Unique Stays Across Namibia

Unique Stays

across Namibia

Text Charene Labuschagne

From the ITB 2024 issue

Some call this the land of milk and honey, others name it the land of endless horizons. Namibia is also fondly known as the land of the brave, or the smile on the face of Africa. Many titles have been attributed to this country by locals and visitors alike, and as a local myself, I’ll biasedly say they’re all true. But if only one word were available to do justice to this beautiful place, it would have to be “unique”.

Even though our safaris are indeed unique, Namibia is more than just a safari destination. It is the friendly wave from strangers as you drive through a small town. The secret corners where few have pitched a tent and slept under the stars. Namibia is both dry and lush. Both rugged and fragile. And while our tourism sector boasts a host of lodges that are on par with the best on the continent, we also have a few oddballs in our midst, making for unique stays in a truly unique country.

SWANKY

SHIPWRECK LODGE

As the name suggests, this lodge emulates the vessels that have met their end on our infamously treacherous coast. Ten wood cabins overlook the mouth of the Hoarusib River flowing into the Atlantic Ocean, their backdrop a vast stretch of bisque-coloured dunes. Wood is employed to protrude like rib cages above the cabins and main area and nautical elements like round windows, slanted walls and thoughtful touches of blue bring the theme home. Even more than the aesthetics and luxury amenities, its isolated setting is what really sets Shipwreck apart.

THE NEST @ SOSSUS

Sossusvlei and surrounds is Namibia’s most-frequented tourist destination, and subsequently the lodges in this area offer more or less the same style of amenities and design, save for The Nest. This uber-luxurious private villa features architecturally curved thatch roofs designed to look like the iconic sociable weaver nests that populate the area. The nest style is mirrored on the interior of each of the villa’s three en-suite rooms and expansive lounge area, fitted with rich accents of leather, wood and ambient light. The Nest is fully inclusive and groups have exclusive use of the villa, its guide, butler and chef.

MID-RANGE

JACKALBERRY TENTED CAMP

Overlooking the Linyanti lagoons in Nkasa Rupara National Park, Jackalberry Camp is a unique tented stay in Namibia’s unsung and adventurous panhandle. The lodge’s main area is fashioned around a large namesake tree, its circular shape providing unparalleled 360-degree views of the lush surroundings. Indoor-outdoor living is redefined in two storeys with wide open side panels which can be closed with canvas when necessary. The camp offers four exclusive tented chalets where local materials like reeds and wood have been employed to create an elevated and simplistic space. The view, free-roaming wildlife and the main area are the stars of the show.

HOBATERE TREEHOUSE

Few experiences in Namibia offer this level of isolation and intimacy with the wild. Hobatere Lodge is situated on the western border of Etosha National Park and a passage to Damaraland’s landscape of boulders, beige and red hues, as well as free-roaming lions. The treehouse takes you a considerable distance from the main lodge, where guests are dropped off with dinner, drinks and a spotlight to survey the nearby waterhole after dark. The ground level houses the bathroom with a gas-heated shower and flush toilet, while the upper deck includes a fairytale canopy bed and viewing veranda perched on a large acacia tree. What makes the Hobatere Treehouse truly remarkable is its intense isolation, proximity to the untamed wilderness, and a delicious self- serving dinner setup.

BUDGET

NGEPI CAMP – THE SWIRL

Step into a rustic, thatched wonderland reminiscent of the Nim’s Island movie. Ngepi is known and loved for unmatched chill vibes and their great location on the Okavango Delta, where campsites, treehouses and bush huts overlook either the river or a lush garden forest. While the whole Ngepi comes highly recommended, The Swirl makes our list of unique stays for its storybook ambience, skylight shower and design to see the sun rise between your toes while lying in a king-sized bed. It is built around a tree, yet not harming the tree, and features furniture pieces made from local materials. The Swirl also has basic self-catering equipment for two guests, adding another golden star in our books.

ONJOWEWE LODGE – HOUSE IN THE ROCKS

Originally constructed for a movie set, Onjowewe’s House in the Rocks is a marvel to look at and surprisingly affordable to stay in on a self-catering basis. Built between the boulders synonymous with the Damaraland area, this three-bedroom house offers a pool, fully equipped kitchen and ample lounging space. Guests truly feel like they are stepping into a dystopian film set. With whimsically constructed wood, angled roofs and a flush toilet literally wedged between rocks, the House in the Rocks is an adventure above and beyond the off-the-beaten path it takes to get there.

Many of our visitors come for the wildlife, landscapes and authentic cultural experiences. While these are truly our greatest assets, where you rest your head and experience these memorable vistas, fauna and flora simply adds to an unforgettable holiday in Namibia. We hope our list of unique stays in the land of endless horizons inspires you to venture beyond the ordinary, emerging from the pages of folklore and fairy tales to become a tangible experience. TNN