Place to stay · Kunene
Etambura Camp
A five-chalet self-catering camp owned by the Ovahimba, on a hill about 25 km north of Orupembe in the Kaokoveld, reached only on 4x4 tracks.
Etambura Camp sits on a hill by the Ojuva plains, about 25 km north of the small settlement of Orupembe in the Kaokoveld, in the Kunene Region. It is described as Namibia’s first lodge owned by the Ovahimba, and Himba people run it. The plains are held sacred, and wild animals graze them alongside the livestock of the semi-nomadic Himba. Come for the remoteness and the chance to meet a Himba community on their terms.
What to expect
Five chalets, canvas under thatch, are strung out along the crest of the hill. Each has a sleeping area, its own bathroom and a terrace. Guests share an open lounge with a viewing deck. There is no Wi-Fi, on purpose.
Activities are guided 4x4 outings along dry riverbeds and game drives in the Orupembe Conservancy, walks on the hill, and visits to nearby Himba homesteads. Desert-adapted black rhino live in the area but sightings are a matter of luck. Day trips to the Marienfluss and the Kunene River can be arranged. One French travel guide also describes guided treks of three to eight days from the camp towards the Marienfluss, sleeping out near Himba villages.
Practical details
- This is self-catering. The camp has a shared kitchen and braai area with crockery, cutlery and pots, and staff can help light fires and wash up.
- Meals, including traditional Himba dishes, can be cooked on request. Arrange it ahead.
- Access is on rough 4x4 tracks only. Bring enough fuel, water and food for the whole stay, and travel with a second vehicle if you can.
Good to know
The camp has no website of its own that we could find. Bookings go through agents such as Info-Namibia or through Conservancy Safaris. Ask before photographing anyone in the villages.
Last updated 7 October 2026. Sources: Info-Namibia, Generation Voyage.
