Reviews of Spitzkoppen Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
47 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Spitzkoppen Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Jul-2018, 30 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Spitzkoppen Lodge.
Lion
0% success
Leopard
5% success
Cheetah
0% success
Zebra
100% success
Oryx
14% success
Elephant
5% success
Giraffe
5% success
Brown Hyena
0% success
Spotted Hyena
0% success
Wildebeest
0% success
Mr & Mrs M
Cambridge
"Extraordinary Spitzkoppen"
2 nights Arrived 31 Mar 2025
"Spitzkoppen is an extraordinary place and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say you leave it a slightly different person. There is something magical about the mountains there, and just experiencing them first thing in the morning or in the dead of night, knowing how few people are out there with you, is a bit life-changing.
The road to the lodge is terrible, or it was when we visited in March after a fair bit of rain - apart from a few drops, it was the first they'd had in 9 years. The huge gravel plain with vast granite boulders was green as far as the eye could see. The road was slow but the scenery was fantastic.
The lodge is really impressively run. The management are a charming couple and were very helpful to us. We were in the furthest chalet from the main area (despite asking to be the closest!) which meant a long walk (15-20 mins) which was too far for my husband. They picked us up in a golf cart whenever we wanted, and it was never too much trouble. The chalets are very comfortable with wonderful bed sheets & towels and all amenities you could wish for including a powerful shower, plenty of charging points and a super cold fridge with a small bottle of milk for your morning tea. There is no AC but the fan was sufficient, as even in March the temperature drops quite significantly at night. WiFi is at the main area.
The whole place has been built to leave minimum footprint on the landscape but manages to be very striking in its design, with a bridge over the boulders taking you down to the chalets. Even the bathroom at the main area is a design masterpiece, perched on stilts at the foot of the boulders. There is a small pool cut into the rock which was great for cooling off in the very hot afternoons.
We did a 3-stop tour in the late afternoon on our 2nd day, taking in the bushman art at Small Bushman Paradise and the obligatory photo opp at The Arch. Pietrus our guide was friendly and helpful, and we had a great afternoon with him. There is no game at the camp except some impala and zebra which were brought in to shoot a Hollywood film! They are fed by the staff and other game is not sustainable. But there are lots of dassies and the birdlife is plentiful including some large birds of prey." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
The road to the lodge is terrible, or it was when we visited in March after a fair bit of rain - apart from a few drops, it was the first they'd had in 9 years. The huge gravel plain with vast granite boulders was green as far as the eye could see. The road was slow but the scenery was fantastic.
The lodge is really impressively run. The management are a charming couple and were very helpful to us. We were in the furthest chalet from the main area (despite asking to be the closest!) which meant a long walk (15-20 mins) which was too far for my husband. They picked us up in a golf cart whenever we wanted, and it was never too much trouble. The chalets are very comfortable with wonderful bed sheets & towels and all amenities you could wish for including a powerful shower, plenty of charging points and a super cold fridge with a small bottle of milk for your morning tea. There is no AC but the fan was sufficient, as even in March the temperature drops quite significantly at night. WiFi is at the main area.
The whole place has been built to leave minimum footprint on the landscape but manages to be very striking in its design, with a bridge over the boulders taking you down to the chalets. Even the bathroom at the main area is a design masterpiece, perched on stilts at the foot of the boulders. There is a small pool cut into the rock which was great for cooling off in the very hot afternoons.
We did a 3-stop tour in the late afternoon on our 2nd day, taking in the bushman art at Small Bushman Paradise and the obligatory photo opp at The Arch. Pietrus our guide was friendly and helpful, and we had a great afternoon with him. There is no game at the camp except some impala and zebra which were brought in to shoot a Hollywood film! They are fed by the staff and other game is not sustainable. But there are lots of dassies and the birdlife is plentiful including some large birds of prey." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Zebra
6 sightings
Alan and Di
Chippy
"Spitzkoppen Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 13 Oct 2024
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Average
Sightings Report
Zebra
1 sighting
Jonathan
Newcastle
"Spitzkoppen Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 1 Aug 2024
"A very quirky little place
It was so nice to be able to get out into the local area and walk around and explore by yourself. The hotel itself could have been part of the set for Astroid City, really great light and set in amongst sandstone hills. We only had one night here and had to leave early the following morning so we didn't get to fully appreciate all its facilities.
