Vingerklip Lodge

‘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.

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.

Torra Bay Campsite is a seasonal fishing retreat, situated inside the Skeleton Coast Park on the Atlantic coast. Open only in December and January, Torra Bay is famous in the angling circle due to the variety and quantity of fish that come down the Atlantic current.

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.

Between Kaokoland and the Skeleton Coast, where the flat-topped Etendeka mountains and the carpet of rich red rock greet the tributaries of the Uniab River, lies Palmwag Lodge and Camp. Amid swaying makalani palms and robust mopane trees nourished by underground water, the lodge overlooks the sweeping northern Damaraland landscape peppered with green euphorbias.

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.

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.

IGowati Country Lodge in Damaraland is situated in the town of Khorixas and is in close vicinity of Vingerklip, Petrified Forrest, Burnt Mountain, Twyfelfontein and Organ Pipes. The lodge is also the perfect stopover on your way to Etosha or Uis and the White Lady rock painting or even Torra Bay and the Skeleton Coast Park. The lodge offer 19 en-suite rooms, 6 family units, 2 self-catering units and 3 single rooms at affordable prices. There are fans in the rooms, a la carte restaurant, bar with DSTV and swimming pool. Rooms are either double or twin beds. 10 camping sites on green lawn with clean ablutions. Day trips to all sights in the area.

Twyfelfontein Country Lodge, a true landmark, is situated in the heart of one of the world’s most magnificent wilderness regions. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Twyfelfontein in Damaraland is home to one of the largest collections of rock-art engravings found in Southern Africa. Not only did the Khoi-San and tribes of ancient years leave us with a true cultural heritage, but the whole area is characterised by natural wonders such as Doros Crater, Burnt Mountain, Organ Pipes, Petrified Forest and desert-adapted animals – of which the desert-adapted elephant is probably the most well-known species. Nestled along the mountainside, the lodge beautifully blends in with its surrounding environment. Using natural stone, carefully selected paint colours and thatched roofs, its design compliments the sandstone rock formations with minimum visual impact on this picturesque landscape. Magnificent views from the deck over the Huab Valley, desert plains and distant mountains provide for hours of relaxed comfort, peace and tranquillity.