Shortly before we reach Epako Lodge, a man in the bus starts shouting: “Look, there's a rhino standing next to the street!” But since he is the only one who can see the rhino we are not sure whether he is telling the truth or not. It's commonly known that rhinos are far rarer than elephants in Namibia! In addition they are quite shy and nocturnal. But considering the fact that it's already getting darker, it is not unlikely that the man is telling the truth. A bit later we finally reach the Lodge. And the man was right: here are definitely rhinos but not because it's getting darker but because they belong to Epako Lodge.

After the experience with the bucks at Mokuti Lodge we hurry up this time. Having left the bus we quickly drink our welcome- drinks and then walk to the observation terrace of the Lodge. Behind us the keys to the rooms are given to the tourists. But hey, who needs rooms if there are rhinos standing only some metres away?!

The Lodge is idyllic and with its garden full of cactuses as high as trees it's beautiful embedded in the landscape. It's definitely a place to relax! Of course, we don't dare to use the pool. But we can easily imagine spending some nights here!
We can reach our room by two ways: either by using the veranda with a view over the dry river or by the usual entrance door. There are no adaptors in the rooms but they are available at the reception. “Once we used to have them in our rooms but they got lost very often” a charming assistant of the Lodge explains us.

In the main building we feel welcomed by the cosy chimney and the bar. Since we still have some time left before the dinner starts, we spend our time by drinking Rock Shandy and Amarula - a creamy liqueur similar to Baileys.
The Marula tree whose fruits are used for Amarula is known by the Jamie Uys film “Animals are beautiful people” ( the scene in which monkeys and elephants are loitering around as if they were drunk- but it's likely the camera crew “prepared” the animals with by tranquillizer darts.)

Like the room with the chimney the restaurant is very comfortable. Except our group there are only few guests in the Lodge. But that's enough for all tables to be used and the service assistants to feel stressed (they haven't expected more than twenty guests this evening). The food, however, is very delicious and the view to the lighted waterhole under the veranda and the restaurant is very beautiful.

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