Otjibamba Country Lodge: Our full report

Otjibamba Country Lodge is set within its own private game ranch in Namibia's Central Highlands, just 1 km off the main B1, and about 4km south of the town of Otjiwarongo. It's primarily a comfortable overnight stop for those travelling between Windhoek and Etosha National Park.

None of the Expert Africa team have visited Otjibamba Country Lodge very recently – since it was bought by the 'County Lodge' chain, and changed its name from simple 'Otjibamba Lodge'. However, we suspect that relatively little has changed; Otjibamba probably still feels more like an anonymous hotel than a lodge!

Otjibamba still has 20 detached chalets, which are set out in rows separated by lawns and furnished, we're told, in an 'Afro-colonial' style. All the bungalows have spacious hotel-style bedrooms with two double beds, a desk and a small sitting area with chairs, as well as air-conditioning, a TV and a telephone. Adjacent to the bedroom is a medium-size en-suite bathroom, complete with a bath tub and a separate shower cubicle. In the front, there's a small veranda overlooking the gardens and a secure parking area for self-drivers.

The central facilities at Otjibamba Country Lodge include an outdoor swimming pool, a conference facilities for up to 40 persons, a reading room, and a well-stocked curio shop. There's also a large, comfortable lounge area, a dining room, a bar, and a restaurant serving an à la carte menu (including game specialities) with a selection of South African wines. For visitors seeking privacy, dinner can be served in your room.

Although Otjibamba Lodge is mainly used as a convenient overnight base, it's also has some fairly limited possibilities for game viewing on its own 'private game park', which covers 2.2km². Here you'll find native species including giraffe, eland, oryx, blue wildebeest, ostrich, springbok, zebra, kudu and impala – as well as exotic njala, blesbok, black wildebeest and waterbuck, none of which are native to this particular area.

Guests can either drive through Otjibamba's little game area in their own vehicle, or guide themselves along one of a handful of marked walking trails, which vary from 15 minutes and two hours in duration, and give visitors the opportunity to experience game at very close range. On the edge of this game area, the Country Lodge has a small waterhole which is frequently visited by some of the game and can be seen from all the guest chalets.

Our View

From its appearance, Otjibamba Country Lodge seems to be more of a modern hotel set in the country than a guest farm. Well positioned between Windhoek and Etosha, and very close to the main road, it's a perfect halfway stop for those travelling to Namibia's north.

Geographics

Location: Central Highlands, Namibia

Ideal length of stay: 1-2 nights

Directions: Otjibamba Country Lodge is located along the B1 between Windhoek and Etosha, 4km south of Otjiwarongo.

Key personnel

Owner: Otjibamba Lodge is owner-run.

Food & drink

Usual board basis: B&B

Dining style: Individual Tables

Children

Attitude towards children: Children are welcome at Otjibamba Country Lodge.

Generally recommended for children: Yes – although as is usual in Africa, children need to be supervised constantly by their parents.

Notes: Children younger than 5 years old are free of charge.

Central communications

Communications: There's a telephone in every guestroom.

TV & radio: All the rooms at Otjibamba Country Lodge are equipped with a TV.

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Dangerous animals: Moderate Risk

Security measures: Otjibamba Country has a 24 hour reception and secure parking facilities in front of the guest chalets.

Extras

Laundry facilities: 0