Epupa Camp

We booked a private nature tour with Joao Mutotwa and had a great time. The campsite was quiet too, especially the first night when we were the only guests. It took us a while to decide where to stay, but this turned out to be a great choice. We liked the views across the Kunene River and the bridge you can walk over to explore. The pool and a cold drink were a nice way to cool down.

We had a really fun time with the kids from the village after visiting the falls, playing football on the way back. We went back for another game the next evening. Everyone we met in the village was friendly, and it’s about a ten-minute walk to the falls from the campsite. There’s no need to stay closer. Epupa Camp made this part of our Namibia trip feel special. The drive is long, but getting to Epupa Falls was absolutely worth it. I like to plan and had read plenty of reviews before choosing a place, and I’m glad we picked this campsite. It’s spacious and beside the river, with open-air showers, two pools overlooking the water, and a lovely bar area for a drink. We visited in August, so swimming was chilly, but still great. We also spent a lovely morning river rafting. On the day we left, we visited a Himba village. It was personal, informative, and a great experience all around. I can’t fault this place, it felt like magic.

The pool area and the neighbourhood around it were nice, though that space seemed to belong more to the lodge than the campsite. The campsite itself was a poor experience. The toilets and showers have bamboo walls but no roof, with gaps large enough to see people inside. We were also told all the water comes from the river, so there’s no drinking water for the camp. One man eventually showed us where we could get clean water. Otherwise, we’d have had no water or just the muddy water from the showers and taps. Nobody warned us that heavy palm leaves might fall and damage our tents, or worse. If you can choose, I’d stay at a campsite on the west side, closer to the waterfalls.

The falls are about a 15 or 20-minute walk away. The bar and pool are also nearby, around five minutes on foot from the campsite. Our camping spot was lovely, right beside the river, with electricity, water, and nice private ablutions.