Frans Indongo Lodge

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natural stone, wood and reed were used for the houses. Items of daily use in Ovambo – earthen pots, voluminous storage baskets or original wooden figures – serve as decoration to emphasise the African theme, and lend a very special charm to the lodge.

friends. You can have a refreshing dip into the swimming pool, and when the sun starts to set just before dinner you can retreat to the large wooden veranda at the bar or the little observation tower. Both are fabulous places for savouring the enchanting hour of dusk – and keeping an eye on the watering place which is illuminated at night. The rare Nyala, Black Springbok and White Blesbok, Sable and Roan Antelope regularly put in an appearance.

Our gourmet kitchen whips up a variety of venison dishes served with farm-fresh vegetables and salads seasoned with aromatic ingredients from our herb garden.

An air-conditioned auditorium is available for company functions (max. 60 people) and family events (max. 40 people).

Hosts

The lodge is named after its owner, distinguished businessman Dr. Frans Indongo. His career is quite exceptional: a subsistent farmer’s son, tending livestock during his childhood, he went on to become the probably wealthiest man in Namibia – despite Apartheid.

Born in northern Namibia in 1936, Frans Indongo chose to attend a mission school of his own accord. At the age of 20 he became a migrant worker in Walvis Bay. With hard work and extreme thriftiness he was soon able to buy a sewing machine and set himself up as a tailor. Back home, which then was the ‘Ovamboland’ homeland, he started to trade with all kinds of consumer goods. Despite Apartheid and the obstacles it created, he succeeded in setting up supermarkets in various places in the north from 1967 onwards. When Namibia gained independence in 1990 Frans Indongo invested into numerous other business sectors in the country. He employs a staff of 1,400 and still keeps a firm grip on his business empire. He and his wife live in seclusion on a farm close to the lodge.

The hosts at Frans Indongo Lodge are Astrid and Alf Walter. Astrid, a qualified hotel manager, was born on a farm in the vicinity of Kamanjab; Alf is a restaurant specialist and comes from Dresden in eastern Germany. Both have trained in renowned hotels in Germany and gained further experience in Switzerland before settling in Namibia. With their team of seven they see to it that guests experience a sense of complete well-being.

Activities

Through the Savannah on foot or on wheels

Frans Indongo Lodge is situated in the heart of a 17.000 ha (170 km²) farm in the bush savannah. Only a small part of the farm is still utilised for agricultural purposes. The focus now is on caring for the game. Apart from Gemsbok, Zebra, Kudu and Springbok there are also rarer species like Eland, Sable and Roan Antelope, Impala and Black Wildebeest, as well as White and Black Rhino. A game drive in an open off-road vehicle (about two hours) offers plenty of opportunity to watch the animals and take pictures.

Those who like to go exploring on foot, have three trails of differing length (1.5 to 4 hours) to choose from. Quite often antelope will cross your path. The effort of climbing the hilltop is rewarded with wonderful panoramic views of the vast bush savannah plains right across to Waterberg. Furthermore, there is much to learn about trees on the wayside. A botanist has numbered many typical trees and shrubs according to the ‘Pocket List of Southern African Indigenous Trees’. These are standard numbers, used in any good guidebook on plants, so that you can read up on any tree or shrub bearing a number.

Sprint-training for Cheetah

The natural habitat of Cheetah in the wild has shrunk dramatically all over the world. Thus the fastest terrestrial animal on the planet has become a highly endangered species. With about 2,500 animals, Namibia boasts the largest Cheetah population on earth. In order to protect Cheetah in Namibia, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) was founded in 1990.

The CCF information centre is as entertaining as instructive and definitely worthwhile. Cheetah which no longer can be released into the wilds for various reasons, are kept in large enclosures next to the centre. You will be able to take stunning pictures of the big cats. On certain days visitors are also welcome to watch Cheetah at full speed during their sprint-training.

