With landscapes that swing all the way from sun-cracked pans and towering dunes, to beaches lashed with waves, to wildlife sanctuaries that defy belief, Namibia could never be called anything less than scenic. In destinations like these, the presence of any camp at all already seems impossible, and Namibia’s collection of luxury properties make your trip even more magical. Take a look at our favourite routes and secluded spots to experience Namibia in luxury.
A classic road trip across Namibia
Once your 4×4 is packed with sun hats, walking shoes and plenty of water, this road trip begins with a dose of classic safari in Otjiwarongo. You’ll traverse its pretty plains on foot, learning about the hidden treasures of the bush and even tracking cheetah at the AfriCat sanctuary.
Next up, beautiful beaches and a good helping of adventure call from Swakopmund. Take your pick from dolphin spotting from a catamaran and birdwatching in the coastal wetlands; or turn things up a notch with inland excursions like sand boarding and quad biking amidst the dunes. And Swakopmund’s fresh and succulent seafood is just what the doctor ordered on your return.
Make the superlatively scenic drive north to Etosha, where hundreds upon hundreds of elephant, zebra, giraffe and antelopes – not to mention the big cats – gather around the iconic waterholes. Take a drive through the arid landscape and simply park near one of these pools, then wait and watch as a parade of wildlife fills the scene.
Swap Namibia’s wildlife for the sun-scorched Namib-Naukluft National Park, where the dunes rise like skyscrapers and solitary oryx find refuge in their vast shadows. Starting before sunrise, climb one of the tallest freestanding dunes in the world and be rewarded by a spectacular vista at the top, or see it all from the basket of a hot air balloon, from which the dunes look like stars scattered across the desert.
The final stop on your epic journey is the rugged Damaraland, where you’ll drive past herds of desert-adapted elephant as they swagger across the terrain, and track black rhino on foot. Damaraland could also be described as nature’s time capsule and amongst the wildlife and scenery, you’ll discover ancient stone engravings and a surreal petrified forest. A fitting end to a trip filled with natural phenomena, Damaraland has to be seen to be believed.
Opulent spots to stay
A self-driving trip doesn’t mean roughing it (unless that’s what you’re looking for) and stellar properties abound even in the remotest corners. Overlooking a waterhole, Okonjima Villa enjoys the perks of being in a private reserve in Otjiwarongo and as the only guests, you’re promised the highest level of care including a private host, chef and guided vehicle. Your bed can even be wheeled onto the deck for a night under the stars! In Swakopmund, the Strand has everything you could possibly need whilst in the city: we’re talking massages to fantastic sushi on tap, not to mention a spectacular peninsular location and the views that come with it.
It’s hard to pick what we love most about Etosha’s Onguma Camp Kala. It could be the delicately curated interiors, the state-of-the-art photographic hide or the enormous suites with their own firepit, hot tub and plunge pool… Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is surrounded by kilometres of desert and oozes style from every pore, whilst in Damaraland our top pick is Sorris Sorris Lodge for Egyptian cotton sheets and sublime views from the boulder-top firepit.
Safaris, dunes & shipwrecks
Combine ethereal ocean views and desert beauty on a trip packed with Namibia’s highlights. Your first stop is one of the most otherworldly locations in Africa, the mythical Skeleton Coast, where ghostly shipwrecks dot the beach and the tumble of the waves is the only sound to be heard. While you could spend all day entranced by the view, head down to the shoreline to see one of the largest colonies of Cape fur seals in the world, explore the famous wrecks, or head inland, where the dunes hide a bevy of desert-adapted wildlife.
Follow the shoreline south for a taste of Namibia at its busiest in Swakopmund. There are museums and Germanic architecture to enjoy, delightful cruises complete with oysters and champagne, and for the real adrenaline-seekers, skydiving over the Namib Desert!
Speaking of which, the overwhelming vastness of the NamibRand is up next, where people are a rare sight. Wrinkled mountains form the background for treks across the dunes and desert landscapes, and helicopter flights offer the chance to see the fascinating fairy circles from the sky. Then, traverse landscapes that contrast so starkly, you’ll pinch yourself twice just to be sure. Your destination: Etosha, one of Namibia’s most incredible wildlife havens where elephant, wildebeest, big cats, and even black rhino and white rhino roam between the waterholes.
Your final stop is the spectacular and dramatic Damaraland, a place where desert-dwelling wildlife wanders beneath mountains on pilgrimages to find fresh water. Take a horseback safari and get closer to these incredible creatures than you thought possible…
Opulent spots to stay
Despite its incredibly remote location, Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp manages to outdo itself every time. From delicious dishes served with a side of views to siestas spent in the infinity pool, you’ll be in heaven. In Swakopmund, the Strand is dressed to the nines in elegant furnishings and the ocean views never get old, especially over a cold craft beer on the terrace.
Somewhere between a Martian homestead and vintage safari, Zannier Hotels Sonop is full of flair, while at Etosha, Little Ongava is small but perfectly formed, with three wonderfully-private suites, all with plunge pools and a seat at the photographic hide. With a simple but effective style that blends right into the desert, the villas at Onduli Ridge in Damaraland are entirely open-fronted for the ultimate view – you don’t even have to get out of bed to watch the sunrise!
The ultimate Namibia flying safari
Embark on the trip of a lifetime, soaring between three of Namibia’s most spectacular destinations by plane. You’ll first touch down on the Skeleton Coast, an eerily-beautiful stretch of sand where thousands of seals bark at the waves, shaggy hyenas roam, and you’ll feel like the only souls on Earth.
