Namibia
In the North of the country lies the Etosha National Park with its dry plains teeming with wildlife including elephants, zebras, Giraffes, kudus, lions and Hyenas. In the center of the country lies the barren Namib Desert with its enormous sand dunes and gravel plains. In the Western region, you will find the Skeleton coast bordering the Atlantic Ocean, which is renowned for its marine wildlife and shipwrecks dotted all over the coastline. In addition, you can combine a trip to Namibia while visiting the neighboring Botswana. Such a trip certainly represents one of the ultimate African safaris.
You will find below a list of our preferred lodges in Namibia.
-
Little Kulala, a luxurious desert retreat, is situated in the private 37 000-hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve - the gateway to Namibia's Sand Sea with its towering red dunes and clear starry skies.
The 11 climate-controlled, thatched "kulalas" (the word means 'to sleep') merge impeccably into the timeless desert landscape, with exquisite fittings and fixtures, innovative bleached decks each with a private plunge pool. Each kulala has a rooftop 'skybed' for romantic stargazing, with both indoor and outdoor showers.
Desert-adapted wildlife such as ostrich, springbok and gemsbok eke out an existence and are sparsely distributed here. Smaller creatures such as bat-eared fox and aardwolf can be seen at night in the cool desert air, and one bird, the aptly named dune lark, has its entire global distribution limited to the area, so dependent is it on the area's characteristic sands.
Early morning guided game drives to the spectacular towering dunes of Sossusvlei are through a private gate into the reserve. Sossusvlei is situated within the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world, which itself is part of the Namib Naukluft National Park that stretches 400km south of Walvis Bay and is sandwiched between the west coast and the escarpment that runs parallel more than 100km inland. Its huge red dunes and flat valley floors make up the archetypical view of the Namib that is world famous.
Guided drives and walks are also offered on the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve with incredible views, desert-adapted wildlife and plants. A balloon safari at extra cost offers a unique experience soaring silently above the desert before landing for a champagne breakfast.
-
Etosha National Park is Namibia's premier wildlife destination and at almost the size of Switzerland it is certainly one of Africa's largest game parks. Large herds of plains game concentrate around the waterholes in the dry season, whilst the summer month's sporadic rainfall produces a profusion of life.
A warm welcome awaits at this intimate and exclusive lodge, with unrivalled privacy in only three spacious, private and luxurious units each with its own plunge pool, 'sala', en-suite bathroom - along with a bath with a view - and indoor and outdoor shower.
The Ongava Game Reserve is situated on the southern boundary of Etosha National Park, enabling large game such as elephant and lion to move between the Park and the private reserve. Day and night wildlife-viewing drives, and walks with experienced guides, can all be enjoyed exclusively on this reserve. Game drives and daytrips into the easily accessible Okaukuejo area of Etosha National Park are rewarding, with sightings of lion, elephant, gemsbok, springbok, red hartebeest, and white and black rhino. Guests at Little Ongava share a dedicated guide and Land Rover, ensuring the best possible nature experience at one of Africa's great wildlife destinations.
A highlight at Ongava is that it is one of the few private game reserves in southern Africa where there is a chance of seeing both black and white rhino. For those who enjoy close wildlife encounters, tracking white rhino on foot with a guide is a highlight not to be missed.
-
Set amongst ancient albida trees on the banks of the Kunene River, the only permanent source of water in the region, Serra Cafema is one of the most remote camps in southern Africa. Rapids just below camp provide a calming ambiance; guests fall asleep to the sound of rushing water, while by day they explore one of the driest deserts in the world.
The camp has 8 canvas and thatched chalets on spacious decks, each with its own en-suite bathroom. Attention to detail, elevated decks and simple structures of wood, canvas and thatch create a camp that is at one with its surroundings.
The variety of activities to explore the breathtaking landscape includes informative nature drives that tread lightly on the fragile habitats and boating on the Kunene River, where crocodiles and waterbirds seem out of place in this moonscape environment. Walking in the remote mountain and river valleys are also a highlight, as is a visit to a Himba settlement, should the nomadic people be in the area. One of the highlights of Serra Cafema is the carefully guided quad bike excursions that tread lightly on the dunes, while allowing guests to experience a true desert.
-
Skeleton Coast Camp, in a private concession area, has one of the most spectacular settings on the continent. This concession is diverse - from roaring sand dunes and windswept plains to towering canyons, saltpans and Cape fur seal colonies. Freshwater springs and the early morning mist off the Atlantic Ocean sustain a surprising amount of life, from larger mammals to the extraordinary welwitschia plant.
The camp is built on an island in the dry Khumib riverbed, about 20km inland from the coastline and comprises six Meru-style tents with spacious bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms.
Because of the uniqueness and vastness of this area, most activities are done in 4x4 vehicles that are closed to the elements, although all vehicles have pop-top roofs and sliding windows to enjoy the fine weather. Activities include full-day nature drives or walks with a picnic lunch, returning to camp in the evening. Due to the pristine nature of this area many parts are accessible only on foot, as vehicle tracks can damage the environment. Many specially-adapted plant species such as Lithops and Welwitschia can be visited in this way.
Other excursions comprise visits to the clay castles of the Hoarusib River, Rocky Point, the roaring dunes, lichen fields, Cape fur seal colonies, Himba villages, and birding. Shipwrecks, now fast being devoured by the salty and vigorous coastline, can be viewed on request. Secret water seeps attract wildlife, so guests can see desert-adapted elephant, gemsbok, springbok, giraffe, ostrich, brown hyaena, Hartmann's mountain zebra and occasionally lion and cheetah.
-
Sossusvlei Desert Reserve is set in the far northern part of the NamibRand Nature Reserve in Namibia, a vast area of over 180 000 hectares (444 800 acres) that lies between the endless dune fields of the Namib Desert and the jagged mountains of the escarpment. Offering an experience that encompasses both sandy dunes and rocky outcrops, guests to the NamibRand are guaranteed to view a variety of desert habitats.
The Lodge is surrounded by rocky outcrops that form the foothills of the Nubib Mountains, which are visible to the east. A variety of different rock types occur in the area, creating spectacular formations with different textures and colours as far as the eye can see. Vast plains and valley floors extend to the south of the Lodge, where caves and petrified dunes created from sandstone can be viewed. Further south lie vast stretches of distinctive red sand dunes, extending for thousands of square kilometres into the heart of the Namib. Whether rocky hillside, sandy plain, dry river bed or sand dune, each of the habitats found around the Lodge form a home for characteristic plants and animals.
