Vingerklip Lodge

Wonderful accommodation with stunning views from the bedroom and balcony. Gardens full of cacti with sunbirds and the cute daisies rats occasionally popping up. We were lucky and had one of our dinners served outside at the fire pit, which was amazing, and the other lovely meal was up at the Eagles nest. A very generous breakfast is served. Walking to the Vingerklip is probably about 20 mins. Will return..

We stayed at Vingerklip for one night on the way from Swakopmund to Etosha. We had a really lovely warm welcome from the lady on reception and cool towels and a cold drink which were very much appreciated after a long journey! Be warned the roads leading up to Vingerklip really aren’t great, although I’m not sure the hotel is responsible for this. The main lodge building is very nice and feels authentically African. Food in the main lodge was average, however experience in eagles nest was exceptional, unmatched sunset views of an incredible landscape surrounding the lodge and good food too. Pool was also lovely but some updated furniture is needed here. Sadly our room let Vingerklip down - tired mismatched furniture, the bathroom in particular was very tired, shower was not acceptable - mouldy and in dire need of refurb. No complimentary tea coffee or bottled water in the room and although this is available in the main lodge as our room was quite far from here these basic facilities in the room would have been nice. We appreciate that Vingerklip doesn’t market itself as a super luxurious lodge, but don’t feel that’s an excuse given we stayed at other locations in Namibia at a similar price where the rooms were much better. I think if rooms were updated, this place could be truly brilliant.

We were very confused by all the good reviews of this lodge as unfortunately it was easily the most disappointing of our trip. Our room felt tired and dated with bulky and mismatched furniture that made the room feel very small. There were lots of paint chips on the walls and furniture and our shower tap had not been properly attached and fell off. It was one of the only places we stayed where there wasn’t a mini fridge in the room (including lodges in equally remote locations). I gather from the lodge's replies to other reviews that they are in the process of updating the rooms, however ours had certainly not been updated. It would have been helpful to have some information provided in a booklet in our rooms (meal times etc) like all the other lodges we stayed in. On the plus side, the room had good air con, a safe and a nice terrace. The main lodge buildings were well designed with two pools and lots of sitting areas, however again they were very tired with mismatched lounger pillows that didn't fit properly, some with cigarette burns in them. There was an odd "fitness area" with exercise machines that clearly haven't worked in years. Everything just felt quite tired and listless. Dinner at the Eagle's Nest was fun and the food and service was excellent there. Food in the main lodge was good, but the service was listless and unfriendly at times. There was not a huge amount to see or do in the area past the walk to Vingerklip - if they manage to bring the lodge up to a higher standard it would potentially be worth a one night stay to break the journey to Etosha, but two nights are wasted here. Unfortunately this lodge has a lot of work to do to bring it up to the standard of other places we stayed on our trip, which charged a similar price.

One of our favorites and we will return with more in tow.. Tbc This was a hidden gem of all the comforts you need and deserve on holiday, even Mrs K hinted in approval at it was the best so far. And no it doesn't have all channel sat tv's in rooms, or every conceivable luxury awaiting you under beck and call. But he'll who cares, there is (I use that word carefully). Not for faint hearted a restaurant 'the nest' up top, well worth the climb for dinner, if you don't do heights, do it anyway and just have some help you up. Trust me ! It will be worth it and you will be pushing your self. Everyone else will run up the stairs wanting to be fed and watered without a problem. We spent some time chatting late evening to the manager and offered a few ideas on even upgrading further, like I say to all. If you want a crack team to install starlink, better Wi-Fi, sat tv, better solar systems I'm here for the taking. Treks and walks are no problem, food and drink, too pools etc, service and staff actually care and it's obvious. Furnishings are dated and set squares are in short demand. If you want feedback on that one, read my Turkey, Spanish, French, or Croatian reviews. Anyway my thumbs up and will visit with a few fussy Russian females and that says a lot ! Ja and ka loved it.