Named after Namibia's most famous rock painting south of Torra, in the Namib Desert, is the Tsiseb (pronounced See-seb) Conservancy, which also partnered with a private business to open the White Lady Lodge. The lodge is named after Namibia's most famous rock painting, the White Lady, which graces the side of a hill in the Brandberg Mountains. The lodge, built in 2003, offers guests stone chalets or tent sites. The lodge's swimming pool, offering respite from the stifling desert heat, is tucked behind the main building under one of the area's stunning rock copjes.

Largest revenue source for the Tsiseb Conservancy The lodge is privately owned and its agreement with Tsiseb Conservancy requires the owners to pay 20,000 Namibian dollars a month to the community as rent. It's the largest revenue stream the conservancy has, but the lodge is still struggling to attract guests and make its rent payments. The Tsiseb area is blessed with mountains and rich mineral soil that can yield gems like amethyst and rock crystal. For many community members, digging out gems and selling them by the side of the road - standing for hours in the blazing sun hoping a tourist would come along - was one of the few job opportunities. But now, many members of the conservancy are employed in the tourism industry.

The Brandberg Mountains Guests at the White Lady Lodge can visit the White Lady rock painting and other ancient Bushmen works of art in the Brandberg Mountains through the Brandberg Mountain Guide Service, a conservancy business. After a local mine closed in the early 1990s, a group of unemployed men in the community got together and organized the service after unescorted tourists were found to be defacing and stealing the rock paintings. The Brandberg National Monument now requires tourists to hire one of the guides when venturing into the mountains. In 2004, the Tsiseb Conservancy opened a visitors' center that offers a coffee shop, Internet cafe, tourist booking office and a crafts shop. So far, the visitors' center has been pulling in tourists in the area and the impressive stone building is a source of pride for the community, having replaced a ramshackle old visitors' bureau next door.

GPS coordinates: W21.01.471/ EO14.40.792

Rates per room per night: on request

* Fee per car is payable directly on arrival. Please state your nationality when requesting camping.

Reservations & information agent:
Elena Travel Services & Car Hire CC
P.O. Box 3127 Windhoek, Namibia
Fax:  +264 61 244558
E-mail: info@namibweb.com

To book:
1) you can e-mail us requesting information and/or rates

Reservations are only accepted in writing: by fax or via e-mail.
Final availability confirmation: in writing: by fax or via e-mail.

See also: Terms & conditions, Payment options and Cancellation policy