Neuras Wine and Wildlife estate combines the luxury of wine tastings with natural surroundings. It offers its guests lush palm trees, natural freshwater springs and vines that sway in the desert breeze. All of this is nestled against the backdrop of the Naukluft Mountains. This desert paradise is also a place of conservation and wildlife preservation, home to cheetahs and stunning flora and fauna. Combing exclusive wines with the nature preservation is what makes this estate so unique. Guests will be able to attend wine tastings with cheese platters or bask in the conservation by getting close to cheetahs at the estate that are being protected. Drinks as the sun sets will make your stay all the more memorable. Experiencing the Namibian desert in all its glory whilst overlooking vineyards truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This oasis experience is just waiting to be had.
Neuras Wine & Wildlife Estate, Maltahohe District, Namibia
Neuras Wine and Wildlife Estate is located at the foot of the Naukluft Mountains. It is spread across a 14,500 hectare oasis that combines eco-tourism with wildlife conservation and wine tasting experiences. The area also boasts natural fresh water fountains and the estate truly is a place to relax and unwind.
- Guests can choose to stay in a luxury unit, rustic chalet or a tented camp at the estate depending on the type of experience they wish to have while staying
- Activities that can be enjoyed here include a wine tasting with a cheese platter, wine tours and a cheetah experience to immerse within nature
- Facilities that are available at the property include daily housekeeping, standing fans and mosquito shutters
- Guests who stay here will be able to admire the location’s many features such as its vineyards, palm trees and crystal clear freshwater springs
There are two luxury units at the estate and both are large enough to accommodate families, perfectly accommodating for up to four people. Each unit also has its own kitchenette and dining area, perfect for evenings in and for entertaining. There is also a patio with its own barbeque, perfect for those who want to self-cater. The first of these units has a sofa bed in the living area whilst the second has a smaller bedroom with two beds. Daily housekeeping is also provided.
There are six stone built rustic chalets at the estate and each have their own veranda to admire the stunning views from. There is also an En-suite bathroom in each as well as a double wardrobe, desk and a standing fan to help accommodate the hot temperatures. These chalets are perfect for two people. Daily housekeeping is also provided.
For those who want to try a more nature inspired trip, guests can stay within tented camps during their stay. These private canvas tents are equipped with two single beds whilst ablution facilities are shared with other guests within the tent area. Just a ten-minute walk from the main lodge, guests will be able to experience the true bushveld experience whilst never being too far from comforts of the estate.
The property has its own restaurant on site that overlooks the vineyards. Guests will be able to enjoy wine tastings here as well as an array of cheese platters to compliment the taste palette. Each luxury unit at the property also has its own kitchenette and dining are for those who wish to self-cater and entertain. There is also a patio with its own barbecue to make dining here feel like home.
Neuras Wine and Wildlife Estate is home to seven cheetahs who have been brought to the estate to live out the rest of their lives in the most natural way possible after being rescued from conflict situations. Guests can witness these stunning creatures roaming at the state, learning about their history and behaviour as they do so. Incredibly precious to Namibia, guests will begin to learn about their struggles to stay alive in the wild.
Dining in the lodge restaurant that overlooks one of the vineyards, guests can taste an assortment of wines with the accompaniment of a cheese platter. Guests will then learn about the basic process involved as they bask in the view.
A scenic drive through the Honey Canyon is the perfect way to explore and admire the stunning views that surround the estate. Stops will be made along the way to take the beautiful landscape and flora in before ending the experience with a snack platter and drinks while watching the sun set.
A guided walk through the vineyards is on offer at Neuras Wine and Wildlife Estate. Along the way guests will be able to visit the lush palm trees and natural water springs that are at the estate as well as learn about the origin and history of the farm and its yearly management of the vines. A visit to the wine cellar offers a full explanation of the wine production at the estate, giving guests a true insight into how wines are made in the desert. This is all followed by a cheese board and a full wine tasting at the lodge restaurant.
The Naankuse Foundation Wildlife Sanctuary invites people to become a wildlife volunteer, caring for cheetahs, leopards, lions and African wild dogs. This programme works to keep Namibia’s wildlife as safe as possible for the animals that roam freely there. Originating as a small wildlife sanctuary, the programme has grown and is now known worldwide for the work that it does in regards to conservation.
It provides a safe haven for injured and orphaned animals and the aim of this sanctuary is to rehabilitate and release the animals back into their natural habitat. Only those too weak to return to the wild stay at the sanctuary and people can volunteer to help the foundation continue to care for the animals at Naankuse. Volunteers come from all types of backgrounds and participate in a number of activities that are hands on. These include preparing food, feeding animals, caring for young wildlife, cleaning the enclosures, physical labour such as aiding in building facilities as well as researching and tracking.
Medical volunteering is a programme that allows The Naankuse Foundation to care for more than 3,500 patients every year – through both clinic-based healthcare as well outreach around the area. The volunteering programme is a lifeline for thousands of San Bushmen tackling tuberculosis. Other tasks that volunteers can contribute to requires more than just medical skills. IT, DIY and painting are all highly valued skills necessary to keep the clinic running smoothly.
TB, HIV and alcoholism are all prevalent in the community as well as a host of other issues among child patients such as dehydration, malnutrition and fungal infections. Volunteers who work alongside the clinic’s doctors and nurses will learn about the common diseases within the area and help to treat them. They will also give care to patients living in extreme poverty and expect teaching on basic clinical skills.
School volunteering is a programme that makes a positive impact on the local San Bushman children. Located at the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary, both nature and education are combined. Children are taught new skills such as arts, crafts, music and dance. Those who volunteer will assist the students as well as help with cleaning up of the school itself. The aim of the Clever Cubs School where this programme is hosted is to provide an education to children who have historically been denied such an opportunity.
The Naansuke Foundation Wildlife Sanctuary is a world-famous conservation organisation for the vital work it does with countless injured animals in the Namibian bush. ‘Returning the wild to the wild’ is their mantra and this forms the backbone of all of the ongoing projects at the sanctuary. It provides a safe haven for injured and orphaned animals with the aim of releasing them back into their natural habitat. Only animals that are too injured remain at the sanctuary for their safety and survival rates. Orphaned animals are raised with incredible dedication, creating an environment that encourages their natural behaviours. The sanctuary homes a variety of animals such as baboons, meerkats, mongooses, leopard, cheetahs as well as feathered and scaled animals.
The entire property is ran on solar power to help conserve the planet and take advantage of the naturally hot location.
Children of all ages are welcome at the property and anyone aged 12 and above is considered an adult on the estate.