Toko Lodge

A stone pathway winds through rocky gardens to the large central courtyard and swimming pool terrace overlooking a small floodlit waterhole. Above the pool is a wide outdoor dining deck, with a fire pit and a thatched lapa for sociable evening barbecues. Breakfast and lunch are served in the airy dining room, which has a comfortable lounge and bar area – perfect for meeting fellow guests and swapping tales of your Namibian adventures. Wi-fi is available for a fee.

Fourteen guest rooms offer simple but very comfortable accommodation in spacious double or twin rooms, with hand-woven reed mats on blissfully cool tiled floors, beautiful exposed timber ceilings, and charming animal-print wall hangings. Mosquito nets are standard, as are the en-suite bathrooms with their stone-clad showers. The suites offer lovely views of the open plains and the shadowy distant hills. Below the lodge are three campsites with full ablution facilities. Campers can pre-book dinner at the lodge,and buy essentials too.

Get the feel of this immense semi-desert landscape on scenic nature drives and guided walks. Investigate the fascinating ancient San rock engravings, and pay a short visit to the traditional Himba people. Night drives in search of the elusive Shy Five are a highlight here; and during the day, the birdwatching is excellent. Spot small antelope and birds such as hornbills and the rare Hartlaub’s francolin on a guided Dolomite Walk in the hills. Hands-on farm tours are a bonus.