Damaraland

Brandberg Rest Camp is located in the village of Uis in the heart of Damaraland, an unspoiled rural area in Namibia, between Swakopmund and the Etosha Game Reserve. The Brandberg is the highest mountain in Namibia and is famous for the White Lady and other Bushman paintings as well as its diverse geology. The mountain is very popular for hikers, and hiking and other guides can be arranged on request. The area is also popular for its unspoiled beauty, Desert Elephants, and herds of zebra, and springbok that roam free in the wilderness. The Rest Camp offers affordable accommodation in en-suite rooms, self-catering accommodation, or camping, and other facilities include a swimming pool, restaurant, bar, and Internet facilities.

Brandberg White Lady Lodge is a rustic lodge situated in the Damaraland (Tsiseb Conservancy) about 2 km from Namibia’s highest mountain the Brandberg. The main building is built with natural materials from the surrounding area with a thatched roof. All accommodation is widely spread out on the bank of the Ugab River, ensuring a quiet, tranquil and relaxed stay. We are an eco friendly lodge running on solar power. The rooms have fans and electrical points.

‘Kipwe’ meaning blessed in Swahili, is revealed amongst gorgeous boulders with sweeping views across the Aba Huab valley in the stunning ancient landscape of the Damaraland desert. When entering the nine dome shaped rooms you will feel like entering a cool secluded cave, whilst relaxing on the outside decks you once again become one with the breath-taking landscape, connecting you with superb views beyond. Nestled within these boulders, you are led from your room to your partially open outdoor bathroom where you can enjoy a starlit showering experience. Kipwe’s Suite provides you with all this and yet even more elegance, space and style for discerning guests.

Damaraland Camp is situated in the Huab River Valley in one of the best wilderness areas in Namibia, offering endless vistas across stark plains, ancient valleys and a stunning ochre-purple mountain backdrop. Activities include nature drives and walks while further afield, ancient rock art and geological wonders dot the area. Ten large adobe-style thatched units (including a family unit) are raised off the ground, each with a walk-in dressing area and a large deck on which to sit and contemplate the desert. The spacious public living area comprises a dining area and swimming pool. An open campfire and outdoor boma are enjoyed during calm evenings and stargazing is superb, thanks to the crystal-clear night skies.

Built in the wattle and daub style under Mopane trees and connected by a labyrinth of paths, the main building and chalets of the lodge look like an African village. The walls are adorned by copies of the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein. Each of the 60 double room chalets (with air conditioning) sits in a vegetable and herb garden surrounded by a low wall. The gardens supply fresh ingredients for supper, which consists of a starter followed by a delicious buffet. There is a swimming pool for chilling out and a viewing point for relishing sunsets. The lodge at the gates of Damaraland is ideally suited for excursions to Twyfelfontein, the Petrified Forest and the Vingerklip rock pillar.

Desert Rhino Camp offers an original and exclusive wilderness experience and the possibility of seeing some of the largest free-ranging population of desert-adapted black rhino in Africa. The camp set in a wide valley sometimes flush with grass, has eight large meru-style tents with en-suite bathrooms. A tented dining and living area and plunge pool offers uninterrupted views of the desert and mountains, while extraordinary Welwitschia plants dot the plain in front of camp.  Other species seen in the area include Hartmann’s mountain zebra, giraffe and lion. Desert Rhino Camp is run in conjunction with Save the Rhino Trust so in addition to gaining amazing insight into the ecology and conservation of this area, a portion of guest revenue goes to the Trust and its conservation operations.

Dramatically set in the foothills of the Grootberg massif, Etendeka Mountain Camp appeals to the traveller who is prepared to step outside of their comfort zone and experience this remote wilderness with its harsh beauty in an authentic way. Here one is reminded that we are all guests of Mother Nature. Pathways lead to ten private shaded en-suite Meru tents with their stunning eco-friendly open-air “bucket” showers. The tents and bathroom have individual solar lighting. It is simple comfort in a rugged and harsh landscape. A rich and diverse environment to be explored on foot or on a scenic drive. The Etendeka basalt lava flows and flat top mountains are nothing short of spectacular and although seemingly inhospitable are full of hidden life.

The Etendeka Overnight Walking Trail Experience set in the foothills of the Grootberg Massif is a unique new offering from the Etendeka Lodge. Choose either the 2 or 3 night experience with the additional option of extending your experience with a night or two at the original Etendeka Mountain Camp. The experience promises to be an authentic and exhilarating engagement with nature. Trek through one of Namibia’s most remote and untouched landscapes on foot, have sundowners as you look out over never ending vistas of ancient rock formations and sleep under a blanket of stars. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to connect with nature.

Doro Nawas rests on the edge of the dry Aba-Huab River overlooking ancient plains with glorious views of the rugged Damaraland area. The camp provides an excellent base for exploring in game drive vehicles and on foot, as well as excursions to view fascinating geological phenomena, petroglyphs (prehistoric rock engravings) and San rock art at Twyfelfontein, Namibia’s first World Heritage Site. The 16 chalets are crafted in wood, canvas and thatch (including a family unit) to blend in with the surrounding scenery. Each unit comprises a bedroom, bathroom, outdoor shower, and veranda for star gazing or sleep outs under the stars. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas, a pool area and a small curio shop.

Perched on the rim of the Etendeka Plateau, Grootberg Lodge stands sentinel over the Klip River Valley. The lodge is the ideal midway stopover for visitors travelling between Etosha National Park and Swakopmund, allowing them to experience the true wilderness that is Damaraland. Fourteen cosy twin chalets and two-family units, powered with solar energy, are perched along the edge of the Etendeka Plateau and will make you feel at home. They are built from natural materials to blend into the surroundings. Private decks provide stunning views across the Klip River Valley. Each chalet is equipped with a private bathroom, a desk and a coffee and tea station. There are no electrical outlets, but we have a charging station in the main area of the lodge.

Hobatere Lodge is strategically located 65 km north of Kamanjab on the western border of the Etosha National Park. The lodge has an airstrip and is situated in a concession area of 8,808 ha which is home to a wide selection of game, including elephant, giraffe, eland and Hartmann’s zebra. Thatched roofs keep the well-appointed chalets cool and offer shade against the heat of the African savannah. A dip in the pool refreshes after a day of game viewing. Six cosy chalets (Rondavels) as well as six comfortable, adjoining rooms (bungalows) ensure a pleasant stay. The en-suite bathrooms are equipped with a shower, toilet and washbasin plus complimentary toiletries. Your ‘second home in the wild’ is furnished with a desk and a coffee and tea station, and it sports a deck at the front. Hobatere Lodge is powered entirely by solar panels. Therefore the rooms have no sockets for electrical kettles. Instead, hot water flasks are provided for guests to enjoy tea or coffee with homemade biscuits in the comfort of their rooms.