Wilderness Namibia camp newsletters – June–July 2026

June and July in Namibia mean cooler, dry winter conditions, with crisp mornings and pleasant sunny afternoons. These conditions continue to shape the landscape, with the animals naturally becoming increasingly dependent on available water sources.

Weather and landscapes

June temperatures were generally mild during the day and cold at night, especially in the early mornings. Rainfall remained very limited, as is expected at this time of year.

The wind was occasionally strong, particularly during the afternoons.

July saw continued dry winter conditions, with cold mornings and evenings. The days remained sunny and generally comfortable, while temperatures dropped considerably after sunset. 

Wildlife around Damaraland Camp

The landscape is still showing its characteristic dry winter appearance: the vegetation is becoming increasingly thin, and there are limited water sources. As a result, the hardy indigenous trees and shrubs remain an important source of food and shelter for wildlife.

Water availability remains an important factor in wildlife movements.

However, the dry winter conditions and beautiful clear skies provided excellent visibility across the concession for guests.

These winter months always provide interesting wildlife encounters. With natural food and water becoming more limited, guests had the opportunity to observe how the animals adapt to the changing conditions. Even the smaller creatures, birds and insects contributed to memorable sightings, greatly adding to the overall safari experience.

Guest comments

All the staff were so kind, helpful and lovely! Our guide Moses was knowledgeable enthusiastic and charismatic! Incredible experience.

Great team! Very friendly, perfect sundowner with Stanley – A MEMORY FOREVER.

The whole staff was extremely friendly and attentive. We loved and enjoyed our stay here, Anna was amazing, she went above and beyond when taking us on the excursions.

Staff news

The team continued working together to maintain high standards of guest service during the winter season.

Newsletter by Ghandy Hoes | Pictures by Moses.

Weather

• Max 39° C and min 9.44° C 
• Average daily high 25° C
• No rainfall
• Wind – south-westerly every afternoon  

Landscape on the Doro !Nawas Concession

• The veld is very dry and dotted with golden grass
• Trees found in the area – Terminalia prunoides
• Flowers found in the area – South-west edelweiss (everlasting) and Welwitschia mirabilis
• Water sources – the pumped water dams and natural springs have water  

Wildlife and birds

• Mammals – desert adapted elephants, giraffes, Chacma baboon, striped tree squirrel and dassie rat
• Birds – Montero hornbill, southern yellow bill, blacksmith lapwing and mountain weaver
• Reptiles – Western keeled snake, rock agama and Parabuthus villosus (a species of venomous, thick-tailed scorpions)
• Seen during the month from nature drives – elephants; at the waterholes and around camp – ostriches, wildebeest 

Community news

• TOSCO (Tourism Supporting Conservation) came to fix the elephant dams in the area, and gave out solar lamps to the farmers

Camp news  

• Remarkable guests – Mrs Bonnie Christen turned 80 years old in February; she organised this trip with her family for this occasion
• Special events – riverbed lunch; and a lot of guests enjoyed sleeping out on their room decks

Guest comments

• Beautiful camp with friendly team, our guide Mamii, was excellent.
• Food & friendliness, plus we liked that the dinner was a buffet since we eat a lot and it avoids waste.
• Without exception, everyone is so professional and friendly, such a warm atmosphere.
• Singing on the first day, really warm welcome, service of the staff, housekeeping. Collaboration with local Damara people.

Staff news

• Two new guides have joined the team – Urisora Loud Uararavi and John Warren Inichab.

Newsletter by Fritz Naobeb | Photos by Stephanus, Ricardo & Mamii

Weather

• Max 32° C and min 13° C with no rainfall and moderate to strong wind

Landscape

• Condition of the veld is very dry at the moment
• The Hoanib River is dry too
• Trees found in the area – ana tree, Acacia, and shepherd’s tree

Wildlife and Birds

• Seen during the month – We had a lion in camp at the waterhole during breakfast, which our guests were naturally very happy to see
• Seen from nature drives – Beetles, geckos and lizards, puff adders, zebra snakes, lion, baboons, springboks and oryx
• The elephants have been coming into camp regularly, drinking at the waterhole at least twice a day; guests really enjoyed the sightings, especially the photographers who took pictures right from their rooms

Community news

A group of 45 conservancy members visited the camp and had a short meeting with the whole staff. Management talked about working together and protecting the wildlife. 

