45 Best Hotels in Namibia

Background Illustration for Hotels

Namibia's private camps, lodges, and other accommodations are often up to high international standards. Even deep at tented camps, there are en-suite bathrooms and private verandas, but don't expect TVs. Most private lodges are all-inclusive (Full American Plan), including transfers, meals, activities, and usually drinks. Camps offer at least two activities a day.

At the national park camps, self-catering (with cooking facilities) accommodations are basic, clean, comfortable, and much cheaper than private lodges outside the park. In Etosha each camp has a restaurant with adequate food, a shop selling basic foodstuffs and curios, a post office, a gas station, and a pool. Most rooms have private toilets, baths or showers, air-conditioning, a refrigerator, and a braai. Linens are provided. Some bigger bungalows have a full kitchen.

In Windhoek and Swakopmund, a large array of lodgings, from large upmarket hotels to intimate boutique hotels and family-run B&Bs, are yours to choose from. All urban lodging rates include breakfast, but rarely any other meals.

&Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

$$$$ | Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia Fodor's Choice

This gorgeous glass and natural stone lodge has a spectacular setting on the border of the NamibRand Nature Reserve–Africa's first International Dark Sky Reserve. Its ultra-luxurious desert villas, which face a vast golden-yellow plain ringed by dune peaks, each have a private patio with sun loungers and couches and a large hydraloop swimming pool. Shower in your mega-size bathroom or outside in your own little walled garden. You can lie in bed and watch the stars through the skylight overhead or climb up to the observatory with its state-of-the-art telescope and resident astronomer. The food is as refreshing as the lodge, but if you don't feel like eating in the main dining area, you can make use of the butler hatch in your suite for in-room dining, accompanied by an extensive bar. Recent lodge renovations included the addition of a gym and spa facilities.

Pros

  • Explore the area on an eco-friendly quad bike, guided nature walk or drive, or hot air balloon ride
  • Everything has been thought of at this lodge
  • Lodge looks out onto a waterhole that attracts scores of animals

Cons

  • The dressing room/area is in the hallway of the suites
  • Spa facilities and certain activities at additional cost
  • Distance from Sossusvlei makes visiting the dunes a whole day trip
Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia
27-1111-809–4300-in South Africa
hotel Details
12 villas
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive

Quick Facts

Ai Aiba Rock Painting Lodge

$ | Swakopmund, Namibia

Tucked away behind a clump of enormous granite boulders, this lodge is synonymous with the Erongo region of Namibia: quietly comfortable. Located inside the Erongo Mountain Nature Conservancy, on the edge of a 130-million-year-old volcano ruin, this area is worth a visit if you're traveling from Windhoek to Swakopmund, even if it's just to sit by the pool and watch the glowing African sun set over a grassy plain with Brandberg Mountain in the distance. While you're there, visit the many extraordinary rock painting sites with one of the lodge's knowledgeable guides, do a guided walking trail or nature drive, or go birding.

Pros

  • Full renovation and refurb in 2020
  • Fantastic for hikes and walks around the giant boulders
  • Worth visiting just for the rock painting nature drive

Cons

  • Rooms are a little dark due to the thatch (grass) roofs and ceilings
  • Except for the self-guided walking or mountain biking trail, activities at an additional cost
  • Lacks the finishing touches of a more luxury lodge
Swakopmund, Namibia
264-61-239–199
hotel Details
20 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Avani Windhoek Hotel and Casino

$ | 129 Independence Ave., Windhoek, Namibia

This comfortable and elegant hotel has all the conveniences of a large, smooth-running operation, with staff on hand at every corner to assist and pleasant rooms that characterize the property. Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip stayed here in 1990, the year of Namibia's independence. Ultimately it's the hotel's central location that makes it an attractive option, though the new rooftop ballroom restaurant, bar, and pool are a worthy spot for a sundowner.

