Namibia, Okahirongo, Elephants, breathtaking scenery, mountains and gorges

Puros in Kaokoland is one of the last truly wild areas in Namibia. Elephant, black rhino, giraffe and lion live together with the Himba in a rugged, breathtaking scenery of mountains and gorges.

Kaokoland, now part of the Kunene Region is wild Namibia in all its majesty. From here and north to the Angolan border is truly wild and no one but the Himba and a very few lucky guests share this wilderness with the amazing wildlife which has found a way to survive in this environment.

Okahirongo lodge sits in the midst of this region and pampers guests with luxurious comfort, surrounded by such harsh nature. Days are spent on safari or guests may prefer to laze by the pool or in the library or lounge, drinking in the changing moods of the desert.

The chalets are created in desert hues, each with its own character and decorated with local sculpture and art, showing how the Himba interpret their home through so much colour and shape. The cuisine is a delicious fusion of Italian and Africa, inspired by the lodge owners and fresh produce comes straight from the organic garden. Dinner is served by candlelight in the dining room or fireside in the Boma, beneath the wide Namibian sky.

Activities include morning and afternoon game and scenic drives, tracking desert-adapted elephant traversing the dry riverbeds on their way to fresh water springs. Guests can go lion tracking with the Desert Lion Project to gain an insight into how life survives in this harsh climate. There is hiking along the Hoarib River, morning desert walks and bird watching and after dark one can take a night drive to encounter the desert’s nocturnal inhabitants. It is fascinating to visit the nearby Himba village and get a taste of the hardy lifestyle and rich culture of these nomadic desert people and the memory of a stay at Okahirongo will last forever.