Ndhovu Safari Lodge

Opened in 1989, Ndhovu Safari Lodge is the oldest establishment of its kind on the Okavango River. The area is home to large game such as elephant and hippo and to more than 400 different bird species such as the black-crowned night heron, purple gallinule and carmine bee-eater – heaven for any ornithologist. Ndhovu Safari Lodge also offers houseboat safaris on the mighty Okavango. During the rainy season the area around the lodge is very often flooded; then Ndhovu is transformed into an island on the Okavango.

Q Overview

Welcome to Ndhovu Safari Lodge

Ndhovu Safari Lodge is situated just inside the western end of the Zambezi Strip, close to the Popa Falls on the western bank of the Okavango River, overlooking the Bwabwata Game Park.

The Lodge provides accommodation in luxury tents, all with en-suite shower facilities. For those seeking something special, and particularly close to nature, there is also an en-suite floating tent. Here you may experience close encounters with crocodiles and hippos at night . . .

An exclusive campsite is also available.

The lapa, housing the restaurant and bar, overlooks the riverbank which is often frequented by elephants and hippos.

Over 400 species of birds have been seen at the Lodge. There are ample opportunities for spotting some of them, or the wild animals and water creatures around the Lodge, nearby in the Mahango Game Reserve or further afield in the Zambezi Game Park (Bwabwata National Park).

The Lodge also offers a varied range of optional guided tours and other activities to keep Guests busy during their stay, or you may prefer simply to relax in the sun, or in the shade of the plentiful trees.

Ndhovu Safari Lodge is ideally located for those wishing to stop-over on their way to or from Victoria Falls, some 400 km further east.

Whatever you choose to do, you will be assured that your hosts will do their best to ensure your stay will be a truly unforgettable African bush experience.

Q Driving Direction

Location and How to Get to Ndhovu Safari Lodge/ Map

Ndhovu Safari Lodge is 340km from Katima Mulilo making it very approximately half-way between Etosha and the Victoria Falls or the Okavango Swamps in Botswana, so it makes an ideal stopover
or short stay on the journey there and/or back. Ndhovu is only ten minutes' drive from the Bagani airstrip.
By road it is 20km from Bagani Bridge (Divundu), or 225 km from Rundu.

Directions to Ndhovu Safari Lodge

Take the tar road east from Rundu, or west from Katila Mulilo, to Divundu
At Divundu, turn south on to the D3403 signposted to Popa Falls
After 20km take the turn off signposted left to to Ndhovu Safari Lodge

Distances to/from Ndhovu Safari Lodge

Mahango Game Reserve: 2km
Popa Falls: 12km
Okavango River: 0km
Bagani Airfield: 8km
Rundu: 220km
Katima Mulilo: 340km
Etosha: 575km (approx.)

Ndhovu Lodge Co-ordinates:-

S 18° 08' 10" E 021° 40' 44"

Bagani Airfield Co-ordinates:-

S 18° 07' 06" E 021° 37' 41"
Runway Length: 1100m gravel
Runway designated: 0826

Q Facilities

The Lodge Grounds feature beautiful lush, shaded lawns sloping gently down to the riverbank.

The charming thatched lapa provides uninterrupted views of the riverbanks where elephants and hippos frequently converge at dusk, providing a unique accompaniment as Guests enjoy their sundowners and delicious three-course meals.

The Lodge boasts an attractive swimming pool.

Ndhovu Lodge operates its own cruise boat to offer a programme of guided river trips. Also available are a wide range of interesting excursions ranging from fishing and birding to local village tours and cross-border trips to visit the vast collection of ancient rock paintings and drawings discovered in the Tsodilo Hills in Botswana.

Q Activities

Activities at Ndhovu Safari Lodge

Morning or Afternoon Boat Cruise
About 90 minutes cruising the Okavango with a chance to spot wildlife along the riverbanks, try a little fishing for the famous tigerfish perhaps, or simply relax in the sun. Snack and drink included.

Sundowner Cruise
Take in the evening game movements, bask in the romantic glow of a sunset, the like of which can only be seen in Africa - all with a cool, refreshing sundowner in your hand . . .

Morning or Afternoon Game Drive
Visit the riverine swamplands of the Mahango Game Reserve just 2 km away. Excellent opportunities to view elephant, buffalo, red lechwe and sable antelope, countless birds and other animals in this prolific area.

Buffalo Park Drive
An exciting safari drive through Buffalo Park, now part of the newly formed Bwabwata National Park soon to become the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. Unequalled opportunities for sighting the enormous variety of wildlife this region boasts.

Day Excursion to Tsodilo Hills, Botswana
Tsodilo Hills, site of the world's largest single collection of rock paintings, won UNESCO World Heritage status in 2001. More than 4,500 paintings and drawings dating back as long as 10,000 years survive to provide an unparallelled insight into the area's history.

Other Activities
Fishing, visiting a local village, bird-watching - all are popular with Guests, or just relax on the Lodge's lawns or cool off in the pool.

Q Accommodation

Eight Luxury Tents

Twin Beds
Private en-suite facilities
Six tents with shower One with bath
River-facing verandah with table and chairs
Overlooking the Okavango River and Zambezi Game Park offering magnificent opportunities for viewing game
Mosquito net over each bed
Two Tents can accommodate an extra bed or mattress for a child
One Tent has Three Beds and en-suite shower

2 Floating River Suite
Facilities as above with en-suite shower

3 Campsite - Self-Catering (One is an Exclusive site, accommodates up to ten people)
Electricity supply point
Dinner available for Campers not wishing to prepare their own meal

Light Lunch, Full Lunch, Lunch Packs available for all Guests
Please request in advance