Tsumeb has several old hotels, a pension, a restcamp, and a place for backpackers – something for everyone!

Makalani Hotel

(17 rooms) 4th St and 3rd Rd, PO Box 27, Tsumeb; tel: 067 221051; fax: 067 221575; email: makalani@mweb.com.na; web: www. makalanihotel.com

This hotel has been recently been upgraded. Its rooms have comfortable (hard!) twin beds, direct-dial phones, AC, and satellite TV. The Makalani's restaurant is small and friendly, with a reasonable, if not adventurous menu. Other facilities include a lapa bar, private bar, gambling house, beer garden and swimming pool.

Rates: single N$320, N$230 per person sharing, including breakfast

Minen Hotel

(49 rooms) Post St, PO Box 244, Tsumeb; tel: 067 221071/2; fax: 067 221750; email: minen@mweb.com.na; web: www.minenhotel.com

The Minen has been going for years in a beautiful spot opposite the park. At its side is a very relaxing outdoor veranda with umbrella-shaded tables and chairs amidst impressively tropical gardens, served by the bar and kitchen. Inside the restaurant opens during the week from 19.00 to 21.30.

The hotel has new luxury rooms situated around a courtyard with a swimming pool and a beautiful lush garden, in addition to its standard rooms. All have double or twin beds, a television, en-suite toilet and shower and new air conditioner (luxury) and water coolers (standard).

Its older rooms are at the back, around an enclosed green courtyard protecting some tall rubber plants (now trees). Each has twin beds and flowery fabrics, a television, en-suite toilet and bath (with shower attachment) and a fan. Each also has a vintage air conditioner, but it seems unlikely that many of these still work.

Rooms are basic but clean, and almost out of earshot of the busy bar at the front, which can become quite lively at the weekends, especially at the end of the month when people are paid.

Rates: luxury single N$340.50, double N$508.50; standard single N$260, double N$393.50, including breakfast.

Kreuz Des Südens

(3 rooms) 501–502 3rd St, PO Box 130, Tsumeb; tel/fax: 067 221005
This small German-run guesthouse is currently closed, but is scheduled to reopen at the end of 2003.

Travel North Namibia – Backpackers

(2 rooms, 4-bed dorms) Omeg Allee between 4th and 5th streets, PO Box 779, Tsumeb; tel: 067 220728, cell: 081 124 6722; fax: 067 220916; email: travelnn@stu.namib.com
Leon and Anita Pearson have branched out to offer a couple of en-suite twin rooms, and a few 4-bed dorms for backpackers, sharing showers, toilets and a kitchen. These are on the site of the office, and there's always someone there to let you in.

Rates: single N$150, double N$230. Dorm beds N$50 per person, including bedding.

Mousebird Backpackers

(4 rooms plus dorm beds) 533 4th St, PO Box 1712, Tsumeb; tel: 067 221777; fax: 067 221778; email: info@mousebird.com; web: www.mousebird.com

This lodge opened around February 2002 in the centre of town, near the museum. It's aiming squarely at backpackers, offering safaris around the region as well as accommodation.

The lodge itself has a fully equipped kitchen and dining room, with free tea and coffee, and a washing machine. The small bar area is usually busy, and for those who miss their electronic home comforts too much, there is a satellite TV, a collection of videos and a PlayStation in the lounge. Outside, the parking is secure and, if you want to cook for yourselves, you can do so in the braai area. At extra cost there's internet access and a phone/fax.

Rates: N$50 per person for a dorm bed; N$150 for a private twin/double room, and N$40 per person to camp on the lawn.

Punyu Tourist Park

PO Box 319, Tsumeb; tel/fax: 067 221996
The old municipal campsite, found about halfway between the town and the main road intersection, about 1km from each, has been re-branded but little has changed. It is still a long way from the centre of town, but is a clean and quite pleasant place to stay.

Rates: N$5 entry, children N$3. Tent N$20 per day, caravan N$30 per day.

Nearby guest farms

Sachsenheim Guest Farm (7 rooms and campsite) PO Box 1713, Tsumeb; tel: 067 230011; fax: 067 230072; email: sachse@iway.na (as electricity supply cannot always be guaranteed for the computer, faxes are safer)

Just north of where the C38 turns west of the B1 to go towards Namutoni, Sachsenheim is an old-style game farm (accepting hunting and photographic clients) turned restcamp, at its busiest when Namutoni, Mokuti and Etosha Aoba are all full. Reports are positive but sketchy, and the author has not visited it.

Rates: single N$250, N$220 per person sharing, including breakfast. Camping N$30 per person, N$10 per vehicle.