The newly opened Onduli Ridge, in the heart of the wilderness of Namibia, is set to become the flagship property of Ultimate Safaris. With just six luxury suites, Onduli Ridge, located in the temperate climate of central Damaraland, is a luxury safari camp where architecture and the natural landscape blend seamlessly, blurring the lines between indoors and nature. Named after the resident giraffe in the area, the camp is built at the base of two granite outcrops, allowing for views of Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg, to the south and the dispersed cathedral-like granite landscape to the north.
The camp is designed to optimize views from its six suites to be viewed from different vantage points—the bathroom, the desk and the bed all offer spaces to observe the unfolding activity and sights around guests. Hidden among the granite boulders around the camp, the suites are naturally ventilated with partial open-air bathrooms and largely open communal areas.
Pretty cool: A king-size bed cooled by a “climate conditioner” (evening breeze), should guests want to sleep under the stars, can be rolled out onto their private deck for the night. Sustainable materials and inspired artistic choices are visible in the petrified wooden washbasins, animal prints and artifacts decorating the suites, and in the interior color palette that complements the granite of the surroundings. Wi-Fi is offered in all rooms, while the camp also has its own airstrip with a waiting lounge and bathroom 20 minutes away.
Food is based on local ingredients, fresh vegetables and fruits; guests can expect homemade pizzas presented with herbal accompaniments and ample quantities to indulge the hungriest guest after a morning on safari.
The range of activities offered at Onduli Ridge is suitable for individuals or families. These include desert-adapted elephant tracking, desert-adapted black rhino activity and desert-adapted giraffe activity–guests can learn about the species or head out with a guide to track and locate the animals and efforts to conserve them. Guests can also explore the area on an e-bike with a guide. They can learn about the rock art that provides insight into human origins. Other activities include nature drives, nature walks and trail treats, where guests will have ample opportunities for surprises as they explore the area.
Sustainability forms the foundation of Onduli Ridge, as all power is produced by solar, negating the need for any use of fossil fuels. Because of its desert environment, water is in short supply. So all water runs through a sophisticated reclamation plant, then used to feed wildlife watering holes, so there is no wastage. Solid waste is also sorted on-site and driven out to recycling plants in Windhoek.
Ultimate Safaris works in collaboration with its own non-profit, the Conservation Travel Foundation, to invest in ventures that bring a beneficial impact based on practical support and significant positive development to the region.
For more details, visit www.ultimatesafaris.na.
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