Arriving at this lovely lodge after travelling through Namibia is quite a surprise. It’s situated in the far west of Etosha, the largest national park in this beautiful country. You can even see game while ‘en route’ through the park. The several waterholes around Dolomite Camp assure great wildlife sightings besides providing stunningly dramatic and interesting landscapes.
A waterhole close by...
The camp is such a welcomed respite after several days of camping and sleeping in roof tents on top of our 4wD-cars. The lodge is an equally prime destination for honeymooners, or a ‘boys-only’ safari trip. And surprisingly it is also very suitable for families with children. Children under the age of 6 can even stay free of charge.
Etosha National Park offers a range of accommodation options. The three main camps, Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni are ideal for camping or staying in a chalet. Dolomite Camp is one of the smaller and more exclusive locations on the west side and, thus, is further down the park. The western part of this park normally doesn’t have as much game as the eastern part, but if you do think of travelling across the West, combine your trip with a good sleep at Dolomite Camp. Even here, you have a good chance of seeing some game, such as rhinos, giraffes, elephants, leopards, lions, springboks, spring hares, gemsboks, red hartebeests and lots of birds. What’s more, the seasonal flowers on Dolomite Hill are an absolute highlight for botanists.
Upon arrival, leave your car at the bottom and get ferried up to the reception. Then delight the children by going to your chalet in a golf cart. If you are up for a short hike, the alternative is to walk with a bit of climbing. But, if you have young children or don’t feel like climbing, you’d better not choose the highest chalets on the mountain. The lodge is named after an outcrop and contains a high percentage of the mineral dolomite. This results in amazing rocks and views of a spectacular sunset.
At the bar of Dolomite Camp
The lodge is managed by the NWR (Namibia Wildlife Resort). The atmosphere is friendly and based on a ‘take it easy’ attitude, but perhaps you shouldn’t expect the highest level of service;. The staff live in a house nearby. They work long hours on end before being able to return home to see their families. Dinner and breakfast are fine, though the choice is limited. The bar is a great place to relax and socialise with other guests if you so desire. And bear in mind that the African WiFi connections are not that stable.
There are 20 luxurious safari tents to sleep in. A great décor, comfy beds with fresh bed linen, air conditioning, a mosquito net and double doors that open onto a small terrace with a superb view. Each tent has its own a fridge, so you can fill it up with your own food and drinks. Despite the fact that the food served here comes from far, you canstill enjoy a really good dinner and breakfast in the restaurant. And don’t miss out on the opportunity to enjoy the star-filled sky at night.
When making a reservation for a tent at Dolomite Camp, ask if the swimming pool is open at the time of your intended stay. Your children will definitely enjoy using the swimming pool. The infinity pool is quite special and the surrounding lounges are very comfortable. The chalets are widely spread out over the ridge; it’s really nice to ask for a chalet with a view of the waterhole. Some tents even have a private plunge pool.
Chilling at the pool after a long drive
You can drive around the park yourself, so no need to book a game drive. But the knowledgeable guides that accompanying you on such a drive surely do add to the experience. The reception can assist you if you want to go for a night game drive. This is quite special as normally no one is allowed in the park at night. It’s thus an exciting activity for adults and children alike and it’s definitely worth trying to look out for any wildlife in the dark.
WOW
# Dramatic and interesting landscapes with stunning views and sunsets.
# Great waterholes from where you can view lots of animals as well as night game drives for a beautiful experience with your children.
# Luxurious lodges and tents and an infinity pool to cool off in once the animals are out of sight.
