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Bush Pillow Guest House Set in the cheetah capital of the world,
Otjiwarongo.
The Bush Pillow Guest House offers tranquility, style and comfort.
It is conveniently located to use as a base for visiting the Etosha
Game Park, and the Waterberg Plateau. |
Rooms at Bush Pillow
We offer comfortable modern accommodation and have 7 rooms on
the premises which contributes to the intimate and personal service that
you will receive. All our rooms are non-smoking rooms which complies with
local government law.
All our rooms offer en-suite bathroom facilities and have LCD HD televisions
with and array of satalite television channels. The rooms also have Ceiling
Fans and complimentary Tea/Coffee making facilities.
We also have Complimentary WIFI internet service throughout the premises.
Room Types
There are 2 family rooms, both with 2 separate rooms and a mix of double
and twin beds, 4 twin rooms, each with 2 single size beds and 1 double
room with a queen size bed.
We ensure when staying with us that you will enjoy a quality nights sleep
in true Egyptian Cotton linen!
Conference Facilities
We have one conference facility at Bush Pillow and is most suited for
small groups and companies who like personal service and touch.
We can assist with Boardroom style facilities for up to 10 delegates.
Classroom style for up to 20 delegates and U-style seating for up to 15
delegates.
We can assist you in organizing, administrating and managing your events,
ensuring stress free days for you and your guests.
If you have a slightly larger group, don't hesitate to contact us and
we will be happy to assist as best we can.
Otjiwarongo as it is known today came into existence
mainly because of the need to find a connection between Swakopmund, Windhoek
and Tsumeb.The powers that be (Germany) knew about the copper ore in the
Otavi (Tsumeb) area and they needed to get the ore to the coast for shipping
back to Germany. At first they wanted to develop Port Alexander, but that
was 730 kilometers from Otavi and Swakopmund was only 581 kilometers away.
The Germans also knew what South Africa was like, but they did not have
good faith in the future of Angola. They did however also keep the options
open in case trouble presented itself with South Africa and thus it was
imperative that the railroad was built via Outjo.
Another factor to consider was the Waterberg area, with enough water and
fertile soil it was seen as a growth point.
Thus based on these factors the decision was taken to establish the link
between Waterberg and Outjo at kilometer 378 (Otjiwarongo).
The narrow gauge rail was completed in 1906 and the first train arrived
on the 2nd April 1906. Otjiwarongo settled down and that same year the
Post Office and Police station was opened. The first inhabitants were
Hans Buerger, Julius Doll, August Laszig and Paul Witt.
So it is fitting that the Bush Pillow Guest House also came into existence
indirectly because of the railway. The original house was in fact built
more than 140 km from Otjiwarongo as part of the South African Railways
project at Okozongoro Siding.
This siding was part of the Kranzberg – Tsumeb guaranteed line.
For some reason the Okozongoro siding was never utilized and all the goods
and houses were sold on auction.
Mr. Claussen – the owner of the farm Okozongoro – bought the
house and then broke it down brick by brick to rebuild it in Otjiwarongo
on erf 522, as his town dwelling, where it still forms part of the extended
Bush Pillow Guest House building today. This was done in 1963. (The name
Okozongoro means “place of the Zebras.”)
Mr. Claussen sold the property to a Mr. W.A. Klepach who in December 1986
decided to enlarge the small railway house to the extensive dwelling that
it is today. The additions to the building totaled 550 square metres.
Mr. Klepach was at the time the Manager of the Hamburgerhof Hotel (today
the private school in Otjiwarongo).
The property was sold when Mr. Klepach was transferred. A farmer, Mr.
Nederlof purchased the house and in turn they sold the house to Dr. F.
Steyn one of the medical practitioners in town. Dr. Steyn added to the
buildings in August 1994. He added a set of garages totaling 78 square
metres. The plans for these extensions were drawn by Ms. Anita Giani and
approved by the Municipality in September 1994.
In February 1999 the wife of Dr. Steyn decided to change the residence
to a Guest House . The current owner – Neville Neveling –
purchased this Guest House in September 1999, and have upgraded the facility
to its present state. The Guest House is fully registered with the Namibia
Tourism Board and have become a firm favorite with the visitors to Otjiwarongo.
In 2007 it also became a part of Sun International’s Privilege Portfolio
Partners. This means all holders of the Sun International Privilege Portfolio
card can get discounts on accommodation as well as meals.
The current owner also developed the theme of elephants for the Bush Pillow
Guest House and another remarkable link was discovered between the Bush
Pillow and one of the magnificent seven elephants of South Africa –
Mafunyane. The story in short is as follows: Mr and Mrs. Rossouw were
filmmakers who filmed the gentle giant Mafunyane in the Kruger National
Park in South Africa.
Mrs. Rossouw was pregnant at the time of filming and when their son was
born he was named after this graceful elephant.
Years later they filmed in the Kavango region in Namibia and a Mr. J.
Joachim – a Namibian citizen – and information officer had
to show them around. He was puzzled at the name of the tiny lad –
Mafunyane Rossouw – and enquired how it came that this boy was named
such. The story was then related to Mr. Joachim who later related this
story to the present owner of the Bush Pillow Guest House.
Today one can order the small in-house publication of the stories of these
elephants, well illustrated by Leana Oberholzer one of the local artist
from Otjiwarongo.
It has won several awards in this time as well as receiving some very
unique accolades from the SADF and NDF jointly. It is the only establishment
in Namibia to have received this accolade
The Bush Pillow Guest House is proud of this historical link with the
Rail development in Namibia and its influence on Otjiwarongo in particular.
Email
Bush Pillow Guest House enquiries and reservations: booknamibia@madbookings.com
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