Etendeka Mountain Camp
Etendeka Mountain Camp is located in the foothills of the Grootberg on the edge of the rocky Namib Desert. The ancient basalt in the area has been eroded away to leave a dramatic landscape of flat-topped hills and plains strewn with weathered boulders. The Etendeka Concession is in Damaraland, which is home to a number of desert-adapted species. The camp is owned by Dennis Liebenberg who has many years of experience in eco-tourism in southern Africa. Children aged eight years and above are welcome.
Accommodation & Facilities
The camp is rustic, simple and inviting with ten en-suite Meru-style tents each with a flush loo, hot and cold running water and open-air bucket showers, and a verandah from which to enjoy the view. Etendeka Mountain Camp does not have a family tent so parents and children need to be divided between tents accordingly. A third child’s bed (under 12 years) can be added to a double/twin tent to make a triple if required although this will be a tight fit. The camp runs on solar power throughout. The tents are connected by pathways to the main dining tent but most meals are enjoyed under the vast Namibian skies. With a maximum of 20 guests at any time, personal attention in a relaxed atmosphere is guaranteed. A plunge pool complete with sun loungers is a great way to spend the afternoon.
Eating & Sleeping
Families eat together here and children are offered smaller, simplified versions of the standard meals. If there are specific dietary requirements please request in advance to allow the kitchen to make the necessary purchases and plan the menu.
There are no formal childcare facilities so parents need to be responsible for their children at all times.
Wildlife & Activities
Activities include exploring the area on foot and in open vehicles with the exceptionally knowledgeable guides. Here, the wildlife lives alongside nomadic pastoralists and is free to roam. Search for Hartmann’s mountain zebra, oryx, springbok and giraffe as well as desert adapted elephant and black rhino, reptiles, small mammals, insects and other arthropods. Many of Namibia’s endemic birds occur here, such as Herero chat, Monteiro’s hornbill, Rüppell’s korhaan and rockrunner. An average annual rainfall of around 100mm supports scattered and often thick-stemmed desert-adapted trees and shrubs and varying grass cover making this a unique environment that offers up Namibia’s subtle but worthwhile charms.
Specifically for children …
Although Etendeka Mountain camp warmly welcomes children from eight years, the camp does not offer specific activities for children. That said, the guides are dedicated to giving young guests the best experience possible by providing activities to suit attention spans.
