Reviews of Etendeka Mountain Camp
(95%) From 49 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Etendeka Mountain Camp review
A unique and delightful experience!
Due to the dot on the map we were expecting Palmwag to be a town of some size - ha ha ha! The fence preventing the transport of farm animals was a surprise but the guards were pleasant and let us across to Palmwag Lodge for a drink as we arrived early. We filled up with petrol at the filling pumps.
Bonnie was at the collection spot when we returned so we parked in the secure parking and transferred over to his vehicle for the 1 1/2 hour trip to the Lodge. This drive turned out to be a lovely bonus game drive. The camp is really in the middle of nowhere with some lovely scenery surrounding it. The basic tents have been renewed and are larger than previously with comfortable beds and an outdoor bucket shower that works very well and is great fun besides!
Beer, wine and soft drinks are included and the supplied water is drinkable. You are given water bottles to keep for the duration of your visit that you fill up from the chilled water dispenser in the dining area.
The dining area lacks a little character but is due to be upgraded in the near future. The food was simple and delicious.
We went on a walk with Bonnie in the morning which was very enjoyable. I had been worried about this due to a recent knee replacement but the walk was interesting and relatively gentle. Everyone is given a walking stick just to aid with stability on some of the rockier parts.
The game drive in the afternoon with Dennis was informative and fascinating even though the elephants were not in the area. We saw a wide variety of game and heard lions and hyaena during the night as well as having zebra and Springbok around our tent. We saw a variety of game on the way out as well.
Dennis and Bonnie are laid-back gentlemen and provide a relaxed, informative stay with no frills but ample comfort and delightful conversation.
A truly wonderful experience that I am so glad Tracey suggested so strongly. It would have been a poorer trip if we missed this stop.
Etendeka Mountain Camp review
This was one of our favourite places. It may not be the most luxurious camp but what they do, they do extremely well.
The food was wholesome and delicious - some of the best we tasted on our trip. The tents were very comfortable and we were made to feel extremely welcome.
The beauty of Etendeka is its location in the middle of nowhere. Don't expect to see an abundance of wildlife here - come for the solitude. Highly recommended.
Great experience in remote setting
Very experienced,enthusiatic and dedicated owner Dennis, asst manager Bonnie, supported by good staff.
Walks and safari drives very enjoyable and informative in amazing environment.
Food was outstanding, homemade and could be on a menu in a quality restaurant. They also catered well for a vegetarian.
We were well looked after and even enjoyed the bucket showers.
Great stay at Etendeka
Absolutely beautiful location with breathtaking views, very good guides with great local knowledge, loved the stargazing.
Also great to be able to go out on unguided walks. And bucket showers are suprisingly good :)
Etendeka Mountain Camp review
A fabulous stay - one of our holiday highlights. Impressive hospitality, top marks on 'green' creditentials, great activities organised by Bonnie. Would liked to have stayed longer!
Read more about the whole safariA fantastic wilderness experience
We were lucky to be the only guests at Etendeka and so had exclusive guided walks and drives, accompanied by the very knowledgeable Bonnie. Although Etendeka is quite expensive, with the 2 x 1.5 hour "nature" drives from the pick up point to the camp, the guided walk and the official nature drive, it is good value. The setting is remote and beautiful and a great place to chill out. The outside bucket shower was great, but not to be attempted early morning in the winter!
Read more about the whole safariEtendeka- the real wilderness
Wow. This place felt really off the beaten track. It took some time to get to but it was very much worth it. It felt like being out in the true wilderness, with nothing but rolling hills (and desert elephant) around you, and nothing but sky above you (and what a sky it was!). Dennis, the owner, gave us a great welcome. Great story telling and a bit of astromomy in the evenings by the fire. We are so happy to have experienced Etendeka and would love to return.
Read more about the whole safariEtendeka
Tented room very comfortable in a stunning setting. Nice to see a very sustainable approach to tourist accomodation. Excellent food. Saw little of the staff, but those we did see were helpful. Interesting and informative walk and game drive.
Read more about the whole safariEtendeka Mountain Camp review
Great setting.
Very knowledgable owner/guide.
Plenty of wildlife.
The "Boni" show
This was a very different experience to anywhere else we stayed and impossible to compare. Remote location that requires you to leave your car at Palmwag - 18 kilometers away and use the lodge's 4x4 transport to reach Etendeka. Exciting in itself as we saw lots of wildlife on the way. Cautionary note - try not to get to Palmwag too early (currently 3.30pm pick-uo) as there is NOTHING apart from a shop/shack for a drink and a packet of crisps! Extra time really spent waiting in your car in the heat.
We found the camp a wonderful place to relax and there was plenty of time in between the morning walks and afternoon drives to do so.
PLUS points: -
Tented accomodation - rustic but exciting in the wind!
Bucket showers - good fun and do the job!
Excellent home-cooked food - the best we had, some of which was cooked on the fire.
Boni the guide - really made the three days we had there very special. His knowledge, humour and personality made all the difference. He even introduced the evening meal in his own "click" langauge and took us on very interesting and informative walks into the bush. You felt it was a privilege to have met him. We learned so much (didn't know you could tell so much from dung!).
Game drives with Boni were again very interesting and succesful - we saw loads of wildlife and he pointed out to us fresh lion prints.
NEGATIVES - None - we loved it!, but it may not be for those who like their luxury or don't like walking.
We have always believed that acting responsibly is the only way to approach tourism and we're one of
the few companies to hold AITO's original coveted 5-star status for responsible tourism. It's a lead
that others are now following.
