!Uris Safari Lodge Namibia

Email: urissafarilodge@namibiabookings.com

!Uris Safari Lodge is located 20 kilometres west of the town of Tsumeb - a legacy of being a mineral fascination...

Surrounded by the ancient Lake Otjikoto and the famous wildlife conservation area, Etosha National Park, !Uris Safari Lodge also attracts tourists en-route to the Kunene-, Kaokoland and Southern Angola.

For visitors with an interest in gemstones and minerals !Uris Safari Lodge borders a number of historic German and Artesian mines namely Alt Bobos, Karavatu, Omeg II and Uris.

They resemble trails "in the footsteps of the diggers" who, over one hundred and twenty years ago spent their days in the relentless Namibian sunshine exploring the possibilities of mining precious minerals to satisfy the needs of Europe.

As one drives through this raw and unspoiled land one can see the remains of stripped mine headgear and other remnants relating to the old mining operations on lime rock and dolomite formations, established in days gone by. Modern day Bushmen will greet you from their homes, inquisitive of intruders in their quiet lives.

As evident in the Tsumeb history and tribal background, Uris is a Heikom/Bushmen word, meaning, "head lice" and with the addition of the "!" refers to a small white hill containing metal.

Uris Safari Lodge Accommodation
Historically there were eight existing houses, which accommodated the mineworkers in the early nineteen hundreds, locally referred to as a "kompong".

These houses were revamped and now !Uris Safari Lodge features these cosy houses as comfortable furnished brick and thatch-chalets, each with air-conditioning and en-suite bathroom. All room names refer to current and previous existing mines.

We accommodate a maximum of 42 guests in 14 rooms consisting of seven semi-detached chalets. There are seven queen bedrooms. The other seven family bedrooms are furnished with four three quarter beds, of which two beds are fitted on a loft for the fit traveller whishing to climb a steep ladder.

All beds are of extra length and the inviting bohemian looking rooms are equipped with mosquito nets, hair dryer, electric kettle, digital safe and telephone facilities. Electric appliances all run on 220/240 volts.

Uris Safari Lodge Fedatures
14 comfortable en suite Chalets, each with air-conditioning
7 Rooms are twin bed and 7 rooms are double beds
Rooms are also equipped with mosquito nets, hairdryer, electric kettle, digital sage and telephone
A thatched dining lounge
Bar area
Swimming pool
Curio shop
Wine Cellar
Boma
Conference and Wellness facilities also available

Facilities at !Uris Safari Lodge
!Uris Safari Lodge boasts delicious Pan African meals including full breakfast, lunch and dinner by candlelight. Dinners are either served in the lounge area or for guests favoring the "bush experience" the BOMA is a favorite. The thatched dining, lounge and bar areas open onto spacious wooden decks, affording views over Namibia's world-renowned sunsets.

In the Footsteps of the Diggers" runs like a delicate string of copper throughout the lodge. If it is not at the cozy fireplace in the lounge area, mining history is available at the small scale library, as well as small bits of mineral collections are displayed in the foyer. "Dig" for wine, as you have to go down in the wine cellar with resemblance to the mining era or round off your day with a cigar from our distinctive collection.

!Uris Safari Lodge is designed to accommodate the disabled traveler and all facilities are wheelchair accessible. A fantastic designed swimming pool is available for guest's relaxation. The lodge masseuse, who is available on request, can offer relaxation packages at her small scale salon.

Children Policy:
0 to 3 years - Free of charge - Bed & Breakfast
3 to 11 years – 50% of adult rate per child sharing the room with one adult - Bed & Breakfast
12 years and above normal rates apply
All Children occupying a separate room will be charged FULL rate for a single or double room

The Campsites
There are two different campsites available.

Campsite 1 – up to 12 pax.
Campsite 1 is situated under a very large Marula tree and has space for up to three vehicles or 12 people. This would be about the maximum for site 1, both in terms of space and ablution facilities.

Campsite 2 – up to 18 pax.
Campsite 2 is situated under a big Marula as well as a big Red Ivory tree. It has a much larger open space with other trees around it, so could accommodate 4-5 vehicles and about 18 people. It also has an extra shower.

Both Campsites are big enough to accommodate multiple vehicles and large groups of people. Each site has its own, “on suite” toilet, shower and basin as well as outside basin, extra tap and built in table – so sharing with another group will not work.

Wood is supplied for the hot water “Donkies”, but for fire wood, guests can buy wood at N$15 per bundle.

