After more than a decade of closure and a retreat to a state of full disrepair, thanks to a financial investment of nearly N$ 1 million from Ultimate Safaris’ Conservation Travel Foundation and the Community Conservation Fund of Namibia, the Doro !Nawas Conservancy-owned Granietkop Campsite is once again open and ready to welcome tourists.

The agreement to redevelop the campsite, which is built around an instantly recognisable granite outcrop along the D2612 in the heart of Damaraland, was originally signed in 2019 when Ultimate Safaris approached the Doro !Nawas Conservancy to develop Onduli Ridge in the area. While plans for the campsite’s redevelopment had to be put on hold with the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, and the resulting decrease in funding available right across the tourism industry, the completely refurbished campsite will be hosting its grand re-opening on Thursday 15 August 2024.

While guests need to provide their own camping gear and food, each of the 5 private campsites, set among the granite boulders at the base of the granite outcrop, is equipped with a shower, wash basin, flush toilet, food prep area, fireplace, and a raised braai. Much attention has been paid to ensuring the campsite operates on a minimal impact basis, with lighting provided by a sophisticated solar plant, and an on-site solid waste management system which ensures all waste is sorted and processed on-site before being transported to recycling depots in Windhoek.

With easy access to surrounding highlights, including the Burnt Mountain, Organ Pipes, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein,  a brand-new website (www.granietkop.com) with online booking functionality, and staff training and booking and management support being provided by Ultimate Safaris’ Travel Conservation Foundation, Ultimate Safaris CEO, Tristan Cowley says they are “really delighted to get this conservancy-owned business back up running,” expressing his hope that “before too long it will be contributing significantly to livelihood of the members of the Doro !Nawas Conservancy”.