Pros

  • Underwent a recent renovation
  • Most of downtown Windhoek is within walking distance
  • Impressive breakfast buffet

Cons

  • Navigating the entrance and parking area (if self-driving) can be confusing
  • Doesn't have as much character as smaller, boutique hotels
  • The surrounding area is popular with vagrants
129 Independence Ave., Windhoek, Namibia
264-61-280--0664-central reservations
hotel Details
173 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $

Recommended Fodor's Video

Cornerstone Guesthouse

$ | 40 Hendrik Witbooi St., Swakopmund, Namibia

Walking into Cornerstone one is struck by the lovely manicured garden and the pleasantly homey ambience. Rooms are not huge but are comfortable and have free Wi-Fi and small personal patios. The breakfast here is famously tasty, and the owners are incredibly helpful and friendly. Within walking distance from most of Swakops' main attractions, this place is very popular and often full. However, if you find this to be the case, inquire about the three self-catering apartments, also owned by the management.

Pros

  • Same day laundry service
  • International wall sockets
  • Secure off-street parking

Cons

  • One family room looks onto parking area instead of garden
  • Often fully booked
  • Rooms are not huge
40 Hendrik Witbooi St., Swakopmund, Namibia
264-64-462–468
hotel Details
7 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $

Damaraland Camp

$$$$ | Damaraland, Namibia Fodor's Choice

This exceptional camp on the Huab River in central Damaraland is the ideal starting point for searching for desert-adapted elephants, with guides who are astute in accommodating photographers’ need to get the perfect shot. Located within the Torra Conservancy, encircled by ochre mountains and sand dunes, the views from the gorgeous, adobe-style, thatch units take in a landscape of craggy beauty formed by millions of years of unending geological movement. After a day in the desert, cool off in the swimming pool, read or watch the desert birds from one of the hanging cocoon chairs, or relax with a drink in the spacious, airy lounge, where surreal views and unsurpassable service are the name of the game.

Pros

  • One of Namibia's most pristine wilderness areas and the perfect place to see the desert-adapted elephants
  • Sustainability is at its core from solar power and environmentally-friendly amenities to eco-building techniques
  • The country's most impressive community-based responsible tourism model

Cons

  • Game drives are additional on a half-board basis
  • Chances of seeing the desert-adapted elephants are very high, but never guaranteed
  • 2x4 vehicles will be left in a parking area 45 minutes away
Damaraland, Namibia
27-21-257–5000-in South Africa
hotel Details
10 tents
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive

Quick Facts

Desert Grace

$$$ | Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia Fodor's Choice

When you see the sunset reflecting off the Namib-Naukluft Mountains from this elegant hotel, you’ll understand why this safari shabby chic establishment is done up in accents of dusty pink. From its restaurant and food stations at meal times to the geometric fire-and-water feature at the entrance, Instagram-worthy bar and lounge (called ‘One Night in Namibia’), and collection of large portrait photographs of everyday Namibians, this place is very photogenic. Each airy room is tastefully thought out and has all the necessary mod cons, including a floor-to-ceiling sliding door that looks out onto the horizon. The exceptional service will make you feel right at home.

Pros

  • Decor gets 10/10 for originality and photo opportunities
  • Excellent selection and quality of buffet meals and a la carte food
  • Private plunge pool on room verandahs overlook grassy dunes

Cons

  • Each room is very close to the next, yet still has privacy
  • An hour away from Sossusvlei
  • Come for the location and landscapes, not so much for game viewing
Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia
264-61-427--200-landline
hotel Details
24 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Desert Rhino Camp

$$$$ | Damaraland, Namibia

If it's rhinos you're after, especially the rare black rhino, then this very remote tented camp in the heart of the private 1-million-acre Palmwag Reserve is a must. Because there are freshwater springs everywhere, you'll see not only the desert-adapted black rhino, but plenty of other game, too, including desert elephants, giraffes, zebras, kudu, and possibly lions, leopards, and cheetahs. The camp collaborates with the Save the Rhino Trust, and one of the highlights of your stay will be tracking the rare black rhino in an open safari vehicle, with the very short final approach done on foot. It's an honor to encounter one of the continent's largest free-ranging populations of these critically endangered animals. Though the landscape is very barren and stark, you'll likely feel very close to the desert in your spacious A-frame canvas and wooden tent with front porch and en-suite bathroom. During a two-night stay, you will be treated to an unforgettable dinner experience by the exceptionally warm-hearted staff. 