From Frans Indongo Lodge it takes around 45 minutes to drive to the CCF. For this excursion you need about half a day.

Restaurant for vultures

The Rare and Endangered Species Trust (REST), established in 2000, is mainly concerned with protecting the Cape vulture which is an endangered species in Namibia. Once there were seven colonies of about 2,000 birds in the country. Now, only one colony of eleven Cape vultures remains in the cliffs of Waterberg. For observing and studying the birds, REST set up a vulture restaurant with an observation screen. Carrion is regularly laid out at the restaurant, which does attract Cape vultures and hundreds of White-backed and Lappet-faced vultures.

The screen is very suitable for taking good pictures. Visitors can also get acquainted with Nelson, a flightless vulture which is kept in a large aviary. A host of interesting facts about these useful scavengers can be learnt at REST’s research and study centre.

From Frans Indongo Lodge it is a one and a half hour drive to REST. For your encounter with vultures plan two to three hours in the morning or afternoon.

Self drive excursion to Waterberg

Thanks to rich springs, the eastern cliffs of ‘Water Mountain’ are characterised by an almost subtropical abundance of flora. The plateau of this table mountain was proclaimed a nature reserve in 1972. Animal species in need of protection – such as Sable Antelope, Buffalo and Rhino – were resettled there. Furthermore, Rüppell’s parrot and other rare types of birds can be spotted. From the semi-state restcamp a path leads up to the rocks at the edge of the plateau where Rock Hyrax and Klipspringer are found. The historic police station now houses a restaurant with numerous pictures from the olden days.

For this self drive excursion you should reserve one day.

OvaHerero cultural centre

Farm Hamakari is situated east of Waterberg, close to the little town of Okakarara. At Hamakari OvaHerero fighters suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of German troops in 1904. At the historic site a cultural and tourism centre is now being established, which will house an exhibition on the history and culture of the Ovaherero people; local arts and crafts will also be sold there.

The centre is only a short detour on your way to or from Waterberg.

Quick tour of Otjiwarongo

This friendly little town is just a half-hour drive away. OMAUE offers a large selection of local minerals and gemstones. You can join a guided tour of a crocodile farm and learn interesting facts about these primeval reptiles, about breeding them and the processing of crocodile skins. Objects and implements from farms in the area are on show at the local herit.

Location

Frans Indongo Lodge is situated north-east of Otjiwarongo, only 43 km from the town and easily accessible without four-wheel drive on the B 1 tar road (26 km) and the D 2433 gravel road (17 km). Our comfortable lodge thus makes for an ideal stop on the way from Windhoek to Etosha or the country’s north-east.

Facilities

Frans Indongo Lodge Gallery

Frans Indongo Lodge Reviews

“We stayed 1 night here en route from Etosha and received a warm welcome from John on arrival. The thatched rooms were furnished to a really high standard and were very comfortable. Super bathroom, tea and coffee in the room, TV and heater/aircon. The restaurant/bar area and decked terrace looked out over the small watering hole. We didn’t see a huge amount of wildlife but we had been spoilt in Etosha! The set menu dinner was really good – well presented and great service with excellent chocolate brownies! The next day we succeeded in locking our keys in the rented Hillux and staff member Christopher deserves a special mention for dismantling and reassembling half our car to retrieve the keys.” –wilmshurstfamily

“Roam was big, very clean and very good hospitality. The guide of the game drive is really passionate about animals and it really explains very well. He finally found four rhinos around 5.45 pm while it was getting dark (sunset at 5.25pm) Swimming pool …but water is cold in july.” –Stéphane G

“We loved this stop. One can spend hours at the deck looking over the grassland. A range of buck (deer) can be seen drinking at the water hole and moving in and out of the area. The rooms were clean, modern, comfortable and quiet.
Both the dinner and breakfast were excellent and staff very pleasant and professional. It is a little off the main road but still a recommended option for a night office between Windhoek and Etosha.”-LH1360

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