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Northern Namibia’s newest retreat, Hoanib Valley is a stylish, six-bedroom tented camp in the heart of the remote and rugged Kaokoland. In an era of "conservation-focused" camps, Hoanib Valley actually does what it says on the tin, and the venture is a joint partnership between the local communities and the resident Giraffe Conservation Project. As well as learning about the protection of the stately, sadly endangered, giraffe in the region, you’ll be able to drive through herds of desert-adapted elephant, track rhino, and visit the fascinating Himba and Herero peoples who call this harsh environment home.
From $860 person/night
The earthy and incredibly chic décor. This is certainly no khaki-clad affair and the delicate cushions, luxurious fabrics and soothing colour palettes are beautiful.
Conservation-focused and eco-friendly? You read that right! The camp can be completely dismantled if required, leaving no side effects on the environment, and is run on 100% solar power.
With only six tents, the camp is already intimate, but the tents are close together and there isn’t a huge amount of communal space.
Laid out under a dramatic stretch-canvas roof, the main area houses an indoor dining area, a small bar, and plenty of cosy nooks and crannies to hide away in. Colours, textures and patterns are inspired by the stunning surroundings, including the ochre dunes, the geometric patterns loved by the Himba people and, of course, the giraffe that inspired the project. At the front of the main area, you’ll find a fire pit and views that stretch all the way to the horizon and high in the rocks is a small plunge pool for cooling off.
In a place as remote as Kaokoland, you may expect the sleeping arrangements to be basic; but that's far from the case at Hoanib Valley! The six tents are as stylish as they are comfortable, with enormous beds draped in locally woven fabrics, and squishy beanbags on the veranda, perfect for sinking into after a long day’s elephant viewing. Bathrooms are all en suite, complete with indoor and outdoor showers (and plenty of hot water).
Traverse the rocky mountains and network of dry riverbeds on a game drive, with your binoculars on hand to spot the area's unique, desert-adapted species. Investigate flora and fauna on a bush walk; and learn about the area's culture with the local Himba and Herero communities. Game drives to Skeleton Coast NP can be organised, as can a visit to the Giraffe Conservation Project. Leave some time to simply enjoy the peace and quiet of this remote, very special wilderness.
Hoanib Valley Camp is owned by Natural Selection which is dedicated to conservation, partnering with local communities, governments, and organizations to protect and expand conservation areas. They build eco-friendly camps that blend into the environment and aim to inform guests about Africa's wildlife challenges and successes, hoping to inspire further positive action for wildlife conservation.
A contribution of $27,40 per guest, which is included in the nightly rate, goes towards the above goals.