Pros

  • Amazing educational experience on black rhinos and their ecology
  • A plunge pool to cool off in the main lodge on hot days
  • Evening meals taken together by the fire pit allow guests to mingle

Cons

  • Some visitors could find this experience overly rustic and remote
  • The roads are very bumpy, especially after a few hours
  • The drive to camp from the parking takes 2.5 hours, as self-drives to the camp are not permitted, but allows for game viewing
Damaraland, Namibia
27-21-257–5000-in South Africa
hotel Details
8 tents
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive

Quick Facts

Dolomite Resort

$$ | Etosha National Park, Namibia

Set among the Dolomite hills in the previously off-limits western section of the park, this camp is for those looking for something unique and far from the madding crowd with its sports bar, sunset deck, and infinity pool perfect for scoping out the scorched plains and hills while cooling off. Tented deluxe chalets with mesmerizing views are elegantly appointed and some have plunge pools. Having been untouched by tourists for almost 50 years, this section of the park has allowed animals like black rhino and black-faced impala to breed successfully. You may also be lucky enough to see roan antelope, Moneiro's hornbill, and Hartmann's zebra—species specific to the area.

Pros

  • No crowds
  • More personal service than other Namibia Wildlife Resorts camp
  • A newer, better-designed camp than the other NWR offerings

Cons

  • Far from the rest of the park and the Etosha Pan
  • Not all units have plunge pools
  • Long uneven pathways from chalets to lodge
Etosha National Park, Namibia
61-285–7200
hotel Details
20 chalets
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

Doro Nawas Camp

$$$$ | Damaraland, Namibia

Blending into the backdrop and set amid stony slopes, rugged boulders, the distant Entendeka Mountains, and the pink and russet sandstone cliffs of Twyfelfontein to the south (where you can visit some of the most famous San rock paintings and engravings in the world), this is classic Damaraland. The wood, canvas and thatch camp offers 360-degree views of this fascinating landscape and the chance to see the desert-adapted elephants. The sturdy en-suite units have indoor and outdoor showers. You can relax in the rim-flow style pool after a day's activities, or climb up to the roof area of the main building to sip sundowners or watch the blazing stars. Birders will delight in seeing a few of the country’s endemic species, such as Rüpell's korhaan, Carp's tit, and Damara hornbill. 

Pros

  • The king-size beds can be rolled out onto your private porch to sleep under the stars
  • Great community-based responsible tourism model
  • The staff seem genuinely thrilled to meet you, which carries through to their service

Cons

  • Half-board clients must pay for guided trips to see the elephants
  • No a/c, only ceiling and pedestal fans in tents
  • Wi-Fi only in the main camp area
Damaraland, Namibia
27-11-257–5000-in South Africa
hotel Details
32 chalets
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive

Quick Facts

Droombos

$ | Windhoek, Namibia

With its vibrant sprawling gardens, this new, family-owned establishment will make you do a double take when you realize it’s within the capital city. Large trees wrapped in fairy lights add to the property's charm, while a private wine-cellar dining experience, a trendy restaurant, and a spa set Droombos apart from other properties in Windhoek. Rooms are on the small side but are elegantly decorated with all the modern conveniences you'd expect for a comfortable night's rest.

Pros

  • Try their gourmet garden picnic set up
  • The restaurant serves herbs and greens from their vegetable garden
  • Just 10 minutes from downtown Windhoek

Cons

  • Regularly hosts weddings and conferences
  • The dim sound of the main road can be heard at night
  • Weekends can be rather busy with locals dining at the restaurant
Windhoek, Namibia
264-81-872--2613-mobile
hotel Details
30 suites
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $

Etosha Village

$ | Etosha National Park, Namibia

Located just 2 km (1.2 miles) from the busy Anderson Gate at Etosha National Park, this lodge is like a cool shady escape from the dusty roads and crowds of the park. The lodge with its three inviting swimming pools (two of which are childrens' pools), open air restaurant, and bar, as well as spacious rooms, is built amid a leafy mopane forest. A combination of comfort, modern amenities, and attentive service makes this lodge a really good value-for-money choice. 

