Fort Sesfontein is the most well-known landmark in the rural community settlement of Sesfontein.
It was initially built in 1896 and served as a German outpost to help control the spread of cattle disease, illegal hunting and poaching and arms smuggling. The German soldiers worked closely with the local Himba communities, and this is one of the early examples of tangible conservation efforts in Namibia.
The Fort was abandoned at the onset of the first world war, and fell into complete disrepair, leaving only ruins and a small army cemetery to stand witness to the former presence of troops in Sesfontein. In 1984 Fort Sesfontein was declared a retrospective national monument and reconstruction of the Fort started in 1992, utilising the original building materials and construction methods and today, you can still see the palm trees that were planted by the German troops more than a century ago.
In keeping with the historical significance of the Fort, the former officer’s mess has been refurbished as a restaurant and bar area! The settlement of ‘Sesfontein’ is named for the six fountains that have their source in the immediate vicinity of this remote settlement, in a wilderness area far from civilization.
Because Fort Sesfontein is a monument all of the construction, refurbishments and modernisation of the lodge has had to be done within the limitations set out by the monument’s council. The lodge offers solar powered electricity, hot showers in their en suite bathrooms and ceiling fans!
The Fort offers comfortable double bedrooms and family units, all including bathroom/WC, for up to 44 persons.
All of the 25 staff members are employed from the local community and do their best to make the guest experience a pleasant one. Do yourself a favour and ask the manager about the reconstruction of Fort Sesfontein; he was one of the people originally employed in that reconstruction process.
The place offers a pleasant atmosphere with hot dry days and cool nights. After the adventures of the day and the culinary delights of the evening, you will enjoy a relaxing night below the Southern Cross and a fascinating star-studded sky. Fort Sesfontein is an oasis in the vast, arid Namibian wilderness.
+264 (0) 61 224 712
+264 (0) 61 250 725