Campers can make use of the lodge facilities like the bar and swimming pool, they can also have meals (dinner, lunch or breakfast) at the lodge, but this is subject to restaurant space and lodge guests activities, so it has to be booked – either in advance, or with reception on check in.

Lapa
For the more peculiar guest the thatched building will be a good option, consisting out of one elevated room protected with mosquito gauze, wooden deck and separate lower area with three cement fixed beds, small kitchenette, outside shower, toilet and BBQ facility.

To experience the Namibian nightlife, no electricity is available at the campsites and lapa.

Conference & Special Function Facilities
Our function coordinator is available to assist you with planning gorgeous wedding celebrations, focused team-building conferences, glittering functions and intimate getaways. Our state of the art air-conditioned conference room can seat up to eighty delegates - theatre style seating - fully equipped with all the standard conference facilities. The function hall can be utilized for functions or as an interdenominational chapel.

Ideas of things to doat !Uris Safari Lodge:
Walking Trails
Birdwatching
Game Watching
Farm and game drives
Quad biking
Tours to mines on a donkey cart
Golf can be played at the Tsumeb Golf course
shooting range or skydiving
A visit to the Tsumeb mines can also be arranges

Activities - !Uris Safari Lodge
Wellness - enjoy our small intimate salon where a variety of wellness treatments are offered, ranging from outdoor massages to de-stress and detoxification packages. Be blessed under the well trained and strong hands of our health and beauty therapist, Maria Shafa.

The Tschudi area in the Otavi Mountain land is renowned as a natural breeding area and habitat of the famous Eland antelope. Before sunset when the burning heat of the African sunshine has diminished one can take a nature drive through the bush to observe some of Africa's most majestic antelopes such as eland, kudu, duikers, steenbok and a variety of nocturnal animals.

Sightseeing trips to Tsumeb and the Etosha National Park can be arranged. Geological tours are also done on request. Tsumeb Museum & Mining tours can be booked. The Tsumeb Museum, with its comprehensive historical and geological displays, is a major tourist draw card which attracts between 12,000 and 15,000 visitors annually.

Uris Safari Lodge is situated about 20km outside of Tsumeb. From Windhoek follow the B1 north towards Tsumeb passing through Okahandja, Otjiwarongo and Otavi, at the four way crossing 3km before you reach Tsumeb turn left still following the B1 to Ondangwa.Keep to the road for about 14km towards Etosha, past the turn-of at Punyu Crushers, turn left then onto a dirt road another 14.4km straight would lead you to the lodge.

Fauna & Flora
Bird watching is a !Uris hallmark. Checklist of some of the most likely to be seen during a short visit are:
Shrikes: Crimson breasted (739), Lesser Grey (731), Red backed (733)
Doves: Cape Turtle (354), Laughing (355), Namaqua (356)
Rollers: European (446), Lilac breasted (447), Purple (449), Broad billed (450)
Hornbills: Southern Yellow billed (459), Montero's (462), Grey (457)
Starlings: Plum-coloured (761), Long tailed (763), Glossy (764), Sharp tailed (767)
Bulbuls: Redeye (567), Black-eyed (568)
Warblers: Grey backed Bleating (657a)
Others: Grey Lourie (373), Helmeted Guinea fowls (203), Bee-eaters, Lovebirds, Sunbirds

Guided walks enable you to view warthog, jackal, baboon and getting closer to wonderful examples of Namibia's exquisite trees:
Acacia Fleckii, Acacia Tortilis, Albizia Anthelmintica, Berchemia Discolor, Combretum Apiculatum, Combretum Erythrophyllum, Combretum Imberbe, Commiphora Africana, Commiphora Tenuipetiolata, Dicrostachys Cinerea, Grewia Flava, Kirkia Acuminate, Lonchocarpus Nelsii, Moringa Ovalifolia, Mundulea Sericea, Peltophorum Africanum, Sclerocarya Birrea, Spirostachys Africana, Terminalia Prunioides.

Sight-seeing activities in the vicinity
Tsumeb Museum, Tsumeb Cultural Village, Tsumeb Arts and Crafts Centre, De Wet Shaft and the Tsumeb Upper Levels, Smelter and Mine. Otjikoto Lake, Guinas Lake, Hoba Meteorite, Grootfontein Museum, African Baobab Trees (Tsintsabis area) the famous Etosha National Park.

Sporting activities in the vicinity
Tsumeb has a challenging and beautifully landscaped golf course, complete with driving range and clubhouse. A short distance from Tsumeb is a well-established shooting range operated by the German shooting club, Schützenverein. Skydiving at the Tsumeb Flying Club can be arranged by appointment.

Email: urissafarilodge@namibiabookings.com