Palmwag Lodge stands in a fantastic location nestled next to a palm-lined spring in the Uniab River. It is one of this region's oldest lodges, however its 'lapa' (central dining and lounge area) and its rooms were renovated during 2007.
The lodge is the gateway to the vast Palmwag Concession which covers an area of 5,000km² - a first-class wilderness area. Remember that this is a semi-desert area, so although its densities of wildlife are excellent – they don't compare with reserves further east, in areas of higher rainfall. This region provides habitat for a variety of species of plants and animals that are adapted to semi-desert conditions, some of which are quite rare. The largest of these are the desert-adapted elephants, Hartmann's mountain zebra, giraffe, cheetah and lion.
Damaraland as a whole supports the world's largest population of black rhinoceros which are outside of any national park. The Palmwag Concession is probably home to nearly 70% of these rhinos.
Palmwag Lodge itself now has 15 thatched rooms (including two family units), five luxury tents, plus several campsites. Because of the number of people that can be based here, at times it can feel quite busy. However, on our last visit, the service was still very personal, friendly and efficient.
It has two swimming pools, a pool bar and a big friendly restaurant with a huge veranda where you can sit and while away the hours watching a variety of birds flit in and out of the reed beds in front of you. It is pretty common for elephants to come to this spring for an afternoon drink, and we watched a small herd of elephants drinking here on our most recent visits – fantastic!
Activities from Palmwag
You can use Palmwag Lodge as a stopover, or stay for longer to take part in some of the array of different activities that they offer here. These include daily morning and evening game drives; guided walks, lasting from between three to five hours; and two walking trails, information for which is in a leaflet in your room.
With advance booking, there are also various full-day game viewing and cultural excursions. The adventurous might consider the options of variety of camping trips within the Palmwag Concession. These explore breathtaking landscapes, sleeping out in comfortable dome tents with rustic bush facilities and nature around you. These can last for as long as you wish – from a single night to a much longer trips – and the guides are excellent!
Many of our travellers enjoy a night based at Palmwag Lodge, followed by a night sleeping out in the wilds. Typically they head out in an adapted 4WD for an afternoon's game-drive, and end this around sunset at their private camp. Dinner is served around the fire and the night is under the stars, falling asleep to the sounds of nature. The following morning, they head out on foot, and are guided back to the lodge on an interesting walk lasting three or four hours.
Central facilities: The focal point at Palmwag Lodge is the large, thatched open-plan 'lapa' which houses the Uniab Restaurant, a lounge and a bar. The restaurant has wooden tables spread out and a buffet bar to one side for breakfast. The walls are decorated with beautifully woven baskets, African bush drawings and masks.
Adjacent to the dining area is a small lounge area, where a big sofa has large comfy cushions; a few reference books on Namibia are scattered around. On cooler winter evenings, seek out the tall wood-burning heater between these the dining room and the lounge.
Opposite the lounge area is a small, well-stocked bar, constructed partly out of natural tree parts. At the front of the lapa, two large verandahs look over the reedbeds of the Uniab River, to the mountains in the distance.
Outside a swimming pool with loungers sits under shady palm trees, whilst slightly further away, you'll find a second pool with an accompanying pool-side bar. This is near to the campsite, and so sometimes gets a lively crowd. Palmwag's curio shop which is open form 06:30 to 20:00.
Directions: Heading north on the C34 signposted Palmwag, not far past the junction with the C40, you reach the veterinary fence. 500m past this on the left hand side you will see the sign for Palmwag Lodge.
N.B. If you are driving from the east the route via the C40, over the Grootberg Pass, offers great views of the Damaraland landscape.
Accessible by: Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Half Board
Food quality: When we last visited the standard of food was very good.
Breakfast is served between 06:30 and 09:00, and consists of a large buffet offering cereals, fruit, yoghurt, breads, cheese, meats and hot options.
For lunch (or any time during the day) food is available at the Makalani Pool bar from 10:00 to 22:00 where there is a short menu of snacks ranging in price from N$30 to N$70. If there are more than four of you, then a set lunch can be pre-booked at the Uniab Restaurant for around N$70 per person.
Tea and coffee are available in the restaurant area throughout the day, with cake being provided from 15:00.
Dinner is served in the Uniab Restaurant from 19:00 to 21:00 where a set three-course meal is served. When we were last there, we had a green salad to start, followed by a wonderful steak served with a jacket potato and sour cream, and accompanied by roasted butternut squash and ratatouille. Pudding was a rather indulgent chocolate mousse.
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: No room service available
Drinks included: Tea and coffee are included. All other drinks are extra.
Special interests
Photographic: Set in the dramatic scenery of the ancient Etendeka lava flows of northern Damaraland, Palmwag Lodge not only offers great landscape photography but also the opportunity to photograph the desert-dwelling elephants and perhaps even the black rhino and lion that wander this semi desert region.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for photographic in Namibia
Traditional Cultures: The lodge offers a full-day excursion (or an overnight trip) to visit the Ovahimba people in their villages to the north, in the Opuwo region. You will get a taste of the daily life of this nomadic people, who mostly still live according to ancient traditions and rituals.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for traditional cultures in Namibia
Walking: Palmwag Lodge offers guided walks and marked walking trails (with map) for self-guided walks. With advance booking, we can also arrange for you to camp out at a small, private fly-camp – guided by an expert guide. Then you can spend as much time as you like exploring the concession with your guide on foot.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for walking in Namibia
Wildlife: Palmwag Concession is one of the last wilderness areas in the world outside of a national park. You can see a variety of game including, with a bit of luck, free roaming black rhino, desert-adapted elephant and lion, all in the most spectacular landscape far off the normal tourist routes.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for wildlife in Namibia
Children
Attitude towards children: The lodge has a very good attitude to children – and two special 'family units' that share their own plunge pool.
Age restrictions: They have no age restrictions, however parents should be aware that this camp is not fenced and that dangerous big game does often pass through the camp (elephants are pretty regular visitors).
Activities: Palmwag Lodge do not offer any special services for children.
Equipment: They have a highchair and also have one small bed.
Generally recommended for children: Yes
Central communications
Communications: There is a central phone, fax and email. There is mobile phone reception and you can also purchase phone cards which can be used in the public phone.
TV & radio: No TV or radio is available.
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: Nearest doctor is in Khorixas. Nurses are available closer and there is a medical kit in the lodge. Medi-rescue is also available.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: There are 5 guards on site and they carry 'bear bangers'.
Fire safety: Every room has a fire extinguisher and there are also ones in the central areas.
Extras
Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: There is an extra charge for laundry of between N$3 to N$15 per item.
Money: The lodge will exchange cash only (US$, € and £)
Each room has an electronic combination safe.
Accepted payment: They accept payment with Visa, Mastercard, and cash (US$, € and £).
Palmwag Lodge review
Beautifully located, with view at the funnyshaped vulcanic mountains. Looks like an oasis in the desert (which it actually is) .
Palmtrees and reed where thousands of buntings gather for the night...
Palmwag Lodge review
After Doro Nawas, Palmwag was more lively - it was good to be able to follow walking trails there, instead of having to drive or be driven. I liked the mix of people at Palmwag. The management, howe...
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Palmwag Lodge Visit the Wilderness Safaris website, hover over the camps tab at the top, and find the Palmwag Lodge page for more information.
