VILLA MUSHARA Charming Villa Mushara is situated only 8 km from the Von Lindequist Gate on the eastern boundary of Etosha National Park. The two villas at Mushara Lodge have recently undergone renovations to make them even more fabulous. We get to experience the harsh wilderness of Etosha combined with the exquisite accommodation and cuisine of Villa Mushara. This stark contrast is mirrored in the interior design of the villas through the use of opposing textures. A sophisticated selection of music ranging from Mozart to Santana sets the mood when we step into our villa – a holiday home of 140 square metres located in the middle of the bush. The in-room library attracts me like a moth is drawn to light. Book in one hand and a drink in the other I cuddle up on the comfortable sofa next to the fireplace. Before dinner, a soak in the bathtub is the order of the day, with candles setting the
atmosphere and another drink from the minibar. We come to the conclusion that we cannot leave the fireplace unattended (the best excuse we could come up with), so our dinner is served at the villa. The following day we visit Etosha on a private game drive – a treat for any wildlife photographer! Or anyone who would like to try their hand at photography or simply for anybody who wants to learn about Namibia’s diverse wildlife. When we return to the villa we are spoilt for choice – should we unwind in the lodge’s swimming pool or in our private plunge pool? From the plunge pool we enjoy the exclusive view of a little waterhole with the pleasure of knowing that impalas and warthogs, amongst other wildlife, come to quench their thirst in our backyard. The outside shower is great to quickly wash off before lounging on the deck and doing some yoga stretches, simply because I feel like I need to make use of all the space.
LITTLE ONGAVA We opt for Little Ongava, located directly outside of Anderson Gate, to explore the south-western part of Etosha. Accommodating a maximum of six guests, Little Ongava embodies the ultimate bush seclusion. The lodge is perched on the crest of a hill with magnificent vistas of the plains stretching as far as the eye can see. We settle in at one of the three spacious suites, with our own plunge pool, a “sala” and an outdoor shower. Standing on the balcony overlooking the well-frequented waterhole below the camp with no other buildings in sight, I feel utterly surrounded by nature. This is luxury. Wooden walkways connect the suites with the lounge and dining area. And along the way we stop at all the trees with small metal plates to learn both the scientific and the common names. With knowledgeable guides within reach we hardly need the Wi-Fi. After teatime and a good old chat with the friendly staff we leave on our afternoon game drive to explore the reserve. After just a few minutes our guide has thrilling news for us: there is a pride of lions about a 15 minutes’ drive away. That is nothing compared to the distances people travel to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Although the wildlife is… well, wild, our guide goes the extra mile to ensure that we tick off our desired animal sightings. We hear “white rhino” over the radio and a few minutes later we are treated with the sighting of a mother with her 3-week old calf. If the guide deems the situation safe for both rhinos and guests, a rhino approach is possible – an exhilarating encounter! On the open deck of our room we dine in style under the glittering African night sky. While we are enjoying our aperitif, elephants decide to join us at the waterhole down below. After dinner, we continue our usual exercise. We light up the fireplace, enjoy a nightcap and reflect on our eventful day. And the pampering continues – a hot water bottle keeps my bed warm while I am brushing my teeth.
TRAVEL NEWS NAMIBIA SPRING 2018
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