Update November 2011 Unfortunately as of 30th November 2011 Mountain Homestead is closed and no longer operating as a lodge, with no plans in the forseeable future to reopen.
Formerly known as Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp, Mountain Homestead stands on a private reserve, 40km south-east of Sesriem, and shares a border with the Namib-Naukluft National Park to the west.
None of the Expert Africa Team has, as yet, visited this lodge personally since it re-opened under new management in July 2010 (although we did know it well under its previous identity). With this in mind here is what we do know about it.
Mountain Homestead shares a 'welcome area' with Kulala Wilderness Camp where guests arriving in 2WD vehicles will find secure parking under shade. On arrival, self-driving guests are collected here for the short but steep and bumpy drive to the camp, which requires a 4WD vehicle. Guests arriving in a 4WD vehicle can drive to the top of the hill beside the lodge's main area, and park there.
Mountain Homestead is built near the top of the hill with nine thatched chalets dotted along the ridge, each blending in beautifully with the natural rock and desert scenery. Stone footpaths lead around the hill to the chalets, which are linked to this by their own raised wooden walkways. (Read more about the camp's chalets…)
The main area of the lodge is reach through a beautiful polished wooden front door, and capped by a high thatched roof, which is criss-crossed by wooden beams. It's open-plan and very spacious, with white tiled floors, white-washed walls and dark wooden furniture – and incorporates some large, exposed rocks from the hillside beneath. The décor is tasteful, with an African artifacts sprinkled around the main area, and hung on the walls. To one side of the room is a large dining table – the venue for many evening meals.
There is a 'help-yourself' tea/coffee station set out against the far wall with a huge mirror hanging over it on the wall. In the opposite corner, the bar and is stocked with a section of spirits, local beers and wines, and lined with comfortable wooden bar stools.
In front of the bar there are several separate small lounge areas, with comfortable, light colored sofas, with bright scatter cushions with bold African designs and these are set around wooden coffee tables. There are coffee table books to browse through and a guest book to thumb through while enjoying a refreshing cool drink.
The front of the main area has tall glass panels set in dark wooden frames, which can open out onto an outer deck. This deck is partially under thatch, and has comfortable chairs with wonderful views of the desert.
Activities include horse-riding, sun-downer drives, guided walks and excursions to Sossusvlei and the Naukluft Mountains.
Photographic: The Namib Naukluft National Park is possibly one of the most photographed of Namibia's tourist attractions. With breath-taking sunrises and sunsets over the burnt orange dunes, against the black of age old camelthorn trees and the occasional solitary Oryx standing on the ridge of a dune.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for photographic in Namibia
Central communications
Power supply: Generator
Communications: No telephones in any of the rooms or around the camp. There is often mobile reception but guests are discouraged from using their mobile phones in public areas of the camp – and mobile phones are banned from game-drive vehicles.
TV & radio: None
Health & safety
Malarial area: No
Medical care: There is a medical doctor in Mariental. However in cases of serious emergencies, guests are flown out to the Medi Clinic private hospital in Windhoek. But please note that all emergency evacuations are only possible during daylight hours and not after sunset. The camp management have first aid training, to deal with minor injuries, and a doctor is on standby 24-hours (on the phone) to offer necessary advise.
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Security measures: The camp has a main reception gate which is manned most of the day and at night the gate is locked.
Fire safety: There are strategically-placed fire extinguishers in each of the chalets.
Extras
Disabled access: Not Possible
Accepted payment: American Express and Diners Club cards are not accepted, but most other major credit cards are fine as a method of payment.
Mountain Homestead review
The least said about this the better. It is a shadow of its former self in the wilderness safari days. You shouldn't let anyone go here anymore.
Norbert lazily greeted us - our cars all parked...
Excellent lodge
This lodge is in a superb location with fantastic views. It is a pity the rooms do not have full balconies, but they are very comfortable. The atmosphere is very good, the staff friendly and efficie...
Great location, poor service
The setting for Mountain Homestead is great: the view is amazing and the lodge looks fantastic.
It must be noted, however, that the final part of the road is in bad condition, so it will take a while...
