Okahirongo Elephant Lodge

Okahirongo Elephant Loge is located in the Kunene Region, 55km from the coast and about 200km south of the Kunene River. This is the only place in the world where elephants, black rhinos, giraffes and lions live in a desert environment.

Compared to the rest of Namibia, it is relatively underdeveloped. This may be due to the mountainous inaccessible geography and the dryness that doesn't allow any form of farming. Infrastructure such as roads hardly exists. Kunene is one of the last remaining truly "wild" regions of Southern Africa and boasts a diversity of wildlife including the elephants. The biggest town is Opuwo with a population of probably less than 5,000. Its name comes from the Kunene River in the North that forms the border to Angola. Kunene's western edge is the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. In the north, it borders Angola's Namibe Province, and in the far eastern part of its northern edge it borders Cunene Province.

Kunene (also known as Kaokoland) is one of the thirteen regions of Nambiai, home to the Himba ethnic group. The Himba are an ethnic group of about 12,000 people, living in northern Namibia, in the Kunene region (formerly Kaokoland). They are a nomadic, pastoral people, closely related to the Herero, and speak the same language. They breed cattle and goats. The Himba are a poor people lacking in many modern conveniences. Because of the harsh desert climate in the region where they live, the Himba were relatively secluded from outside influences, particularly during the colonial period, and manage to maintain much of their traditional lifestyle.

They wear little clothing, but the women are famous for covering themselves with a mixture of butter fat, ochre, and herbs to protect themselves from the sun. The mixture gives their skins a reddish tinge. The mixture symbolizes earth's rich red color and the blood that symbolizes life. Modern clothes are scarce, but generally go to the men when available. The Himba's history is wrought with disasters, including severe droughts and guerrilla warfare, especially during Namibia's quest for independence and as a result of the civil war in neighbouring Angola. A threat to the Himba way of life is the proposed Epupa Dam.

The lodge consists of 7 luxurious en suite chalets all overlooking spectacular views.