THE DREAM STARTS HERE
Far from the crowd, in a wild and isolated corner of southern Namibia, you will find a uniquely private hideaway. The Sandfontein Lodge & Nature Reserve is a magical destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Home to arid plains, dry riverbeds and the mighty Orange River, Sandfontein has just five eco-conscious bungalows. It’s a soul-stirring place where guests have all they need to relax and reconnect with nature.
Our Philosophy:
• Silence, stars, seclusion.
• Find yourself. In the middle of nowhere.
• The ultimate luxury is real space, solitude and tranquility – not easily found.
• One of Africa’s largest private nature reserves at 200,000 acres (81,000 hectares), 25 km of Orange River frontage and a maximum of 10 guests (1 guest per 81 square km!).
• Reconnect with nature, relish the silence, sleep under the stars.
• No timetables. You decide the what, where and when.
• Relive the battlefields of Sandfontein (1914) and Norechab (1906).
• Rock-amour. Boulder fields. A geological paradise.
• Canoe. Hike. Fish. Bird-watch. Track on foot. World-class star gazing. Scenic drives.
The Lodge
a. 4 chalets + 1 suite = 5 rooms in total sleeping two each – maximum of 10 guests
b. 20 metre lap pool
c. Children are welcome
d. To preserve its magical silence, the lodge operates entirely on solar energy (therefore NO air-conditioning!)
e. The kitchen is supplied with delicious fresh produce from the lodge’s dedicated organic vegetable garden
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
It’s easy to fall in love with the peaceful bungalows at Sandfontein, and with the cool inviting 20 metre lap-pool.
But as soon as the morning sun throws light over the rippling Namibian mountains, birds begin to sing, butterflies flutter into life, and the reserve’s big game animals gradually start to awaken, giving visitors a very good reason to get out and explore one of Africa’s largest privately owned nature reserves.
WHAT TO DO…?
No timetables, no constraints. You decide what, where and when.
1. Scenic and sundowner drives. Animals outnumber visitors at Sandfontein by more than 400 to one. But the reserve is bigger than the island of Singapore and the animals are free to roam across the wild terrain. Discover the beauty of Sandfontein on a scenic drive and sighting one of the animals on the huge reserve is a bonus!
2. Hiking and nature trails.
3. Canoeing, fishing and/or bird-watching on the Orange River.
4. Photography: earthly ecstasy for photographers – the dramatic landscape, fauna and flora, and ever-changing light devours both film and memory.
5. World-class star-gazing: Because Sandfontein is remotely located in the second least densely populated country on Earth, the night sky and star-gazing is, quite literally, a staggering experience for those unaccustomed to it. In fact, it is so remarkable that scientific teams have made use of the lodge to observe and measure the specific events unfolding in the universe.
6. Rock-amour: For lovers of geology, Sandfontein is a playground waiting to be discovered. The scale of the landscape dwarfs you as you wander amongst giant boulder fields. Diverse formations and rock types, including deposits of beryl, amethyst and tantalite, make Sandfontein something of a geological oddity.
7. Air safaris and flights over the Fish River Canyon (by prior arrangement, charges apply).
THE ANIMALS
Sandfontein has the privilege of being home to more than 3,000 animals including but not limited to aardvark, baboon, eland, giraffe, jackal, klipspringer, kudu, leopard, oryx (gemsbok), ostrich, red hartebeest, springbok and zebra.
While vehicle-based safaris can be undertaken day or night, Sandfontein is very large and therefore the animal density is relatively low.
THE BATTLE OF SANDFONTEIN
As the site of the legendary 1914 Battle of Sandfontein, the reserve is rich in historical significance. The combined British and South African forces, more than 2,500 in number, with some 4,300 support animals, were desperate for water.
They were ambushed and ultimately defeated by the German colonial troops, comprised of four machine-gun units, ten artillery units, and 1,700 riflemen. At the end of the battle, 50 enemy were dead, 100 injured and some 200 prisoners taken. The clash is the only battle during World War One where the South African forces suffered a resounding defeat at the hands of the lesser German troops.
Today the landscape is a living museum sprinkled with mini ramparts, shells and food tins - clues as to how the troops tried to survive in this dramatic landscape. Two German war graves lie on Sandfontein – one within walking distance of the lodge – and are still maintained by the German government.
THE BATTLE OF NORECHAB
Another living museum, also part of Sandfontein Nature Reserve, is the Battle of Norechab that took place on 14 February 1906 and was planned by the Nama (then known as the Hottentots) against the Schutztruppen.
200 Nama approached the German camp under the cover of night and they started their attack at first light. The Schutztruppen were ready for battle within six minutes, having been joined by a neighbouring division of 30 men who had heard the gunshots. The attack failed and the Nama were defeated. The Germans suffered five deaths and a further seven were wounded. As the Nama were unable to give their dead a proper burial, and because there is no written record of their account, we can only find out more information on their losses through further research.
THE AIRFIELD
& “DESERT CLASS” LOUNGE
• Sandfontein’s excellently maintained airfield is approximately 5 kilometers west of the lodge.
• GPS coordinates: S28°43’11? E18°30’38?. Length: 1,400 meters. Elevation: 2,150 feet. Runway Headings: 09/27.
• Gradient is 3% - slopes UP from east to west and therefore we recommend landing on runway 27.
• A good windsock is maintained at the threshold of runway 09. Four brick run-up pads are also provided for parking and engine-checks.
ORABO RIVER VILLAGE
OraBo, a portmanteau of “Orange” and “Bohemian” is a tiny village originally established decades ago as an Italian mission station. Located a few hundred metres from the Orange River, OraBo offers self-catering accommodation set within the Sandfontein Nature Reserve. The fishing is world-class.
There are two comfortable self-catering guest houses that can accommodate up to six guests per house. Camping is also available at designated spots for tents and motorhomes.
The GPS coordinates are: S.28 85202 E.18 57648.