Pros

  • Great selection of freshly prepared food at the buffet dinners
  • Very helpful on-site adventure center to book activities
  • Close to Etosha entrance gate

Cons

  • Not much comfortable seating on room's patio
  • Can be rather busy in peak season
  • The allocated traditional table arrangement at dinner can feel a little separated
Etosha National Park, Namibia
27-211-930–4564-reservations
hotel Details
55 rooms
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive, rates are on a DBB basis

Quick Facts

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GocheGanas

$$ | Windhoek, Namibia

Just on the outskirts of Windhoek, this well-appointed lodge has all the safari charm and sophistication of a luxury lodge. Perched on top of a rocky hill, in a 6,000-hectare (14,000-acre) reserve, the lodge blends in with the surrounding countryside due to the use of natural elements in the building and decor. Glossy wooden chalets have thatched roofs and sunken baths that look out over the bush. Two waterholes, on either side, are well-visited all day long by antelope. GocheGanas offers a unique wellness village with an indoor pool—set in a high-roofed cave-room—surrounded by loungers, a spa, and endless bush views. The 360-degree Toko Bar is a perfect spot to catch an African sunset before heading to a delicious Namibian dinner.

Pros

  • Close to Windhoek but far enough away to feel like a safari lodge
  • Wellness village, spa, and indoor pool
  • Excellent service

Cons

  • Limited wine selection
  • All activities at an additional cost
  • Restaurant feels a little sparse and hollow
Windhoek, Namibia
264-61-224–909
hotel Details
16 suites
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive, can also be booked on a DDB basis

Quick Facts

  • $$

Habitas Namibia

$$$$ | Windhoek, Namibia Fodor's Choice

Constructed from natural materials in a low-impact manner (including being completely solar powered), this luxe tented camp seamlessly blends into its surroundings atop a rocky outcrop that's reminiscent of the Masai Mara all while offering guests every creature comfort. This is the closest you'll get to a safari just 45 minutes from the international airport. Sustainability and conservation are at the heart of this 123,552-acre nature reserve, which also prioritizes health and wellbeing through its retreats, and spa and wellness offerings. Habitas is the epitome of Namibia hospitality and five-star service, from the thoughtful lodge playlist you receive upon reservation to the genuine welcome at your "homecoming" ceremony, and everything else in between—we're warning you, you won’t want to leave. 

Pros

  • Unsurpassable service—the staff clearly love what they do
  • Delectable food that incorporates Namibia flavors and culinary heritage
  • Spectacular sunsets and panoramic views of the savannah

Cons

  • No Wi-Fi in the luxe tents (but we argue that’s a good thing)
  • A safari from the entrance gate to the lodge is part of the journey
  • An hour from Windhoek or 30 minutes from the airport, but most certainly worth the drive
Windhoek, Namibia
264-81-470--1035-mobile
hotel Details
12 tented suites
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive

Quick Facts

Hansa Hotel

$ | 3 Hendrik Witbooi St., Swakopmund, Namibia

This old-world grand dame, which was established in 1905 a few years after the town was founded, gives guests a Belle Epoque-era feeling with its hushed solicitude, gleaming brass and manicured garden. Standard rooms are comfortable and though some of their furnishings remain somewhat dated, the much larger suites are done up in historical decor which give them the kind of charm you'd expect of this very popular hotel. There are now also self-catering units available. Book a room that overlooks the central garden courtyard and has a renovated, modern bathroom with a shower. A warm atmosphere, central location, one of the town's best German-style restaurants with bilingual staff (Hansa Hotel Main Restaurant), adjoining coffee shop (Bojos Café) and cozy bar complete the picture. Breakfast is great and it's well worth eating dinner here too.

