Namibia | The Most Unforgettable Sundowner with Rhinos

As my husband curated the whole Southern Africa trip, I had to ask him how and why he chose our first accommodation and stay in Namibia. As we landed in Windhoek and picked our rental car, we headed north to Outjo, to discover a haven for white rhinoceroses.

Here is his take:

Our journey to Namibia would start with heading north but not as far as to the Etosha National Park - leaving that for a future trip, as it's closer to Angola - and the Outjo region seemed to be a good compromise. Thanks to Google and then Maps, I search for beautiful lodges and stays around the area and shortlist it with the ones with availability that suit the travel design. That is how I found Kifaru Luxury Lodge and its rhinoceros conservancy.

Thanks, husband! After a three-hour journey and as the tarmac road ends in Outjo, we had a 40-minute drive in the gravel road, protected with several gates, until the Kifaru Luxury Lodge. Arriving feels like a major reward, whilst we were welcomed with refreshing towels.

We were very late but were immediately greeted with a 3-course dinner and then we checked into our accommodation (all details and photos below of our suite and all the food!) with an incredible view over the Mopane Forest.

We waited until sunrise to appreciate the amazing views and the peaceful surroundings with lovely little birds singing us onto our first morning in Namibia.

Kifaru means Rhinoceros in Swahili, which is so appropriate as it is part of the Rhino Momma Project, which aims to protect the endangered white rhinos - the African Unicorn - of Namibia.

We spent a total of three nights at this place, to enjoy ourselves, the surroundings, overlooking the endless landscape.

On one of the days, after a copious breakfast, we booked a sundowner drive through the area, where we would meet our first rhinos.

We love sundowners - they are just Africa's aperitivo in the bushes! - and we were very expectant to see rhinos up close. We had seen a couple at the Serengeti National Park during our honeymoon in Tanzania, but only from afar.

Our seasoned guide took us with a Spaniard couple - sweet Beatriz & Luis, who were on their honeymoon in Namibia, between starting in the Chobe National Park in Botswana (where we would head a few days later during this trip) and finishing the journey at the beaches of Seychelles! - and off we went on an open game drive car.

On our way to the rhinos, we met with giraffes - I think they are my favourite animal, after penguins! - and looming on the horizon, there they were, the cutest rhinos.

I must confess I was scared at first, as they are majestic yet lonely animals. I did not know what to expect when they'd encounter people. But I stand corrected as we met with the sweetest mammals, with the mothers (cows) always with their babies (calves) and with other mother-child duos whilst the males (bulls) roamed alone sparsely.

White rhinos have 16 months of gestation and care for their babies for close to two years after they are born, breastfeeding them. When time comes for them to have another baby, they separate from their little one and they must then venture into the world on their own. It's an incredible and long bond for animals and a delight to see as we saw a peaceful breastfeeding moment before our eyes.

As we arrived to our sundowner spot, the guide invited us to leave the car - I was still scared at this point! - and he set up our table and food, as we saw the sun starting to set slowly in the horizon.

And then all was good in the world, as we saw the most beautiful African sunset and its hues, while sipping on some chilled rosé wine, nice little snacks prepared just for us and enjoying the animals calmly living their lives before us.

It was then time to head back to the lodge in a lovely evening drive that is also filled with wonder and the most magical colours.

What we loved about Kifaru Luxury Lodge?

• the work they are doing within the Rhino Momma Project and their anti-poaching ethos
• the sense of privacy and isolation, perfect to relax as a first stop during our vacation coming off of our hectic job weekdays and routines
• having a fresh towel anytime we were getting back to the lodge, it was so refreshing
• the amazing views and layout from our accommodation

What could improve?

• we don't mind the gravel roads - we have many in Angola - so people need to be ready to take them on to have the true relaxation and isolation Kifaru Luxury Lodge provides
• warm water takes a long time to come in the shower. As a very mindful water user for all my life and especially knowing the water issues in Namibia, that pained me a lot. No such issues on the outside shower in the suites!

If you want to know more, support and donate to the Rhino Momma Project, click here.

For more photos, of the accommodation we chose as well as all the meals, subscribe to access the rest of the article below.

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