearby. Twelve rooms make up the main camp: seven stone and thatch bungalows, each with a private loft that sleeps children above the main twin beds, and five Meru-style tents shaded from the sun, with electricity, a coffee station and a private patio. Bathrooms in the tents can be private or shared, useful for families travelling together. A self-catering farmhouse sleeps up to seven guests, with farm animals kept nearby, and five campsites lie 20 km from the lodge, each with its own braai area and shared washroom facilities. Game drives run by 4x4 or horse-drawn carriage. Horse riding uses Basotho horses, with lessons offered for children. Guests can also walk marked trails on foot, join a full-day walking excursion with a picnic lunch between May and August, or visit a small on-site museum with historical artefacts. The lodge supports the Etusis Foundation, which works to protect the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra. Meals are taken family-style in the restaurant. It is a working reserve as much as a stay, with conservation and local employment built into daily life on the land.