Ozondjou Trails: Our full report
Opened in September 2016 Ozondjou Trails is a tented camp, overlooking Namibia’s Ugab River.
Ozondjou is derived from a Herero word meaning elephant, which is an apt name for a property located close to the Elephant Human Relations Aid (EHRA) base camp. Staying here not only affords a good chance of spotting the areas desert-adapted pachyderms but also benefits them by supporting both EHRA projects and local farmers.As yet no one from Expert Africa has visited Ozondjou Trails, however we know the company which owns the camp well, and we are looking forward to visiting it soon.
Meanwhile, here’s what we know about the camp:
The main area focuses on the mess tent. Inside there is a lounge area and a large communal dining table where all meals are taken. Outside is an outside sitting area, with a firepit, overlooking the ephemeral Ugab River. This makes an excellent spot to soak in the wilderness in the day or perhaps enjoy a spot of star gazing of an evening.
Ozondjou Trails has six twin tents, each with an en-suite shower, wash basin and a flush toilet. The focus here in on the remote nature of the camp and the interactions with the wilderness that this affords. As such the rooms are perhaps not as luxurious as some of the other options in the larger Damaraland area.
The camp itself is proud of its green credentials, they tell us that it is built in such a way that it could be taken down or relocated at any time with no lasting effect on the environment. All power is solar generated and water is provided from a solar powered borehole.
A stay here is generally at least 2 nigths and included all your activities. These include a guided tour of a local farm, a visit to a village school, walks, sundowners, elephant drives and joining EHRA patrol. As well as the elephants gusts might expect to see plains game like zebra, kudu, oryx, springbok, ostrich and giraffe.
Our view
We are excited to see a new camp in a popular area. Ozondjou Trails promises to be a versatile tented camp in an interesting location and we have high hopes for it! We’ll post more details here when we have them, but meanwhile ask us for the latest information.
Namibia expert
Geographics
- Location
- Damaraland, Namibia
- Ideal length of stay
- 2 nights
- Directions
- The camp is situated 4km off the C35 on the road between Uis and Khorixas. Self-drivers will leave their cars and take a short transfer to the camp.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- Camping-style meals are prepared outdoors on open fire or gas.
Special interests
- Cultural experiences
- Many travellers visit Damaraland to seek out the area’s desert-adapted wildlife. Ozondjou Trails not only offers this opportunity but also gives an insight into the life of modern Namibians and the challenges they face of human–wildlife conflict.
- See ideas for Cultural experiences
Children
- Attitude towards children
- No children under 16 years allowed in camp, due to free roaming elephants.
- Property’s age restrictions
- no children under 16 are allowed to stay here.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Ozondjou Trails
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Ozondjou Trails have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
100% success
67% success
67% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Communications
- None
- TV & radio
- None
- Water supply
- Borehole
Sustainability
Inciting PEACE at the heart of the Namibian desert
Ozondjou Trails Camp is actively supporting Elephant Human Relations Aid (EHRA) in their efforts to raise awareness about the conflict between local communities and Namibia’s desert-adapted elephants, and their aim to create a more informed and peaceful form of cohabitation. Although wildlife preservation boosts the revenue generated by tourism, it is difficult to instil this feeling of acceptance among local people who have witnessed elephants compromise their homes and cattle. Profit from projects like Ozondjou Trails sponsor many of EHRA’s initiatives such as the PEACE mission (People and Elephants Amicably Co-Existing). This is a two-day seminar created to teach local people how to live without fear of elephants. Funding covers fuel costs for transporting locals to the seminars and those of printing materials such as instructive handouts, a certificate of attendance and brochures for self-drive tourists outlining important information about the region and safety tips to follow if they encounter elephants.
Donations from Ozondjou Trails Camp have also contributed to rebuilding classrooms in local schools, dormitories or building amenities such as toilets, libraries and a computer network with donated computers.
Guests are encouraged to engage in the project. They can join EHRA-trained guides for their daily patrol, searching for desert adapted elephants and studying their behaviour.
See more great sustainability projects in Namibia
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Fire safety
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Extras
- Disabled access
Other lodges in Damaraland
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Doro Nawas
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Mowani Mountain Camp
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Damaraland Camp
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Etendeka Camp
Etendeka is an owner-run camp in the remote and less visited north of Damaraland. The camp is renowned for it's spectacular guided walking trails.
Desert Rhino Camp
Desert Rhino Camp offers a rare opportunity to track black rhino on foot in one of the last true wilderness areas – an amazing experience.
Camp Kipwe
With comfortable rooms, open-air bathrooms, good food and beautiful scenery, Camp Kipwe offers a variety of nature and cultural excursions.
Grootberg Lodge
On the edge of an ancient plateau Grootberg Lodge has a stunning location and arguably the best views of any lodge in Namibia.
Twyfelfontein C'try Lod.
A large lodge set among the rocks, Twyfelfontein Country Lodge is a convenient base for visiting the rock engravings, which are only 4km away.
Palmwag Lodge
Palmwag Lodge has a great location by a spring in the Uniab River and offers access to an area where you can see a variety of desert-dwelling animals.
Huab Lodge
Huab is a classic little Namibian Lodge which is slightly off the beaten track in a lesser visited part of Damaraland.
Brandberg White Lady
Brandberg White Lady Lodge, nestled at the foot of its namesake, makes a good base from which to visit bushman rock paintings including the 'White Lady'.
Spitzkoppen Lodge
Spitzkoppen Lodge provides stylish accommodation in a beautiful area with guided access to sites of ancient Bushman rock art.
Vingerklip Lodge
Vingerklip Lodge occupies a lovely location, but is a little too far east for guests to visit Damaraland's main attractions.
White Lady B & B
White Lady B&B, a small, comfortable guesthouse, offers a stepping stone to the sites of southern Damaraland.
Khowarib Lodge
Khowarib Lodge has a great location overlooking the Hoanib River. This is one of the few places to offer authentic Himba village visits.
Brandberg Restcamp
Brandberg Restcamp is a simple, no-frills place, close to many attractions, offering sundowner drives, guided hikes up the Brandberg and game drives .
Malansrus Camp
Within easy reach of Twyfelfontein, Malansrus offers a simple but comfortable base for visits to the rock engravings or seek out desert-adapted elephants.
Ugab Terrace Lodge
Ugab Terrace Lodge is a comfortable stopover between Damaraland and Etosha National Park or Namibia’s Central Highlands.
Damara Mopane Lodge
Damara Mopane Lodge is a large 60 room lodge surrounded by beautiful gardens. It can be used as a comfortable stopover between Etosha and the Skeleton Coast
Etendeka Walking Trail
The Etendeka Walking Trail promises to offer a back-to-basics walking and camping experience in one of Namibia's most remote and untouched wilderness areas.
Huab Under Canvas
Huab under Canvas is a no thrills bush camp offering top notch guiding in a remote wilderness area of Damaraland.
Palmwag Sleep-out
Palmwag Sleep-out is a simple camping experience and a great way to enjoy the remote beauty of the vast Palmwag Concession
Onduli Ridge
Onduli Ridge is a no thrills bush camp offering top-notch guiding in a remote wilderness area of Damaraland.
Sorris Sorris Lodge
Overlooking the Brandberg Massif, Sorris Sorris is probably the most luxurious lodge in southern Damaraland.
