Monteiro - camping and chalets on the city's front stoep
By Neil Digby-Clarke
namib@mweb.com.na
Neil is the owner of The Namibia Experience. He specialises in travel feature writing, preparation of ad and brochure copy, and website text.

Monteiro Camping and Self-Catering Chalets offers visitors the best of both worlds. It is conveniently situated close to the capital, less than 11km, just 15 minutes, from Windhoek, yet lies in a beautiful setting, surrounded by nature, with wonderful views to the nearby, spectacular Auas mountains.

Fritz Swartbooi (top) and wife Katrina, the caretaker couple at Monteiro.

Opened in 2005, Monteiro offers guests a valuable choice of accommodation; there are six camp-sites, some with very pleasant shading. Each one has water and power points and braai (barbecue) facilities, for which bundles of firewood can be purchased. A communal field kitchen and some excellent, spotless ablution facilities further complement the site. If you are not fully self-sufficient, then Monteiro can provide tented accommodation for you on these same sites. All the camping places enjoy lovely, well maintained, grassy locations, each with a pleasant degree of privacy. For those who prefer a roof over their heads, there are two delightful guest chalets, equipped with twin beds and two bunk beds also.

These chalets have full, spacious en-suite amenities with a bath and a shower in the one case, just a nice shower in the other. Also to be found are useful cooking facilities, a fridge and indeed all the equipment needed to enjoy a self-catering stay. Each of the guests rooms has an individual braai place outside. And there is also a swimming pool, again with fabulous views, for all to enjoy. Other services provided, on request, at Monteiro, are a laundry availability and the supply of picnic packs if required. All guests are also welcomed to enjoy a Monteiro breakfast, although these need to be pre-ordered the day before. Some insider information here – joint proprietor Hannelie also runs her own catering business, which can provide delicious meals and buffets on location anywhere. Contact her on 081 129 1172 for more details. It’s amazing that such a short distance from Windhoek, you can feel so much at one with nature and be fortunate enough to spot kudu, oryx and Hartmanns mountain zebra quietly grazing nearby. Birding opportunities are excellent too. Owners Wessel & Hannelie Swanepoel should be proud of the oasis that they have developed, from scratch, within the last twelve months.

The layout is first class, the buildings, equipment and indeed furnishings in the chalets are all of a high standard. Hannelie, who is the managing half of the couple, insists that her staff keep the place scrupulously keen. There are too some delightful garden areas, well stocked with all manner of plants, whilst the location is, of course, wonderfully convenient. Rates, too, considering the proximity to the capital, have been pitched at extremely reasonable levels. Besides the bird watching and game viewing prospects all around, there are a number of other pleasurable activities available at Monteiro. Guided walks onto the summit of the nearby Gross Hertzog mountain, 30 minute pony rides which children of all ages will certainly enjoy, whilst visits to a private local astronomical observatory can be arranged too. And, of course, all the attractions of Windhoek, Namibia’s bustling and bright premier city, are just moments away.

Already owners Wessel & Hannelie have been surprised and delighted by the use that local people are making of Monteiro. Whilst always hoping to attract good numbers of visiting tourists, especially those driving through from neighbouring South Africa on the B1 tar road that spears ever northward, the number of Windhoek city dwellers who visit is burgeoning, a somewhat unexpected bonus. Several families have remarked that it is simply so convenient to be in nature, and under canvas, within just a few minutes drive from their homes. Easy, say the mums, to pop back home for anything you need or have forgotten ! And all this has been achieved, says Hannelie, without any need to resort to massive advertising campaigns : quite simply the Monteiro brochures, one or two strategic low key ads but mainly word of mouth – always the best and most effective form of publicity – have seen to that.

It’s a refreshing, ideal spot for both visitors to Windhoek, and also it seems the city’s residents, to enjoy nature at its best. And whilst Monteiro is already proving to be a popular spot, making it advisable to book up in advance, any guests just turning up will surely be accommodated with the friendly welcome that is already a hallmark of a delightful enterprise.

Info Box

Monteiro Camping and Self-Catering Chalets is situated just off the main B1 tar road just 11km / 15 minute drive, from the B1 traffic circle to the south of Windhoek. It is clearly signed in both directions. Rates are as follows : Camping N$ 50,00 per person per night : Tented accommodation per night N$ 95,00 (single) or N$ 170,00 (double) : Guest Chalets are N$180,00 for one person overnight, then N$ 280,00, N$380,00, and N$ 480,00 for two, three or four guests respectively. A daytime only visit is available at N$ 30,00 per person. Wood is sold at N$ 10,00 per bundle, the guided walk N$ 40 per person and pony rides N$ 25 per half hour. Breakfast is N$ 40,00 per person, all other rates on request. Make your reservations on +264 61 241345 (Tel & Fax) or +264 81 129 1172. E-Mail monteiro@iway.na Website www.monteiro-accommodation.com