If you’re anything like us, holidaying at a sprawling resort doesn’t have quite the same magic as a beautiful, boutique property where you feel like the only guests in residence… Enter, Namibia: home of some of the continent’s most unique escapes in the remotest of locations. From creative camps surrounded by the silence of the desert, to lodges where close-up wildlife sightings are as guaranteed as the sunrise. Whether you long to be as far from other people as possible or love sharing stories round the fire with fellow travellers, these Namibia boutique hotels have something for everyone.
Onguma Camp Kala
Superbly placed, right in the eyeline of a popular waterhole, the suites at Camp Kala are more like mini lodges all on their own. Glass-fronted with spacious interiors and show-stopper decks with wood-fired hot tubs, enormous daybeds and plunge pools, they will quickly become your favourite place to watch the comings and goings at the waterhole… And with only four of them, you’re guaranteed an exclusive experience. At the central area, expect an edgy but natural style with plenty of influences from the surrounding landscape. This area is in fact designed to look like a giant termite mound, complete with a wildlife-viewing hide at the base, providing you with unrestricted spying and the photographs of a lifetime. While the safari experience from camp is top-notch, you can also venture into the Onguma Nature Reserve by foot or vehicle. For something extra special, the Dream Cruiser comes with its own bedroom and lounge. Game drives don’t get more exclusive than that!
Wolwedans Dune Camp
Surrounded by miles of terracotta-red earth, Wolwedans Dune Camp wants for nothing in the views department. Secluded doesn’t begin to describe this place, especially with its location in the private NamibRand Reserve, where few tourists ever venture. In both the bedroom suites and the main camp, ‘walls’ are rolled up, see-through, or simply non-existant to ensure the sublime landscape is always visible. After sunset, your four-poster bed can be placed on the deck for a spot of stargazing from under the duvet. If you can drag yourself away from your retreat, head out on walks to spot the shy creatures that lurk amongst the scrub (black-backed jackals, oryx and zebra to name a few), or take a game drive further afield and explore the ever-changing desert plains. But if all you would like to do is soak in your private silo-turned-plunge-pool at Dune Camp, we wouldn’t blame you…
Pelican Point
If ‘boutique’ means unique and unusual, then Pelican Point certainly meets expectations. On a blissfully remote peninsula overlooking Walvis Bay on Namibia’s Atlantic Coast – and plenty of frolicking Cape fur seal – this defunct harbour control station has been transformed into a luxury abode with plenty of soft touches and beachy furnishings. Like a mirage along the pristine stretch of sand, the hotel still shares its beach with the Pelican Point Lighthouse and you can really get into the spirit of things by booking the Captain’s Cove Suite – the views are striking! From Pelican Point, there are zero barriers between you and the windswept coastline so lose time on meandering walks, kayak along the shore, or spot dolphins, seals and flamingos. When the mist rolls in from the Atlantic, it’ll feel like you’ve arrived at the very ends of the Earth…
Hoodia Desert Lodge
Unobtrusive thatch and canvas structures amidst the stark, rugged terrain, Hoodia has roots that run deep. Watched over by the towering Namib-Naukluft Mountains, the lodge’s design was inspired by nature including outdoor bathtubs carved from stone, and a pool that has been sculpted into the rockface. Inside, interiors are decorated with original work by local artists and there are plenty of cosy spots to swap stories from the day. Outside, get acquainted with the surreal landscape on adventures into Sossusvlei; hikes, horseback rides and picnics in the location of your choice. Hoodia is still family-run and the atmosphere is warm with a real sense of community – a real oasis in the Namib Desert.
Onduli Ridge
‘Ordinary’ isn’t a word in Onduli Ridge’s vocabulary. Walls are passé, and the domed rooms are built amongst great boulders (even your shower!) and can remain open-fronted for as long as you like. Why not have your bed rolled onto the deck and fall asleep counting stars beneath one of the clearest skies in the world? Every space at Onduli was created to draw your gaze to the vast, lunar landscape of Damaraland – including Namibia’s tallest mountain, whether you’re sunning by the pool or dining like royalty (the food is that good). When it comes to exploring, there are hikes to see the rock art at Twyfelfontein, game drives where you’ll spot desert-adapted elephant, giraffe and lion, and tracking highly-endangered black rhino on foot. Magic.
Serra Cafema
Otherworldly and breathtaking, Kaokoland is quite unlike anywhere else you will have been before. As you travel to Serra Cafema, it’s hard to imagine much life existing here… but then, you’ll spot the glossy waters of the Kunene River, Angola glittering on the opposite banks, and Serra Cafema amongst it all. Built amongst the trees, every room enjoys this picturesque view and there are plenty of decks to position yourself upon. With an industrial yet grounded style, Serra Cafema is adorned with artwork and artisanal furnishings. You’ll only love it more knowing they only use sustainable materials and solar power to create this riverside haven – the perfect place to return to after cruising downstream, hiking into the valley or spending a day with the remarkable Himba people.
Shipwreck Lodge
The beaches of the Skeleton Coast are scattered with the aged bones of whales and the ships that never made it to their destination. Gazing across this scene from atop the dunes is Shipwreck Lodge, its cabins 21st-century reimaginings of the vessels below. Their lopsided, Wonderland-esque exteriors conceal plush rooms, made extra cosy by fluffy blankets and wood-burning stoves. They make for a welcome sight after exploring mist-enveloped beaches, visiting seal colonies, seeing the famous shipwrecks up-close and sundowners amongst the dunes. Falling asleep in a cocoon in the wilderness as waves crash against the coast is unforgettable…
Andersson’s at Ongava
Find yourself within mere metres of some of Africa’s most amazing wildlife at Andersson’s, which sits in a private reserve on the edge of Etosha National Park. With glass-fronted tents and open-air lounges, encountering and appreciating nature is at the forefront of the experience. While the nearby waterhole welcomes plenty of four-legged visitors, game drives or walking safaris are rich with sightings too. The guides also know that capturing these moments on camera allows you to relive them over and over, and you can snap plenty of photos from the underground hide – and then examine the fruits of your efforts at the photography nook afterwards. Andersson’s isn’t just a pretty face either and their resident scientists will happily share their knowledge about conserving Etosha’s endangered creatures, including black and white rhino!
Zannier Sonop
Tucked amongst a large cluster of boulders, you could easily miss Zannier Sonop at first glance. And this is just how they like it! An unobtrusive camp in the Namib’s Martian landscape, there are endless chances to explore up here (day or night), marvelling at colossal sand dunes and scanning the desert for oryx, brown hyena and smaller, scuttling wildlife. Beyond its beige exterior, Zannier Sonop is the height of luxury. The meals make the journey worthwhile all on their own, and the multi-course feasts are served in a chandeliered tent. Bedroom tents are decorated with vintage-style trinkets and furnishings, including Persian rugs, globes and your own telescope to partake in the incredible stargazing. And a long, bubbly soak in your copper tub is just the ticket after a day in the desert. There’s also a fabulous pool and, just next door, an outdoor cinema! It’s not every day…
