Round birthday: 30 years of hiking & riding at BüllsPort

14 hiking trails through the kingdom of quiver trees and mountain zebras. 8 riding horses to explore nature in a natural way. 12 spacious rooms with air conditioning and very good WiFi. 4 camping pitches in 2 valleys of the NAUkLuFT. Who would have expected this, 30 years ago when the first guest arrived?

The BüllsPort farm has of course been around for much longer. But the guest operations turns 30 this year. The farm owners Ernst and Johanna Sauber founded it in 1993 under the name Guest Farm BüllsPort.

Picture from the early days of the guest farm: Stone slab as a sign indicating the guest farm, petrol station and shop of BüllsPort. Ernst Sauber is standing on the far right. Photo: Johanna Sauber, BüllsPort Lodge & Farm

Actually, Ernst was (and still is) a farmer with heart and soul. But droughts forced him to sell his cattle and sheep again and again. The small petrol station, the shop and the remaining cattle were not enough to feed the family.

Tourism, which had been growing rapidly since Namibia’s independence in 1990, offered a new source of income. As early as 1992, Ernst worked temporarily as a tour guide. But this was not a good solution in the long run, because he was needed by the family and the farm. So why not entertain guests at BüllsPort instead of guiding them through the country?

Hiking and riding in the Naukluft

One of the many attractions of BüllsPort Lodge & Farm: the mighty rock arch of the NAUkLuFT. Photo: Vanessa Hilleringmann

The guest farm had everything that excites Namibia holidaymakers. First and foremost, of course, the barely touched nature: the mountain world of the Naukluft with its gorges and year-round bubbling springs. Home of the quiver tree and a unique flora. Refuge of the mountain zebra, which can almost only be found in Namibia, and about 50 other species of mammals. Bird paradise with hamerkop, Ludwig’s bustard and 200 other species. The Naukluft is the true contrast to the neighbouring Namib Desert with its sand dunes.

Over the years, Ernst created 14 hiking trails. Through the Quiver Tree Gorge. To the cave of our ancestors on Bull’s Head. And to the mighty rock arch of the Naukluft. Guests can explore the realm of quiver trees and mountain zebras on guided walks, but also on their own (see Experiences).

Johanna, a horse lover and rider, founded a horse breeding farm in 1997 and offered horse rides. Of course there were also farm tours.

Riding in the wild at the foot of the Naukluft Mountains at BüllsPort Lodge & Farm. Photo: Marleen Baumann

Since 2005, Johanna and Ernst have been involved with the nearby ǂNabasib primary school, where their employees’ children are taught, through the Naukluft Foundation. Guests can support projects with donations and get an insight into the daily life of a Namibian school on a ‘Give & Take’ excursion to ǂNabasib (see Experiences).

Lodge room with good WiFi

Guest rooms of BüllsPort Lodge & Farm with excellent WiFi. Photo: Sven-Eric Stender

In 2019, the new name BüllsPort Lodge & Farm was coined. The lodge offers 12 spacious rooms, with air conditioning and free, very good WiFi. Three kilometres away, in BüllsPort’s nature reserve in the mountains, there are two campsites with shower, toilet and barbecue facilities. The lodge, farm and nature reserve employ 20 people who have grown together to form a strong team. Interns from Germany provide inspiration and fresh ideas.

What guests particularly appreciate is the personal atmosphere. Whether at breakfast, sundowner or dinner: Johanna and Ernst take the time to talk, tell about everyday life in Namibia, about their life on the farm. Just like back then, 30 years ago, when they welcomed their first guest…

Johanna and Ernst Sauber with a part of their team on BüllsPort Lodge & Farm. Photo: Sven-Eric Stender