Rooms were fine (very large comfy bed) and swimming pool set in the rock was a nice feature. Food was good and service attentive and would have liked another day to have tried one of their walking trips." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana
It was so nice to be able to get out into the local area and walk around and explore by yourself. The hotel itself could have been part of the set for Astroid City, really great light and set in amongst sandstone hills. We only had one night here and had to leave early the following morning so we didn't get to fully appreciate all its facilities.
Rooms were fine (very large comfy bed) and swimming pool set in the rock was a nice feature. Food was good and service attentive and would have liked another day to have tried one of their walking trips." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Zebra
4 sightings
K&R
Yorkshire
"Spitzkoppen Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 25 Jun 2024
"A beautiful location and lovely place to walk and discover the surrounding area."
See all these reviews: 20n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Sightings Report
Zebra
Multiple sightings
The Swiss
Switzerland
"Exceptional landscape at Spitzkoppen"
2 nights Arrived 10 Jun 2024
"We booked 2 of the 15 tented chalets and got to stay at Nr 14 & 15 at the far end of the lodge area. Golf carts take you there if you do not fancy walking.
Wonderful privacy, the sites are separated with larger rocks and you feel alone in that desert environment, with just the rock dassies & ground squirrels roaming the boulders. The 5 or 6 zebras on the property are part of the entertainment for the guests; without the fence, the hay & the water, they would not be there. We really enjoyed our 3 nights stay and the activities.
Food is good, nice pool and the sundowners from the sofas deposited at the top of the mountain nearby the common area are spectacular. One morning, we climbed the third highest mountain with our guide Beni (highest being the Gross Spitzkoppe itself, second highest the Pontok). Spotted two black eagles and leopard tracks. Inform yourself exactly about difficulty & length of the mountain hikes.
Climbing the Gross Spitzkoppe is alpinism, none of the 3 hikes is a walk in the park. The trails on the property though are easy to walk on your own and enjoyable. We toured the bushmen paintings with our guide Abraham and the Namibian Eye. Special mention for the kindness of the staff and the owners. The tented chalet and the common area are of a special style. Everything is build from metallic beams and tented, to comply with the temporary nature of the lodge." See all these reviews: 21n in Namibia
Wonderful privacy, the sites are separated with larger rocks and you feel alone in that desert environment, with just the rock dassies & ground squirrels roaming the boulders. The 5 or 6 zebras on the property are part of the entertainment for the guests; without the fence, the hay & the water, they would not be there. We really enjoyed our 3 nights stay and the activities.
Food is good, nice pool and the sundowners from the sofas deposited at the top of the mountain nearby the common area are spectacular. One morning, we climbed the third highest mountain with our guide Beni (highest being the Gross Spitzkoppe itself, second highest the Pontok). Spotted two black eagles and leopard tracks. Inform yourself exactly about difficulty & length of the mountain hikes.
Climbing the Gross Spitzkoppe is alpinism, none of the 3 hikes is a walk in the park. The trails on the property though are easy to walk on your own and enjoyable. We toured the bushmen paintings with our guide Abraham and the Namibian Eye. Special mention for the kindness of the staff and the owners. The tented chalet and the common area are of a special style. Everything is build from metallic beams and tented, to comply with the temporary nature of the lodge." See all these reviews: 21n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Zebra
5 sightings
Mr & Mrs M
Hagley
"Unique setting"
2 nights Arrived 28 May 2024
"Definitely one of the highlights of our 5 week trip.
Superb location. Extremely friendly and efficient staff. Great chef and knowledgeable guides.
Variety of small game/mammals and birds/, lizards etc. Great laundry service too.
Highly recommended." See all these reviews: 26n in Namibia
Superb location. Extremely friendly and efficient staff. Great chef and knowledgeable guides.
Variety of small game/mammals and birds/, lizards etc. Great laundry service too.
Highly recommended." See all these reviews: 26n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Zebra
4 sightings
Mr M.
Ramsgate
"Spitzkoppen Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 16 May 2024
"This was a one night stop to break up a longer drive and also because 2001 A Space Oddessy was filmed in the area.
It was a dusty and bumpy drive to Spitzkoppen, like going over a continuous cattle grid but we were getting used to that. Even when we reached the gate, there was still quite a drive to get to the lodge and it was difficult finding our way. The gate-keeper had given us a map of the area and we were able to use that. The landscapes were dramatic in the afternoon sun with fantastic rock formations and the lodge blended into the surroundings almost invisibly.
