Egumbo Lodge, Walvis Bay – A touch of style

by Yolanda Nel

When you walk into Egumbo Lodge, situated across the lagoon in Kovambo Nujoma Road in Walvis Bay, the many hours of time and effort that have gone into creating it immediately become evident.

Owner Christina Garcia came to Namibia in 1996 and decided to transform her home into an elegant colonial-style lodge. “There is nothing quite like it anywhere else along the coast,” says Garcia.

“What you see throughout the lodge is Christina’s personal taste,” says Toni Renecle, her partner and best friend.

It was because of a mother’s love that Christina opened the lodge. Her daughter, Xana Garcia, lived in Spain and Christina wanted her to come and live in Namibia. Xana was offered the manager’s position at Egumbo and grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

The lodge, which opened in June last year and can accommodate up to 18 people, has nine rooms – one single, one family and seven double – all stylishly decorated with chandeliers, a canopy bed and small lounge area. Seven rooms have a Victorian bath as well as a big shower.

Spoilt for choice

Guests can make use of the pool area to relax while enjoying a glass of wine. This area has been transformed to host birthday parties. Egumbo Lodge also caters for small functions and since the opening has been used as a wedding venue and hosted two matric farewells.

“Because the lodge is small and guests receive personal attention, we are able to build a close relationship with them,” says Christina.

Dinner and breakfast are served in the dining area with its panoramic view over the lagoon. Members of the public can also make use of Egumbo’s restaurant facilities, following prior reservation. The restaurant is open on Sunday afternoon for coffee and cake, offering guests a choice between scrumptious home-made raisin-and-nut bread and chocolate cake.

Guests are invited to enjoy a wine tasting in the cellar- before dinner or a cognac in the lounge after dinner. Breakfast is served from 07:00 and dinner from 18:30, but this is flexible to accommodate the needs of the different guests.

This article appeared in the April/ May 2011 edition of Travel News Namibia.

Photo's courtesy of http://www.finesse-namibia.com/egumbo-lodge.html