Namib Guesthouse

Two courtyards provide the social heartbeat here - one grassy and central where breakfasts are enjoyed at a leisurely pace, another sunny spot perfect for plotting your next desert escapade. The breakfast room doubles as an honesty bar (because what's life without a sundowner after sandboarding?), whilst the whole setup feels more like staying with particularly hospitable friends than checking into a formal guesthouse. Contemporary furnishings keep things stylish, whilst thoughtful touches like secure parking show they've got the practical stuff sorted too.

Thirteen rooms range from cosy doubles to a proper family suite, all blessed with that increasingly rare commodity: peace and quiet. Contemporary décor keeps things refreshingly unfussy - think clean lines, colourful feature walls, and furniture that actually looks comfortable rather than just photogenic. Each room gets its own entrance (no tiptoeing past reception), whilst deluxe options spoil you with both a shower and bathtub. Satellite TV, safes, and proper coffee facilities ensure those creature comforts are accounted for.

Swakopmund's adventure playground starts right outside your door. Quad bike through towering dunes with names like 'Big Billy' and 'Devil's Dip', or master the art of sandboarding (surfing down dunes never felt so exhilarating). Living desert tours reveal the surprising wildlife hiding in apparent emptiness, whilst Walvis Bay boat trips offer encounters with seals, dolphins, and pelicans. For proper adrenaline junkies, there's skydiving, paragliding, and 4WD expeditions to remote Sandwich Harbour where dunes tumble straight into the Atlantic.