Mushara Lodge
Mushara Lodge Is A Comfortable Lodge Just Outside The Eastern Gate Of Etosha National Park.
Just a few minutes drive from the Von Lindequist gate on the eastern boundary of Etosha, near Namutoni Rest Camp, Mushara Lodge is a great value option if you are self-driving to Etosha and are looking for a very comfortable and exclusive base from which to explore the productive eastern side of the park. There is a good restaurant, nice swimming pool and the setting is tranquil. Although it is outside the park, it offers a far more relaxed and exclusive environment compared to the National Park rest camps. An added bonus is the ability to join guided game drives in open vehicles if you wish, at extra cost.
Rooms
Accommodation for around 36 guests is provided in 16 very comfortable units spread around the gardens of the property. There are 10 standard chalets, one triple chalet (with one doule room and one single room sharing a bathroom), one family house (with two en suite bedrooms and a sitting and dining area), two single rooms and two luxurious private villas. Each chalet is under thatch with a front verandah, and is spacious and comfortably furnished with sitting area and en suite bathroom with basin, toilet and shower (the triple chalet and family house also include a bath). Other room facilities include air conditioning, fan, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and room safe.
The two private villas, known as Villa Mushara, are very luxurious and beautifully furnished and primarily designed for couples but have space for extra beds if required. Each villa has a large lounge, leading through to a bedroom with dressing area and en suite facilities including walk-through indoor shower, outdoor shower, double vanity, bath and separate loo. The bedroom has sliding doors which lead onto a furnished private verandah with private plunge pool and sun loungers.
Central Areas
The lodge facilities include a large central reception area with comfortable sofas, a small library, a shop, indoor and outdoor dining areas and a bar. Nestled in the gardens in the centre of all the chalets is a swimming pool with sun loungers. There is also a spa (which is available for guests at all Mushara properties to use).
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming – Yes
Area
The 22,270 sq. kms Etosha National Park was proclaimed a game reserve as early as 1907 (after years of being a hunter’s paradise), but it was not until 1958 that it gained its National Park status. The famous pan, which covers an area of some 4,900 sq. kms. was discovered in 1815 and, according to geologists, is the remains of a huge inland lake, fed millions of years ago by the Kunene River, which changed course causing the lake to shrink to its present size. During the rains, the pan does hold sufficient water to enable millions of waterfowl to descend onto it, including greater flamingo, which breed here. The extensive habitat is home for some 340 species of birds, including the ostrich, kori bustard, black-bellied korhaan and red-crested korhaan; numerous species of francolin, vulture, hawk, eagle, plover, rollers and waterbirds such as Egyptian geese, spoonbill, avocet, ducks and storks; and finally, the stunning crimson-breasted shrike. Strangely, there is also a rather special small population of blue crane. The vegetation varies from the desolate sands of the pan and the surrounding grass plains (of salt-loving grasses and shrubs) to deciduous bush and mixed woodland. Animals to be seen include elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard, eland, black rhino, kudu, hartebeest, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, black-faced impala, springbok, gemsbok and the small Damara dik dik. Bat-eared fox, jackal and hyaena are also common. The best way to game-view through the park is to spend time visiting the various waterholes which are found south of the pan itself. These attract a wide range of wildlife species.
Activities
Whilst you are likely to use Mushara Lodge as a base for self-driving inside Etosha National Park, it is also possible to join morning and afternoon scheduled guided game drives by open 4×4 into the park, which can be booked locally or in advance (extra cost).
Seasons
Although you can visit Namibia year-round, the best time to visit Etosha is June through to October.
Mushara Lodge accepts children of all ages and offers excellent family accommodation in the form of the two bedroomed triple chalet, or the two bedroomed family house. Children aged six years and upwards, sharing with two adults, can be accommodated in Villa Mushara in the children’s room which adjoins each Villa.
Mushara strives to minimize their impact on the environment and operate sustainable practices throughout their properties. These include using a solar feed system for up to 70% of their electricity, waste and water management, reverse osmosis machines to reduce plastic bottle useage, local procurement and employment from the surrounding communities. Mushara is also active with conservation efforts on their reserves.
Mushara strives to minimize their impact on the environment and operate sustainable practices throughout their properties. All of the Mushara camps/lodges are run on a “solar grid feed system” which provides up to 70% of all their electricity needs.
Mushara produces a significant amount of their own vegetables and herbs, and a smaller amount of fruit. All of these benefit from compost which comes from kitchen waste. All vegetables and herbs that are not produced on site are sourced from local producers. Their fresh fruit juices come from a local farmer who also supplies them with local homemade jam and marmalade. All services are from local suppliers – refrigeration, electrical, and mechanical.
Mushara has set up a number of cameras on the property to monitor wildlife, particularly to help with large predator conservation and monitoring the condition of the ungulates. The lodge has also collaborated with the Wildlife Protection Society to place out camera traps that use AI to warn of illegal poaching activity.
