Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge

We chose to stay at Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge (16-19 April) due to its different scenery and location bordering Botswana across the Linyanti River in the most south easterly part of Namibia’s Kavango region. We felt it would give us some impression of what the Okavango Delta was like. And it didn’t disappoint. Our first afternoon game drive took us about 45 minutes along a very bumpy grassy track between vast, flat fields of grasses, that local communities use to thatch their houses, before reaching more sandy trails. Big sky country with open plains and large trees scattered in the mix and very different to our previous locations. Saw a large herd of wildebeest and another of buffaloes in the distance. The next morning, we did the 4-hour game drive/river cruise. After 2 hours I kept wondering where the river was, but it had been there the whole time, out of sight, hidden below in the reeds. We climbed down into the pontoon and took a leisurely trip through water lilies and grassy reeds, dodging groups of hippos around the bends, at eye level with shore birds and baboons, and watched a large herd of about 13 elephants appear through the trees on the Botswana side of the river while we stopped for drinks. Very peaceful, no other people or vehicles around and how I’d imagined the Delta. That afternoon after lunch, while resting in the impressive lodge area, the heavens opened, and it felt like a bucket of water pouring down on us for 1 ½ hours solid. We cancelled our morning trip because it was very wet and did the guided walk with Stefan in the afternoon, which was informative and interesting. We learnt how to make “chili smoke bombs” to deter elephants from communal crops amongst other useful info! The night drive gave us an entirely different perspective of the park – we saw a black-tailed civet, a serval which looked like a small leopard, several spring hares hopping like kangaroos – none of which we’d seen before. The next morning, we were grateful to be able to follow Stefan back to Sangwali in our own vehicle through/around black mud holes, backtracking and off-roading where the path had disappeared. We enjoyed the remoteness and the luxury of not seeing any other cars around. The tents were comfortable and adequate, and all staff were friendly and helpful. We saw several water buck at the camp’s waterholes in the evening.

The lodge has a remote location, why you are surrounded by nature. An elephant family was our welcoming committee, feeding right next to our tent. A once in a lifetime experience. The deck, where all the meals are serve is overlooking a water hole and we were lucky enough to have elephants coming every night to drink, whilst we enjoyed our lovely diner.

I spent to 2 nights in this beautiful, vibrant and charming place, full of good energy, immersed in an unparalleled environment. I just have lovely things to say, the staff was very professional and friendly, the food was good and abundant, the kindness of the owner was 20/10, always ready to help and make you feel at home. We dream to be back soon.