Camp news

• We had a special birthday celebration for a family of four on July 18th. We baked a nice birthday cake and they shared it with the other guests and they were very happy. Everyone sang and danced.
• We arranged a special wedding anniversary two sets of guests – a dinner and a wedding anniversary trip. They were very happy with their private dinner setups and messages from the team.
• At the moment we are busy building extra rooms for staff, and a room for the F&B Manager.

Guest comments

When asked what we did really well, one guest wrote – ‘Everything! You made us feel like home, the rooms, the food and the staff were amazing.’ Their guide was Vincent.

Staff news

We welcomed Vaakumue Tjiraso to the team; he is our new Maintenance team member doing the Möwe Bay excursion.

At the moment most of the staff are working towards their certificates through the Namibia Training Authority with our Head Office Trainer Johnny Hamalwa. Courses are for Mechanics, Housekeepers, Food & Beverage, and Front of House Level 3.

Team building activities are conducted with all camp departments every Saturday for 30 minutes, running and playing games together.

Newseltter by George | Photos by Bernhard

Weather and landscape

At Kulala Desert Lodge, June–July brings peak winter weather: crisp, icy-cold nights dropping close to 4° Celsius, then reaching comfortable daytime highs up to around 20° to 25° Celsius. It is totally dry with cloudless skies and optimal low-angle light for the photographers. 

Wildlife

A highlight of this season are the busy days, with a lot of new-born springboks, oryx and baby ostriches seen along the way from the entrance of Kulala. Our exclusive early access to Sossusvlei through our private park gate allows guests to watch the beautiful Namibian sunrise over the dunes. The sky is so open that it blends in well with the landscape and beautiful views.

Kulala Desert Lodge activities on the Reserve

This is peak season due to the comfortable daytime conditions, and availability is at a premium, requiring advance booking. 

Kulala offers expansive views of the red sand dunes and the Namib-Naukluft Mountains, which makes it popular and a must-visit to see the beautiful bright sunrises and sunsets, and with the most exceptional activities offered! 

Just a few include dune hikes, Dead Vlei photography and exploring the clay pan, discovering the engravings around the Kulala Wilderness Reserve, beautiful nests at every bushy thorn tree, hot air ballooning and Sesriem Canyon for hiking through the narrow gorge carved by the Tsauchab River. The landscape is still full of new life and green pastures. 

The cloudless, light pollution-free winter nights provide some of the darkest skies in the world for stargazers to observe the constellations. The low winter sun’s angle highlights the deep red-orange crest of the giant dunes all day long.

Guest comments

• Everything, but the hot water bottle in bed was a special treat; the family tent instead of 2 tents next to each other.
• Staff/people are very friendly and conversational, and the food was always exceptional. Rooms were well looked after and great laundry service. Joas was the best guide, super friendly, knowledgeable and passionate. He was great to talk to and made the experience all the more enjoyable.

KDL team in camp

General Manager Christelle Jansen; Assistant Manager Monika N. Edward; Housekeeping Manager Rosa; Front of House Manager Tulonga Hauwanga; Food & Beverage Manager Andreas Hidishange; Mechanics Sem Alweendo & Ihula Hawanga; Kitchen Head Chef Serien with Henock, Katrina, Miriam, Elizabeth, Castro, Kaly, Eben, Petronella, Elliot, and veteran Erna; Housekeeping Raymunda, Hileni, Karolina, Lentina, Cecilia, Hendrika, Talena, Betsy, Daria.

Our Guides Joas, Michael A, Castro, Vilho, Immanuel, Alfred, Mathew and Steven.
Front Of House Supervisor Donavan, with Steven, Maria, Patricia, Ester, Emilia, Estella, Maureen, Senoritha, Loyde & Julia.
Men in Overalls: Daniel, Rehabeam, Abednego, Joao Batista, Josef and Moses.

Once again, busy months as peak season has started. We are indeed still standing strong as service ambassadors. We strive for growth! 

Newseltter by Monika Ndahetekela Edward, Assistant Manager | Pictures by Michael Amchab & Alfred Haneb