The lodge was built by and named after the successful Namibian businessman Dr. Frans Aupa Indongo. Dr. Frans Indongo was born on January 15th 1936 in the northern part of Namibia. In 1956, at the age of 20 years, he joined the migrant labour system and was recruited by the Municipality of Walvis Bay as a maintenance officer at the electricity supply division. For supplementing his meager salary, Frans Indongo saw an opening in brick laying. Later, he invested his money in a sewing machine and started making and selling clothes. In 1967 he built a shopping complex which initially consisted of a bottle store, a wholesale outlet and a supermarket. From 1981, he built more shopping complexes at different locations. After independence, Dr Indongo ventured into areas of business activities like farming, fishing, hospitality and property development. Today his gross investment in Namibia is in excess of 150 million Namibian dollars and employs more than 1400 people. The latest addition to his portfolio is the jewel in the Namibian thorn bush savanna – the Frans Indongo Lodge. The first lodge burnt down in 2002 due to a technical defect, but the second lodge was rebuild even more beautiful and splendid. On November 1st 2003 the new Frans Indongo Lodge was officially opened by the President of Namibia, his Excellency Dr. Sam Nujoma. The Lodge owe its unique style to the unmistakable Ovambo-Decoration, starting with the fence made of tree-trunks (Kraal) and the typical wooden figures in addition to the traditional clay pots. Special attention has been drawn to the interior of the rooms: all objects of the inner fittings are made in Namibia. Another peculiarity of the lodge is the striking richness of game in the adjacent farmland. In addition to Zebra, Kudu, Oryx, Gemsbok, Giraffe, Eland antilope, Warthog and Bushpig, Springbok, Hartebeest, Blu Wildebeest, Impala, Kronenduiker, you can see White Blesbok, Black Springbok, White and Black Rhinos, Roan, Lechwe which complete the animal appearance in the surrounding thorn bush savanna. Also the plants are not neglected at the Frans Indongo Lodge: besides the natural “bush”, a luxuriant and blowing garden with little brooks guarantees for a green and splendid vegetation all through the year. Through the Savannah on foot or on wheels
Frans Indongo Lodge is situated in the heart of a 17.000 ha (170 km²) farm in the bush savannah. Only a small part of the farm is still utilised for agricultural purposes. The focus now is on caring for the game. Apart from Gemsbok, Zebra, Kudu and Springbok there are also rarer species like Eland, Sable and Roan Antelope, Impala and Black Wildebeest, as well as White and Black Rhino. A game drive in an open off-road vehicle (about two hours) offers plenty of opportunity to watch the animals and take pictures. Those who like to go exploring on foot, have three trails of differing length (1.5 to 4 hours) to choose from. Quite often antelope will cross your path. The effort of climbing the hilltop is rewarded with wonderful panoramic views of the vast bush savannah plains right across to Waterberg. Furthermore, there is much to learn about trees on the wayside. A botanist has numbered many typical trees and shrubs according to the ‘Pocket List of Southern African Indigenous Trees’. These are standard numbers, used in any good guidebook on plants, so that you can read up on any tree or shrub bearing a number. Sprint-training for Cheetah
The natural habitat of Cheetah in the wild has shrunk dramatically all over the world. Thus the fastest terrestrial animal on the planet has become a highly endangered species. With about 2,500 animals, Namibia boasts the largest Cheetah population on earth. In order to protect Cheetah in Namibia, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) was founded in 1990. The CCF information centre is as entertaining as instructive and definitely worthwhile. Cheetah which no longer can be released into the wilds for various reasons, are kept in large enclosures next to the centre. You will be able to take stunning pictures of the big cats. On certain days visitors are also welcome to watch Cheetah at full speed during their sprint-training. From Frans Indongo Lodge it takes around 1 hour to drive to the CCF. For this excursion you need about half a day. [more on the CCF at www.cheetah.org]
Excursion to Waterberg
Thanks to rich springs, the eastern cliffs of ‘Water Mountain’ are characterised by an almost subtropical abundance of flora. The plateau of this table mountain was proclaimed a nature reserve in 1972. Animal species in need of protection – such as Sable Antelope, Buffalo and Rhino - were resettled there. Furthermore, Rüppell’s parrot and other rare types of birds can be spotted. From the semi-state restcamp a path leads up to the rocks at the edge of the plateau where Rock Hyrax and Klipspringer are found. The historic police station now houses a restaurant with numerous pictures from the olden days. For this excursion you should reserve one day. OvaHerero cultural centre
Farm Hamakari is situated east of Waterberg, close to the little town of Okakarara. At Hamakari OvaHerero fighters suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of German troops in 1904. At the historic site a cultural and tourism centre is now being established, which will house an exhibition on the history and culture of the Ovaherero people; local arts and crafts will also be sold there. The centre is only a short detour on your way to or from Waterberg. Quick tour of Otjiwarongo
This friendly little town is just a half-hour drive away. OMAUE offers a large selection of local minerals and gemstones. You can join a guided tour of a crocodile farm and learn interesting facts about these primeval reptiles, about breeding them and the processing of crocodile skins. Objects and implements from farms in the area are on show at the local herit