The room was comfortable, like a cross between a caravan and a tent and felt rather rickety. It shook as we walked around. However, the bed was comfy and there was plenty of storage, a nice shower room and a sitting out area with chairs and an amazing view.
It was quite a trek across the raised walkways to the main building for dinner and breakfast. Food was average and served on plastic plates which was strange, but the building was nicely decorated with interesting art.
We booked a guided drive with sundowner. The drive part was good and we went to the Small Bushmans Paradise and viewed some rock art, saw the Golden Snake and then went to the rock arch, which was famous. Some people who were on the tour with us said we were lucky that day there were only a few people around and we were able to take some nice empty photos. The previous day there had been hordes of people around . It was surprising how many people there were in such an isolated place but there were some camp sites close by.
We saw zebras which it turned out had been brought in and left behind by a film crew and had become habituated. Fodder was supplied by the lodge (or the park authorities, we never found out which)
The sundowner was not good. We were taken to a spot on the rocks where our view included the park perimeter fence. Our drinks were bottles of commercially pre-mixed Gin and Tonic, drunk from the bottle as there were no glasses. The driver seemed surprised we asked for glasses.
Overall, good for a one night stop and the guided drive, but we don’t recommend the sundowner experience. It would have been better to have had a drink on the terrace of the bar where there were comfortable chairs and still a west facing view." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
It was a dusty and bumpy drive to Spitzkoppen, like going over a continuous cattle grid but we were getting used to that. Even when we reached the gate, there was still quite a drive to get to the lodge and it was difficult finding our way. The gate-keeper had given us a map of the area and we were able to use that. The landscapes were dramatic in the afternoon sun with fantastic rock formations and the lodge blended into the surroundings almost invisibly.
The room was comfortable, like a cross between a caravan and a tent and felt rather rickety. It shook as we walked around. However, the bed was comfy and there was plenty of storage, a nice shower room and a sitting out area with chairs and an amazing view.
It was quite a trek across the raised walkways to the main building for dinner and breakfast. Food was average and served on plastic plates which was strange, but the building was nicely decorated with interesting art.
We booked a guided drive with sundowner. The drive part was good and we went to the Small Bushmans Paradise and viewed some rock art, saw the Golden Snake and then went to the rock arch, which was famous. Some people who were on the tour with us said we were lucky that day there were only a few people around and we were able to take some nice empty photos. The previous day there had been hordes of people around . It was surprising how many people there were in such an isolated place but there were some camp sites close by.
We saw zebras which it turned out had been brought in and left behind by a film crew and had become habituated. Fodder was supplied by the lodge (or the park authorities, we never found out which)
The sundowner was not good. We were taken to a spot on the rocks where our view included the park perimeter fence. Our drinks were bottles of commercially pre-mixed Gin and Tonic, drunk from the bottle as there were no glasses. The driver seemed surprised we asked for glasses.
Overall, good for a one night stop and the guided drive, but we don’t recommend the sundowner experience. It would have been better to have had a drink on the terrace of the bar where there were comfortable chairs and still a west facing view." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Good
Service:
Average
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Sightings Report
Zebra
10 sightings
M and D
France
"Spitzkoppen Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 8 May 2024
"Spitzkoppen Lodge is all about location in our opinion.
It is very nicely located close to the Spitzkoppe (massive) boulders and arch, so the views are beautiful. We found it good and important that the local community gets involved in the running of the hotel and in its financial outcomes.
The area is however quite far away from everything. We would consider it as a stop-over on a long road, or if you are passionate about hiking.
Rooms are quiet spacious. Beds are comfortable.
There was however no air conditioning, no good system of ventilation "by design" (only a fan) and no shadow from trees or else to cool the room during the day - so it was quite difficult to stay inside as a result. The rooms look a bit like curious luxury mobil homes, so not the greatest architecture; and we did not feel like specific decoration efforts had been made, contrarily to other places.
We were allocated room #1, which is the closest to the common area, and linked to the structure where the hotel buggies circulate. This resulted in the room floor vibrating each time a buggy drove past. Luckily this stopped at night. We asked the hotel manager to change room, considering we had asked for a quiet bedroom upfront: he told us he had not been made aware of our request (?) but he acknowledged that the room was far from ideal. No switch was possible though as the hotel and the camp nearby were both fully booked.
