Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge

With just ten luxury tents in total, each tent is constructed out of steel, canvas and wood with proper doors and windows. Guests also have their own En-suite bathroom facilities in each tent for complete comfort during their stay. Running water and electricity are both available in the tents due to the entire property being run on solar power. Guests will also be able to enjoy the sensational views of the Namibian wilderness from their very own outdoor decking. Other features include an in-room safe, laundry facilities and eco-friendly bathroom amenities.

Due to being a fully inclusive lodge, all food is provided to guests at no extra charge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner can all be enjoyed at the on-site restaurant and a la carte dining is also an option.

Guests who stay at Nkasa Lodge are invited to visit a homestead part of the Wuparo Conservancy. Guests can also visit the local school and when possible, occasionally visit the local Traditional Authority. This is the perfect opportunity to observe local life and immerse within the culture of Namibia, getting to know the way of life in the area.

The walking safari takes guests on an adventure to observe the magnificent wilderness and wildlife. It is conducted with guides as well as an armed community ranger to ensure guests feel and stay safe. This experience also requires a certain degree of level of fitness due to the walking aspect involved. This activity is also subject to safety conditions.

Game drives are conducted in the Nkasa Lulapa NP (Mamili) and Wuparo Conservancy. During the drives sightings include elephants, buffalo, hippos, lions, leopards, impala, kudu and zebras. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see extraordinary wild animals roaming free in their natural habitat. Being in such close proximity to such rare creatures, you’ll be able to listen to the roar of lions and bellowing of hippos throughout your stay. It becomes even more magical on a game drive when the main soundtrack to the activity is these animals as they call across the desert. Night drives are best experienced during the dry winter months, with the activity taking guests searching for elusive animals that because of their habits can only be observed at night. Alongside the chance to embark on activities within the wilderness, there is also an outdoor pool at the property and a sun terrace to bask in the views surrounding the property.

A boat cruise is a relaxing activity that last two and a half hours. Departing directly from the lodge, it is conducted on the Harubandi Channel part of the Kwando-Linyanti system. The unique landscape makes it the perfect experience when visiting the lodge and depending on the season, a wide variety of animal sightings can be enjoyed during this cruise. Guests can combine this experience with a game drive should they wish to, experiencing a five hour long trip into the wilderness.

Sustainable tourism is at the heart of Nkasa Lodge’s ethos and it is proud to be protecting the wildlife as well as supporting the local community. The lodge has undertaken and has been approved a full EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) from the Ministry of Environment. Their vision is to ethically operate to the highest possible international standards, practices and guidelines in sustainable tourism, environmental conservation and biodiversity protection. Cultural heritage is also protected by the lodge and their mission is to provide an eco-friendly experience for guests whilst continuing to research sustainable initiatives. Nkasa Lodge also co-operates with MET (Ministry of Environment and Tourism) as well as WWF, utilising the Game Count tool for the park and the conservancy area.

At least 95% of the lodge’s employees are from the local community, including those in management positions. Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge also supports local craft producers in the area.

Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge makes sure to inform and educate guests, staff and also locals on the natural and cultural issues of the area. Guests are encouraged to get to know life within the local community as there are organised visits to Sangwali Village.

Nkasa Lodge is committed to purchasing the maximum amount of goods and services from the local community, prioritising local businesses and allowing the property to reduce its air miles in the process. The lodge also hopes to develop the ability of the local community in the process to expand their production of items the lodge can use. The lodge is also supporting a project that is constructing a kindergarten in Sangwali to help the local children and their education prospects.

The entire property’s electricity and hot water supply utilised at the lodge, guest’s tents and staff accommodation is all produced with solar energy, harnessing the location’s naturally hot climate. Being 100% self-sufficient is a big step forward within sustainability and the lodge are committed to avoiding using fossil fuels due to their environmental impact.

Alongside composting any organic waste at the lodge, Nkasa also understands the potential negative environmental impacts of solid waste such as contamination of surrounding areas and visual degradation of the land. In wetland areas such as Nkasa, solid waste issues arise around rivers and channels flowing into the park, polluting the floodplains and swamps. All waste water at the lodge is therefore directed into underground septic tanks that are located throughout the lodge grounds and then filtered into the grounds through drain fields.

The lodge makes sure to minimise packaging whenever possible and does so by buying in bulk, recycling and using reusable products whenever possible. The lodge also makes sure to compost organic waste.

Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge has been built with an infrastructure that blends into the natural and local environment, with appropriate construction materials being used in the process. The lodge itself was built utilising and prioritising local materials as well as recycled materials. Solid materials such as cement have been avoided wherever possible and by sourcing locally, the local community has been supported in the process. Reed, thatch, mopane and wood poles are all examples of just a few natural construction and maintenance materials that have been harvested locally by communities to create the stunning Nkasa Lodge. The deterioration of natural beauty through concrete buildings or permanent infrastructure has been avoided to eliminate any potential negative environmental impact on the land.

Water at Nkasa Lupala Tented Ledge is sourced from a solar powered borehole. Guests and employees are constantly reminded to save water, especially between the months of June through to October as this is the dry season. The pipes and watersheds are also strictly monitored on a regular basis to ensure that there are no leaks and water saving devices have been installed to help decrease water waste.