Teufelskrallen Lodge

Wir haben uns sehr auf diese Unterkunft gefreut. Jedoch haben ein heftiges Gewitter und starker Regenfall dazu geführt, dass wir unsere Unterkunft nicht erreichen konnten. Die Zufahrtstrasse zu den Zelten war voller Wasser und wir haben uns trotz 4x4 Fahrzeug nicht getraut, hindurch zu fahren. An der Reception hat man sich sofort um uns gekümmert und ein Zimmer im Gebäude der Reception angeboten. Eigentlich sind dort die Ranger untergebracht. Speziell hervorheben möchten wir die grosse Hilfsbereitschaft und Gastfreundschaft von Ambrosius. Er hat sich sehr gut um uns gekümmert, war lösungsorientiert und hat das beste aus der Situation gemacht. Grundsätzlich kann man sagen, dass er sich super um die Gäste kümmert und für dafür sorgt, dass sich alle wohlfühlen. Vielen Dank Amrosisus für dein grosses Engagement, trotz Notunterkunft konnten wir den Aufenthalt in vollen Zügen geniessen und haben uns rundum wohlgefühlt, obwohl wir uns sehr über die Zelte mit den Tiergeräuschen in der Nacht gefreut haben.

The Teufelskrallen Lodge was the first stop on our trip. It is a reasonable distance from Windhoek Airport, can be reached via tarred roads and has six extravagant accommodations, so-called tented lodges. From the main house with the reception it is another 3 km along a sandy track to the actual lodges, but it is absolutely worth it. Near lodge #6 there is an artificial waterhole, where animals regularly come during the day. The terraces of lodges #5 and #6 are the ideal place to observe them.

Un lodge composé de six "tentes" adossées à la première dune du Kalahari. Les tentes sont très confortables et bien aménagées. L’originalité est qu’on accède aux toilettes par une passerelle extérieure. C’est sympa mais pas forcément très pratique… L’autre bémol est que les tentes sont à 3km de la réception et de la salle de restaurant. On doit prendre la voiture pour y accéder. Magnifique nuit étoilée. Personnel très sympathique.

If you stay in this lodge you will certainly remember it. The tents are built on stilts and located on the top of small dunes which gives you superb views on either side of your lodging. The “hotel” only have six tents so no over crowding! Some tents cater for 2 and are a bit smaller but have the advantage of having a terrace on either side (others seemed bigger and désigne to accommodate a small family). Out tents were very comfortable and had all the amenities needed for a one night stop. The shower and the toilet are located outside at the end of a “pontoon” so best to have a shower in the afternoon with daylight, the view from the Throne is impressive! There are only 2 minor things that some travellers might be aware of: it’s a bit of hike from the car to the lodge (up the dune) with the luggage can be tricky for some. The restaurant, pool and reception are located a short drive away from the tents and driving back in the dark might be an issue for some. Otherwise the restaurant offered nice menu and staff were friendly throughout.

La mattina ti alzi, scosti la tenda, e oltre la parete di vetro vedi diversi springboks che mangiano tranquillamente a pochi passi in mezzo alla savana. What else ? A detta del nostro tour operator è anche il lodge che organizza le gite migliori (o anche lunghe passeggiate, se c'è tempo) nel Kahalahari.

Perhaps a more correct rating would be 3 stars, but based on the very extraordinary kind service and warm welcome, we enjoyed the stay and would be happy to visit again. It´s inconvenient the lodge is approx. 3 km from the tents where you sleep during night and that the place is quite close to a not very nice / interesting town. Also, that guards are present in the camp at night (that they are needed). But additionally on the good side; very fast internet, nice dinner and nice pool area." Perfect stop close to main route to Windhoek