Most staff appeared to us as they did not really care about guests, or were even not really welcoming (we did get our bags transported from our car to our room via buggy, but had to do the rest of the carrying ourselves) nor enthusiastic. We had the impression our waitress did not understand English very well, which is OK, but she got no support from senior staff members. It resulted in errors in our orders.
It was also the only lodge where we were not offered to have the room prepared for the night. Only minor points, but all together gave us a mediocre impression.
Activities appeared to us as quite limited. Except for a few zebras on fodder, no wild life was to be seen. We did the self-drive, with 3 stops around Spitzkoppen, and limited explanations from guides from the local community." See all these reviews: 5n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
It is very nicely located close to the Spitzkoppe (massive) boulders and arch, so the views are beautiful. We found it good and important that the local community gets involved in the running of the hotel and in its financial outcomes.
The area is however quite far away from everything. We would consider it as a stop-over on a long road, or if you are passionate about hiking.
Rooms are quiet spacious. Beds are comfortable.
There was however no air conditioning, no good system of ventilation "by design" (only a fan) and no shadow from trees or else to cool the room during the day - so it was quite difficult to stay inside as a result. The rooms look a bit like curious luxury mobil homes, so not the greatest architecture; and we did not feel like specific decoration efforts had been made, contrarily to other places.
We were allocated room #1, which is the closest to the common area, and linked to the structure where the hotel buggies circulate. This resulted in the room floor vibrating each time a buggy drove past. Luckily this stopped at night. We asked the hotel manager to change room, considering we had asked for a quiet bedroom upfront: he told us he had not been made aware of our request (?) but he acknowledged that the room was far from ideal. No switch was possible though as the hotel and the camp nearby were both fully booked.
Most staff appeared to us as they did not really care about guests, or were even not really welcoming (we did get our bags transported from our car to our room via buggy, but had to do the rest of the carrying ourselves) nor enthusiastic. We had the impression our waitress did not understand English very well, which is OK, but she got no support from senior staff members. It resulted in errors in our orders.
It was also the only lodge where we were not offered to have the room prepared for the night. Only minor points, but all together gave us a mediocre impression.
Activities appeared to us as quite limited. Except for a few zebras on fodder, no wild life was to be seen. We did the self-drive, with 3 stops around Spitzkoppen, and limited explanations from guides from the local community." See all these reviews: 5n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Poor
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Average
Sightings Report
Zebra
1 sighting
D&L
New Zealand
"Stunning location"
1 night Arrived 6 May 2024
"Wow! What a stunning location! The chalets were nicely appointed and we sure appreciated that they had a big fan. Awesome charging facilities and great deck facing West to the sunset. The pool is stunning.. Set into the rock (we liked to call it the Human Watering Hole). Lovely staff and food. While we enjoyed the sundowner game drive, it felt like the Guides were less than helpful for those who were slower walkers or couldn't spot the wildlife right away.
Still enjoyed our stay and the golf cart rides over the hill. Would highly recommend." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia; 7n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Still enjoyed our stay and the golf cart rides over the hill. Would highly recommend." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia; 7n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Leopard
1 sighting
Zebra
7 sightings
Mrs W
Bath
"Spitzkoppen Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 23 Sep 2023
"- – although very windy and some rain whilst we were there. Luckily it brightened up the next day so we got to enjoy the views in the sunshine. The lodges are well equipped although they did feel and look like mobile homes on stilts. The lodges are strung out and some are a long way from the main area. They take and collect your luggage (and yourselves!) on a golf cart and you can pre-arrange a time for them to pick you up for dinner. Only problem is if you are at the restaurant and have left something in your room it will take about 15 minute walk to collect!
We did the ‘Small Bushman Tour’ on the afternoon we arrived. There were a lot more people on the tour than I was expecting as they use a vehicle that holds 20 people (and it was pretty much full). The guide was very informative but in hindsight I would have probably have walked/driven to the sights myself rather than being with a crowd.
The staff were very friendly and helpful. We found the food very average and I had a suspicion that most of it was ready made frozen food that was reheated." See all these reviews: 23n in Namibia
We did the ‘Small Bushman Tour’ on the afternoon we arrived. There were a lot more people on the tour than I was expecting as they use a vehicle that holds 20 people (and it was pretty much full). The guide was very informative but in hindsight I would have probably have walked/driven to the sights myself rather than being with a crowd.
The staff were very friendly and helpful. We found the food very average and I had a suspicion that most of it was ready made frozen food that was reheated." See all these reviews: 23n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Sightings Report
Zebra
10 sightings
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