Lloyd
Managing Partner Guests
As lodge manager, Lloyd makes sure everything runs smoothly, from the kitchen and the bar to the service. He holds all the threads of your stay together. Welcome to Okavandu
About us
The people behind Okavandu
Meet the people who make your stay with us special.
The Drescher family brought Okavandu to life. Today the warm team that lives and works on the farm makes sure you feel at home with us from the very first moment. Everyone on the team brings their own story and their own passion, and you feel exactly that in every encounter.
Our foundation is part of this story too. This way your stay becomes more than just a trip and turns into a real encounter with people who have made Okavandu their home. Get to know them personally here.
The Drescher family
Manuel and Katharina Drescher started Okavandu, and their motivation is simple: they want to build something that lasts. In a short time, they turned a purely private farm into a guest farm with a first-class lodge.
Namibia won the two of them over long ago, and with their two sons the family spends as much time as possible at Okavandu.
Manuel and Katharina Drescher
What Okavandu is about
For us, farm, lodge, and foundation are inseparable, carried by the same people and the same passion.
The farm
This is where it all begins, with real farm life and our own game population, looked after by our team with great dedication.
Discover our farm
The lodge
This is where you stay, with a lot of love for detail all around you and a team that takes care of your every wish with heart.
See the lodge
The foundation
We put our whole heart into supporting the people who live and work on the farm, step by step, project by project.
More about the foundationThe faces at Okavandu
Here you get to know the people you'll actually meet at Okavandu. Each of them puts real passion into the work, and you'll feel exactly that during your stay.
Lodge
Chichi
Front of House
Chichi greets you with a bright smile and makes sure you feel welcome from the very first moment.
Ernfried
Guide
Ernfried brings years of experience to hunting at Okavandu and accompanies you with real passion and great care. With him, you're in safe hands. Learn more about hunting
Jansen
Chef
In the Lapa kitchen, Jansen conjures up the delicious food you enjoy here. With fresh ingredients from the farm and a lot of dedication, he turns every evening into a small treat.
Sandra
Service
Sandra is there for you at breakfast and dinner and makes sure, with a careful eye, that you have everything you need.
Ndapa
Housekeeping
Ndapa takes great care of your rooms so that you feel at home with us at all times. She is a real ray of sunshine, always there for you with a warm smile.
Rodriques
Handyman
Rodriques makes sure everything on the farm runs on the technical side, from maintenance to the equipment. Whenever you run into him, he's in a good mood and as friendly as can be.
Farm
Chris
Managing Partner Farm
As an architect, Chris designs all the buildings at Okavandu and is currently also looking after the entire farm operation.
David
Machine operator
David keeps our machines and vehicles running so that the farm never comes to a standstill.
Sam
Animal caretaker
Sam looks after our animals with plenty of patience and dedication, from the livestock to the rescued animals in our care.
Simon
Craftsman
Simon lends a hand wherever hands are needed, whether in construction, on repairs, or in the Village.
Olivia
Landscaping
Olivia makes sure our garden and the grounds around the lodge always look well kept and inviting.
Melanie
Butchery
In our own butchery, Melanie carefully processes the meat from the farm and brings it fresh to your plate.
Our story so far
What you experience at Okavandu today came about in a short time, step by step and with a lot of heart.
- 2022
Manuel and Katharina Drescher discover their fascination with Namibia and fall in love with the country.
- 2023
The two of them invest in the farm.
- 2024 to 2026
An intense building phase begins: step by step, the farm becomes a lodge, the Villa is planned, the foundation is set up, and work begins on the Village for the people on the farm.
- September 2026
The lodge opens to guests. Take a look at the lodge
- From 2027
The Villa at the waterhole takes shape while the projects in the Village continue.
This story is far from over, and we're glad you're becoming part of it.
When can we welcome you?
Newly designed rooms, genuine hospitality, and a piece of Namibia you won't soon forget are waiting for you here. Just send us your travel dates, and we'll get back to you with available rooms and rates.