Namibia’s iconic wildlife hangout, Etosha, is up next and you’ll barely have a second to put your camera down in between animal encounters. The scenes around the waterhole are worthy of a National Geographic documentary, from majestic herds of elephant to lone rhino who appear quietly from the bush.
Last but certainly not least, you’ll soar across a burnished orange landscape, spotting gargantuan dunes and ant-sized oryx. Land on terra firma and begin your exploration of Sossusvlei on foot, summiting its sandy monoliths (and sandboarding down their slopes), and taking in the sights at Deadvlei where fossilised trees form long, shadowy figures on the ground.
Opulent spots to stay
Truly one-of-a-kind, the Skeleton Coast Shipwreck Lodge is a vision. Creatively designed to look like miniature ships, a wood-burning stove and plush amenities turn each chalet into a cosy pod. In Etosha, Onguma Camp Kala is a designer dream with just four suites (or should we say mansions) with their own pools and hot tubs – and all perfectly positioned for spying on the waterhole. Nestled in a private reserve in Sossusvlei, Little Kulala Lodge is a desert oasis with pared-back style that belongs on the pages of Arch Digest. And did we mention the private pool and luxury sleepouts on the terrace?
A scenic self-drive through northern Namibia
Take in the full scope of Namibia on a road trip around the gems of the north of the country, beginning with Otjiwarongo. Here, you’ll rumble amongst majestic table-top mountains and grassy vales, spotting a host of unique wildlife, and gain insights into the hard-won conservation of Namibia’s big cats.
Make a detour to the coast of Swakopmund, where you’ll stroll down boulevards and snack on German pastries, explore the shoreline, and lean into adventure with a day spent quad biking, sandboarding or skydiving – it’ll be hard to top that view.
Onwards to Etosha, one of Namibia’s most wildlife-dense parks where hordes of giraffe, antelope, elephant, zebra – and even the rare rhino – wander in search of water. If you happen to be visiting after the new year rains, you’ll be greeted by a vast lagoon where a host of birds flock in their hundreds.
Travelling further and further off the beaten track, you’ll arrive in Erongo, an otherworldly landscape punctuated by giant boulders. The goal is to hike, hike and hike some more (don’t worry – you can take it slow!), discovering galleries of rock art and vantage points from which to ogle the wilderness below.
Your very last stop is the seemingly endless plains and plateaus of Damaraland, where a safari comes in many forms. Experience it in the finest detail, learning to recognise bird calls and tracks on a guided walk, move amongst herds of antelope on horseback, or set out to track black rhino on foot.
Opulent spots to stay
A favourite property in Otjiwarongo is the Okonjima Bush Suite, which is artfully designed with Nambian flair, while in Swakopmund, we love Pelican Point, a former harbour control station, which has been given a luxury makeover to ensure the highest comfort.
In a private reserve on the border of Etosha, we mean it when we say Andersson’s at Ongava is exquisite, from the gorgeous interiors (that almost have no walls at all) to the superb photographic hide and editing nook. A picture-perfect spot in a private corner of Erongo, Epako Safari Lodge promises days tailored just for you, and Camp Kipwe in Damaraland is a true gem with its sweeping views from every corner including your private, outdoor bathtub.
The hidden gems of Namibia
This trip will take you through landscapes that not many will see in their lifetime. You’ll begin at the Skeleton Coast, a surreal scene where the tumbling Atlantic collides with the desert. On walks and meandering drives, you’ll marvel at the wildlife that has discovered the secret to surviving here. Hardy elephant walk for miles in search of water, brown hyenas can often be spied attempting to find lunch at the 200,000-strong seal colony, and lions meander across the dunes.
In a country of extreme scenery, Kaokoland could easily take first place, with its acres of wind-shaped sand dunes where humans are as rare as trees. Uninhabitable? Not quite… The Himba people have spent centuries mastering life here and joining them on a walk is a real highlight. Oh, and did we mention that the stargazing is unlike anything you’ve ever seen…
This may be a trip round the most untouched corners of Namibia, but we couldn’t leave out Etosha (although the Zambezi Region is a lush alternative). Often, the beauty of a safari is the patience of waiting for an animal to appear, and in Etosha that happens to be very easy. Your guide will lead you to a well-chosen waterhole, and then it’s just a matter of time before a parade of wildlife, large and small, begin to arrive.
Remote, striking and enigmatic, Damaraland makes the perfect end to your adventure. Hulking mountains, fossilised trees and blond grasses form an otherworldly setting, where desert-adapted elephant, black rhino and herds of mountain zebra roam freely.
Opulent spots to stay
Even if there were a hundred other choices, the Skeleton Coast Shipwreck Lodge would still get our vote for your first stop. Perched on a sandy ridge, the cabins manage to encapsulate both adventure and pampering luxury and are comfortable and cosy. In a gloriously secluded valley in Kaokoland, Hoanib Valley Camp boasts a collection of chic tented suites, decorated with motifs that pay homage to the nearby giraffe conservation project (a must visit!) and a plunge pool set high upon the rocks. Super spacious and dressed in soothing, sandy tones, Andersson’s at Ongava enjoys an enviable location right beside a busy waterhole, and in Damaraland, book into Mowani Mountain Camp, a cluster of domed structures adorning a rocky outcrop. You’ll remember the four-course dinners forever…
