Namibia’s first community-owned luxury camp to open soon

Construction is underway on Etambura Camp, the first luxury tented camp in Namibia owned entirely by the local communities. Run by Conservancy Safaris and set on a remote hill top in the North West Kunene region, the camp will offer the ultimate desert camping in comfort. Etambura Camp is in the Orupembe Conservancy in the western Himbaland, a 3,565 square kilometre area of mountains, hills, plains and tree-lined dry river beds. In Herero “etaa mbura” means “see the rain all over” and appropriately the construction of Conservancy Safaris latest venture is on the summit of a hilltop in one of the remotest parts of the Kunene Region, with an average rainfall of approximately 100mm per annum. The camp is scheduled to open to the first guests at the beginning of August. Conservancy Safaris, and Etambura Camp, are entirely owned by the local communities with 100% of the profit going to the hosts, the local Himba and Herero people. The camp  will consist of just five en suite tents, each with a private deck and positioned to take maximum advantage of the breath-taking views over the Onyuva plains. The communal lapa area extends to the edge of the hill and is the perfect setting to enjoy a good meal, watch the sun set whilst the moon rises and marvel at the endless expanse of a starry sky. Designed by Trevor Knott, a pasture scientist by profession with a growing reputation for unusual and striking projects in Namibia, Etambura will have a unique finish incorporating both flora and natural rock as an artistic feature.