TORGOS LODGE, NAMIBIA

Torgos Lodge, Namibia

Torgos Lodge is located in the South of Namibia adjoining the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.  The lodge is alongside the C15 route, 7 km from the Mata Mata border post.

Situated alongside the dry Auob River bed, the stylish main building (Lapa) is constructed from stone and thatch and has a lounge, bar, and dining area.  Outside the Lapa is a large stone terrace, a group barbeque area (braai boma) and swimming pool overlooking a waterhole in the riverbed.

The accommodation consists of 10 units sleeping two people each on twin beds.  There are eight standard tented or stone chalets and two luxury stone chalets.  Four units have basic self-catering facilities.  Breakfast and dinner are served in the dining area, lunches or lunch packs can be provided on request. 
 
The accommodation can be booked on a Dinner bed and breakfast, bed and breakfast or self-catering basis.  

The surroundings are typical of the Kalahari region, the dry river bed lined by large camelthorn trees, red sand dunes and sparse vegetation.  The lodge is within a 11000 Ha game camp hosting a wide variety of game, notably Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, Springbuck, Eland and Kudu. and many more. There is also abundant bird life for the avid bird watchers. including a breeding vulture colony. 

Torgos Lodge is an ideal stop over for tourists travelling to and from Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and an ideal destination for a few days of relaxing in the Kalahari.  Activities include, a sundowner game drive, unguided walks and bird watching.

The name TORGOS is derived from the latin name for a Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotus).

Accommodation at Torgos Lodge

There are ten chalets situated amongst the Camelthorn trees alongside the dry Aoub riverbed.  Each chalet has two twin beds with crisp linen, duvets and an en-suite bathroom with shower, basin, toilet and guest amenities.  Chalets have either electric geysers or wood-fired donkey boilers for hot water.

Activities at Torgos Lodge

Torgos Lodge is situated 5 km from the Mata Mata entrance to the park, being the closest accommodation to the park. Spend a few nights at Torgos and take day trips into the Kgalagadi. Though one must bear in mind that the Namibian border control office hours limit the entry and exit times.

A good day trip would be to drive down the Aoub River from Mata Mata to the picnic spot at Kamqua, where you can get out of your vehicle, picnic and make use of the toilets before driving back. There are several waterholes fed by boreholes which attract game. On this route one can spot, lion, cheetah, giraffe, wildebeest, gemsbok, springbok, red hartebeest, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, suricates and several other smaller mammals.

Of the numerous bird species, one may see bateleur, white-backed vulture, secretary bird, martial eagle, pale chanting goshawk, ostrich, kori bustard and many smaller species.

Tourists entering the park from Namibia should have their passports and take note of the Welverdiend / Mata Mata border post times. 08h00 – 16h30. If you wish to exit the park into South Africa or Botswana, visitors must stay at least two nights in the park before exiting.

Sitzas Campsite

Sitzas Farmstall is situated about 150m from the Mata Mata border. There are also two basic campsites for camping in the river bed, with communal ablution with hot water provided by wood-stoked donkey boiler, BBQ area, running water and electric lights and plug points.

The Kalahari

The Kalahari is a vast expanse of sand stretching from the Orange river in South Africa, through Namibia and Botswana into Angola covering more than 1,600,000 square km. Torgos Lodge is situated in the area dominated by red sand dunes and dry river beds. The dunes are stabilised by a sparse grass and bush cover. The red colour of the sand is caused by iron oxide in the sand.

Wildlife: Wildlife is typical of the region, at Torgos the following animals can be seen: Springbok, Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest, Steenbok, Duiker, Eland and Kudu. Black-backed Jackal, African Wild Cat and Caracal are occasionally seen. Smaller and mostly nocturnal animals are, Bat-eared Fox, Porcupine and Aardvark.

 

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