My Charming Stay in Namibian Countryside: Relaxation at Vineyard Country Lodge

“It ain’t all bad as far as I can tell” – Noel Gallagher.

Namibia is huge. Gaze at a map and you will see the sheer vastness of this African beast! It spans an area of 825,419 kilometres squared, yet houses just 2.5 million people – the same population as tiny Lesotho. Over the course of three weeks, we would somehow end up in Windhoek (Namibia’s capital) three times (and the airport six times – true bill!). Hardly the most desired city hat-trick of my touristic life, but nevertheless – logistics, logic and lust don’t always interwine so majestically as requested. Despite the lunacy of going in and out of Windhoek, a breath of fresh air and rural charm was on the way.

As well as seeing Windhoek city, the deserts, the cheetahs (wow!), the Atlantic Ocean, another pink lake and Walvis Bay, my weary body craved for a night of countryside tranquility in Namibia. I found a heaven here at Vineyard Country Lodge. Vineyard Country Lodge is a large lodge which is located about half an hour drive from Windhoek city, and on the other side, half an hour drive from Windhoek’s Chief Hosea Kutako International Airport. A perfect stop over? Indeed!

Despite being just a half hour drive from central Windhoek, you really wouldn’t know it here at Vineyard Country Lodge. This is countryside beauty, wilderness, peace, harmony, relaxation and luxury all in a tidy package. The world chills down to a halt in the sunshiney wilderness.

On a personal level, I love to experience a myriad of accommodation options when I backpack a country. In Namibia, you can count backpackers hostels, self catering apartments, airport transits (too many of them) and rural lodges in my repertoire. Furthermore, my wandering soul also craves a balanced mixture of city life, seaside life, countryside charm, desert loneliness and pumping bars at night. I got that as well in Nambia – country full of diversity, if not for the cheap backpacker – this country is extraordinarily expensive for tourists! I saw cheetahs in the wild, visited a pink lake and also backpacked loyal in Windhoek city.

Here, as the moon rose and sun sunk on the edge of the Namibian capital , I was content and cosy in the Vineyard Country Lodge. My reason for staying here was not just that it was rural and looked good on the website but more selfishly I was on a 20 hour transit at Windhoek’s Chief Hosea Kutako International Airport and this place was totally perfect for my needs. I had a flight out the next morning to Luanda in Angola (I simply cannot wait to cover Angola on here! – when WiFi and life permits). Here is why I loved this place and fully recommend the Vineyard Country Lodge in textbook Namibian countryside.

1.Easy Access in and out of Airport

This is probably what sold the Vineyard Country Lodge to me. In the 20 hours or less that I had, I wanted a decent sleep, good food and drink plus a time saver. Being one of the closest lodges to the international airport made this a nobrainer for me.

I had to stay here. Plus, the lodge can organise an easy pick up and delivery to and from the airport. This meant no waiting, no delays, no hanging around and no fobbing off annoying taxi driver rip off merchants that hound white people on arrival at every major African airport.

I was in and out safely by driver Martin.

2.Very Welcoming Staff

I was picked up at the airport by resident driver Martin, then on arrival at Vineyard Country Lodge I met Mariska, Nolene and Pam. They all welcomed me and even the chef dropped by to say hello. I felt at home.

3.Luxury Well Equipped Rooms

I was in room 10. This was a super room. I had everything I needed and wanted, including of course Wi-Fi! I had a fridge, a desk, water, a shower (with gel), a wardrobe, a television, a cosy bed, anti-mosquito spray, a safe, tea and coffee, Wi-Fi and towels.

4.Swimming Pool

On my 2020 trip to Africa, I had the luxury of swimming pools in a few of the places I stayed in. Here at Vineyard Country Lodge, I really made use of the pool and sunloungers. I had a beer and a sunbathe in the rear garden, in peace.

5.Cold Beers, Happy Chef, Good Breakfast

At Vineyard Country Lodge, there is a bar and restaurant. I met the chef and they serve up a great breakfast, not to mention a bar stocked with ice cold beers – particularly the local Windhoek Lager.

6.Fast WiFi

In general, Africa sucks at WiFi, it is as simple and harsh as that. No issues here though at the Vineyard Country Lodge. I should have taken more advantage of it in fact, as it was two weeks before I finally got a fast connection again!

7.Rural Walks Nearby

As I only had one afternoon here, I didn’t want to waste it by staying only in my guesthouse, so I went for a leisurely walk in the countryside nearby. It is a really nice area.

I was surprised at what you can see and do here – there are two bridges, a river (which has sadly dried up), wild baboons (don’t take any food or drink), a dam and even a full on local Brewery and Bar just a twenty minute dander away.

Be sure to wear insect repellent and suncream but enjoy the nearby countryside.

Here are the details for booking a room at the Vineyard Country Lodge in rural Namibia :

Vineyard Country Lodge website
Vineyard Country Lodge Facebook page
Vineyard Country Lodge Address:

The Vineyard Country B & B
Colin and Noelene Bassingthwaighte
Windhoek, Namibia
Phone: (+264) 081 588 2029
Email: info(at)vineyard.com.na
Vineyard Country Lodge on Twitter
Vineyard Country Lodge on Instagram

Here are some videos from my time spent at the excellent Vineyard Country Lodge in Namibian countryside :