Namibia: Ongula Village Homestead Lodge updates

Ongula Village Homestead Lodge

Located in rural northern Namibia, a stone’s throw from Ondangwa, north of Etosha National Park.

Proud to be the first property in Namibia to offer visitors and travellers a realistic introduction to the centuries-old lifestyle and culture of the Owambo (pronunciation: oh-vam-bo) people.

Watch, participate and immerse yourself in the daily lifestyle and traditional chores of the Owambo people, such as pounding mahangu; basket weaving, clay-pot making and marula oil squeezing  ...not to worry, an experienced craftsman/woman will assist you to create a gift that you can take away with you.

During the first 3 months of 2022, extensive renovations were done at the Mountain Lodge and the complete rebuild of Eagle's Rest main area. Mountain Lodge's main entrance, dining area and kitchen have been upgraded to ensure a streamlined and efficient service going forward, and the entire main area at Eagle's Rest, including the dining area, bar, kitchen and outside veranda was rebuilt.

Updates are as follows: 

° Homestead Tour: Visit the active homestead next to the lodge, where guests can observe the set up and learn about the different traditions and rules. Experience the local distillery and learn how they make "Ombike" schnapps or grappa as called by many. 

° - depart at 08h00 and 16h00 (November through to April)

° - depart at 08h00 and 15h00 (May through to September)

° Village Walk ushers you to different places in the community,  learn how to pound mahangu, basket weaving and where the local people collect water and fire wood. Explore the wide range of trees, shrubs and their use in the community.

° - depart at 16h00 (November through to April)

° - depart at 15h00 (May through to September)  (about 3 hours duration)

° Donkey Cart Sundowner Tour

° Nakambale Museum Tour

° Half day trips can be arranged to the museum (a legacy of the Finnish missionaries who brought Christianity to Namibia). Visit the open market and the Ohanje Craft Centre before making a stop over for a picnic lunch. The tour is concluded with a visit to the Oshigambo River as guests learn about the fauna and flora and the historical activities that took place between the 18:00 and 19:00.

° Music / drum & Dance Experience

° Art & Musical Festival Package

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Namibia: Gondwana Collection new lodge

#Namibia #KingNehaleConservancy #GondwanaCollection #EtoshaNationalPark #Africa #NehalelyaMpingana #OndongaTraditionalAuthority #Owambo

Gondwana and the King Nehale Conservancy Join Forces

Exciting developments are afoot, as the Gondwana Collection Namibia signed a Joint Venture Agreement with the King Nehale Conservancy on 28 June 2018. The agreement will allow Gondwana to develop and construct a new lodge within the Conservancy, about 5 km north of the King Nehale Gate to the Etosha National Park. The envisioned lodge will host 40 rooms, which will pay homage to the rich cultural heritage of the area. Furthermore, it enables the conservancy to generate an additional income.

“We at Gondwana are extremely humbled and excited about this opportunity. Etosha, together with our traversing rights into exclusive parts of Etosha, will remain the anchor of this lodge,” says Gys Joubert, Managing Director of the Gondwana Collection. “This location also affords us the opportunity to open up the wonderful tourism potential of the four O regions. The modern traveller wants to experience and interact with the local cultures and we hope to play our part, together with the local communities, to explore this last frontier of Namibian tourism.”

The King Nehale Conservancy is situated along the northern border of the Etosha National Park. To the north, the conservancy is surrounded by the pulsating life of the communal areas of the Oshikoto, Oshana, Ohangwena and Omusati Regions. The new Gondwana lodge gives guests the opportunity to combine the natural wonders of Etosha with the cultural vibrancy of the Owambo people. Construction is scheduled to commence towards the end of the year.

The King Nehale Conservancy was registered in September 2005 and has been named after the late Nehale lya Mpingana, King of the Ondonga Traditional Authority. The area is characterised by vast and spectacular landscapes including the Andoni Plains, artesian springs and woodlands. Guests will experience antelope grazing amongst cattle and abundant birdlife attracted by diverse habitats.

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