Kunene River Lodge #1: Entry
The cache, a small magnetic camo-tube is hidden at the entrance to this riverside lodge which started life in 1994 as a private weekend retreat. The owner soon began opening his gate to provide an impromptu rest-camp to passing travellers on the long arduous 4X4 trail from Epupa to Ruacana seeking somewhere to stay overnight. By 1995 this ad-hoc arrangement became a commercial enterprise with the addition of basic amenities, an ablution block, a tented camp and - a bar.
White-water rafting activities began nearby in 1997 in the spectacular Ondorusu Gorge along one of the best stretches of white-water in southern Africa. In 2005, the Lodge was purchased by Pete and Hillary Morgan after the fell in love with it while on holiday there. Since then until April 2018 the lodge was managed by them and has been continuously refurbished and upgraded. In April management was taken over by the current managers, who kindly gave permission for the cache to be hidden here.
[It was also in April that (see photo) the lodge was flooded - 3 times within a few days! The river floods regularly during the rainy season, especially after heavy rains up stream of the Ruacana Falls Dam. When the dam become full, the sluice gates have to be opened causing river levels to rise rapidly. Unfortunately on occasions the level rises too high and floods riverside properties.]
The Morgans also developed a close working partnership with the local Himba people since the lodge is the only tourist destination within the recently formed Kunene Conservancy. This partnership and other support for the Kunene Conservancy will continue.