Fish River Lodge in southern Namibia is the only lodge perched directly on the rim of the Fish River Canyon offering guests breathtaking views of the canyon from sunrise to sunset. Set in a grove of ancient Quiver trees (Aloe dichotoma), the Lodge has been carefully designed to echo the terraced and rugged terrain as well as the colours and textures of the landscape thereby offering guests a pleasant change from the typical ‘safari‘ type lodge found elsewhere in Africa. There is a blend of classical and contemporary furnishings and many of the accessories have been made by San and Nama communities whose ancestors once roamed the terrain; authenticity, comfort and simplicity are key to the lodge’s unique ambiance.
Accommodation:
Twenty spacious chalets are positioned along the rim with sufficient distance from each other to ensure privacy and quiet at all times. Dry-packed stone walls cover the outer chalets and large windows offer light and views over the canyon whilst at night guests can watch falling stars through the roof top windows above.
Each chalet has a separate shower, dressing facility, double basins, toilet and fan whilst an additional outdoor shower offers a chance to cool down under the stars on warm nights. An outdoor ‘bed‘ is available to guests who would like to sleep under the stars.
The main lodge caters for indoor and outdoor living given the extremes of weather that can be experienced throughout the year. Good home-cooked food with stylish touches is served on glowing handcrafted tables from reclaimed wood next to crackling fires in winter or outside on the deck in summer. Drinks can be enjoyed in the indoor or outdoor bar area overlooking a swimming pool.
The Lodge furnishings have been kept simple (without compromising on comfort) and the colour schemes chosen to reflect the subtle hues of the distant canyon. Items of interest like the old German colonial cupboard and doors and hand-sewn traditional Nama dress in the main Lodge, in contrast with the modern architecture and some of the furnishings reflecting the rich history of the south.
