Five Desert Escapes in Namibia

For those of you who are staying at home right now, you may be feeling a strong sense of being “boxed in” and an equally powerful desire to venture outdoors and explore.

 

This desire, that has felt like a distant dream up till now, is starting to slowly shift as lockdown restrictions begin to ease and borders (in certain countries) open up.

 

With the dream of travel lingering in the air, it is time to begin planning your next wilderness journey…

 

Below are five of our “dream” desert escapes – ideal for a post-lockdown adventure… If you are longing for wide-open space, remote landscapes, striking natural beauty and a place to disconnect – then Namibia’s wilderness is waiting for you…

 

Sossusvlei: Splendour, Solitude and Stark Beauty

 

 

 

Sossusvlei is renowned for its scenic wonders – vast landscapes, majestic red dunes, fairy circles (intriguing, barren formations within the desert vegetation) as well as some of the world’s tallest dunes. There’s endless beauty to be found… as well as a feeling of deep peace…

 

Unwind in wonder: Little Kulala

 

Little Kulala, our much-loved desert retreat, is in the final stages of its rebuild. The new camp will maintain the same look and feel, with greater emphasis placed on offering innovative in- and out-of-camp activities that celebrate the splendour and solitude of the Namib Desert.

 

 

Guests staying at Little Kulala can enjoy a variety of activities from ebike rides to nature drives, quad biking, star gazing and even viewing this astonishing landscape by hot air balloon. For time out from busy activities, you can enjoy a spa treatment or opt for fine wine tastings in the cellar. Think vast skies, wide-open spaces, rich red sand dunes, star gazing and plenty of adventure …

 

Accommodation: 11 climate-controlled thatched suites, each with a private plunge pool, merge seamlessly into the timeless desert setting. Each suite has a Star Bed on the deck for romantic star gazing.

Track Your True Nature – Desert Rhino Camp

 

Another life-changing experience awaits guests at Desert Rhino Camp, set in the rugged, lunar-like landscape of the Kaokoveld. The camp lies in a remote valley of the Palmwag Concession. Here guests are greeted by smiling faces –the Desert Rhino Camp family – who love to sing and dance…

 

 

Take in the beauty of the night around an evening campfire, transfixed by twinkling stars, the hum of chatter and the excitement of exploration that awaits on your early morning drive.

 

Visitors are invited to track one of Africa’s largest free-ranging populations of Critically Endangered desert-adapted black rhino. Rhino tracking takes places by vehicle and on foot in the company of skilled trackers from Save the Rhino Trust. During your explorations, look out for giraffe, desert-adapted elephant, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, oryx, springbok and spotted hyaena – as well as host of smaller and equally fascinating desert creatures.

 

 

Experiences include daily game drives, nature walks, rhino tracking and if you’re feeling brave, a guided night walk to look for scorpions by UV-light.

 

Accommodation: The camp has eight comfortable Meru-style tents and a main area that overlooks a sweeping plain dotted with Namibia’s national plant, the welwitschia.

A River Runs Through It – Serra Cafema

 

Venture to the far northern reaches of Namibia and our most remote camp in the country. Serra Cafema, situated on the banks of the permanently flowing Kunene River, is shaded by a verdant grove of trees, interrupted in stillness only by the soothing sounds of flowing water.

 

 

Explore by quad bike, or take an evening stroll to the top of a dune to view the vast tapestry of sand that stretches as far as the eye can see. Boating on the Kunene is another highlight – and bird watchers will enjoy viewing myriad water and desert birds along the way.

 

Meet the semi-nomadic Himba people who live in the area. Respectful guest interactions with the Himba are welcomed – an opportunity to learn about their unique customs and lifestyle.

 

Serra Cafema is the ideal place to unwind - complete with a strong dose of adventure. The scenic beauty of the area, combined with a variety of desert experiences, means you’ll need time to fully immerse yourself… booking a longer stay is well advised!

 

Accommodation: Eight chalets are set on elevated decks and crafted in wood, canvas and thatch to create a unique camp that is at one with its surroundings, and celebrates the culture of the Himba people. The Ozonganda (Herero, meaning “main area”) affords spectacular views over the Kunene River.

Be Swept Away: Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp

 

This award-winning camp lies in a remote area of the Kaokoveld, with gravel-strewn plains and dry riverbeds that draw in fascinating wildlife.

 

The area is renowned for its surprising wealth of desert-adapted wildlife – elephants, giraffe, oryx, brown hyaena, springbok and lions are among some of the more frequently seen animals. The camp is also a base for research, with studies currently being conducted on desert-adapted lions, elephants and brown hyaena.

 

 

The legendary Skeleton Coast, famed for its shipwrecks, is easily accessed from the camp – either by vehicle or scenic flight. This wild coastline is a sight to behold with a large Cape fur seal colony that can be seen en masse, as they lie placidly basking in the sun.

 

At the Hoanib Research Centre, presentations by, and interactions with, wildlife researchers are possible when they are in camp. These cover all the current research being supported at Hoanib, in particular the vital work conducted by Dr Philip Stander who is studying the unique desert-adapted lion.

 

There’s a whole lot of adventure to enjoy from daily game drives to dune explorations and much more… Make sure to stay for at least three nights or more to enjoy everything there is to see and do – along with some down time in your beautiful tented suite!

 

 

Accommodation: Eight large en-suite tents (including one family tent) and the main area and pool look out over a wide, rugged valley that slopes down to the almost-always dry Hoanib River.

Off the Beaten Track: Damaraland Camp

 

The original partnership lodge in Namibia, Damaraland Camp is known for its welcoming, friendly and enthusiastic Damara and Riemvasmaker staff. The chic and elegant, yet environmentally sustainable camp is as perfectly positioned for ventures into the Huab River Valley in search of desert-adapted elephant as it is for visits to the local villages and family outposts. In this area, people live with wildlife and are proudly passionate about sharing it – and their culture – with visitors.

 

 

Activities include nature drives, walks, rock art excursions and cultural visits to the neighbouring community.

 

 

Accommodation: Ten stylish family tents look out over spectacular mountainous terrain. Spend your down time enjoying the sweeping views from the comfort of your suite.

Explorations and Privately Guided Journeys

 

Feeling adventurous?

 

 

Privately Guided Journeys in Namibia offer a range of adventurous itineraries in the form of serviced camping safaris. These exciting itineraries allow guests to truly get their feet on the ground and be at one with nature.