Pros

  • Seating in the small yet stunning garden
  • Gorgeous old bar with a fireplace, order their signature hot drink
  • Fast and unlimited internet

Cons

  • Could be a bit stuffy for younger travelers
  • Overflow parking is on the roadside, but there are security guards
  • There are no sea views and the interior is rather dark
3 Hendrik Witbooi St., Swakopmund, Namibia
264-64-414–200
hotel Details
58 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $

Hotel Heinitzburg

$$ | 22 Heinitzburg St., Windhoek, Namibia

This is your chance to stay in a turn-of-the-20th-century castle, a white fort with battlements set high on a hill and commissioned by a German count for his fiancée in 1914. The spacious interiors have a luxurious fairy-tale quality, with handmade furniture, mirrors, and chandeliers, and beautiful fabrics that transport you to a stylish bygone age perfectly mixed with state-of-the-art modern comforts. The hotel also has amazing views of the city, and offers an excellent breakfast on the gorgeous outdoor patio. The fine-dining food and wine at Leo's at the Castle are synonymous with the style of the hotel.

Book well in advance, as this is a sought-after hotel in the city.

Pros

  • Lavishly decadent interior styling
  • Great personalized service
  • Five-minute drive from city center

Cons

  • Rooms don't have tons of natural light (it's a castle, after all)
  • Can be difficult to contact directly
  • Only a small number of rooms, so it books up fast
22 Heinitzburg St., Windhoek, Namibia
264-61-249–597
hotel Details
16 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

Kulala Desert Lodge

$$$$ | Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia

In the heart of the Namib, set on a private wilderness reserve that borders the Namib-Naukluft Park with an exclusive-use entrance gate, this is the closest you could possibly stay to the famous red dunes of Sossusvlei (along with Wilderness Safaris's adjoining property on the same reserve). This proximity also offers a remarkable setting with superb mountain scenery and vast open plains, while the main lodge truly exudes this sense of place with the large tree trunks that act as pillars. The wrap-around wooden deck leads from the swimming pool to an extended verandah (for alfresco dining), fire pit, and indoor dining area, making it the perfect place to watch or photograph the magnificent desert sunset. The tented, double-layer canvas, thatch-roofed chalets (kulala) sit on a wooden platform overlooking the dry Tsauchab riverbed and desert landscape, and while they don't have air-conditioning, they are designed in such a way that allows for natural airflow and cooling. On summer nights, you can request a star bed rollout with your turndown service to sleep under the night sky. 

Pros

  • Private Namib-Naukluft Park entrance saves time and waiting in long queues
  • Exceptional staff with genuine warm-heartedness will make you feel at home
  • Activities include morning and evening game drives, trips to Sossusvlei, birding, guided walks, fat biking

Cons

  • Guests can't do self game drives through the private concession area
  • No mosquito nets on the star bed experience
  • Not all activities are included in the half-board option, but can be booked at an additional cost
Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia
27-11711-257–5000-in South Africa
hotel Details
23 chalets
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive

Quick Facts

Lianshulu Lodge

$$$$ | Mudumu National Park, Namibia

You might be lucky enough to encounter wildlife in and around this unfenced, thatched lodge that’s located under huge jackalberry and mangosteen trees in a private concession within Mudumu National Park. As you sip on a G&T from the lodge’s elevated wooden deck, you can watch hippos wallow amid water lilies and crocs float along the backwaters of the Kwando River. Even if you don’t partake in the daily water cruises and game drives, the owner-run lodge is a peaceful place to relax and offers superb birding with more than 400 species. The chalets are spacious brick and thatch en-suite units that are suitably comfortable but somewhat dated, especially when compared to newer lodges; it can be booked on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Pros

  • Exclusive use of the river (the nearest lodge is over 20 km (12 miles) away)
  • By far some of the best food you’ll find in the region, with some hints of German influence
  • Spectacular riverside location, superb for bird and game watching

Cons

  • Generator noise may be audible from some rooms
  • Expensive, paid-for Wi-Fi (mobile reception is patchy)
  • Unable to charge electronics in rooms
Mudumu National Park, Namibia
264-81-377--7621-mobile (reservations)
hotel Details
10 chalets, 1 family unit
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive

Quick Facts

Little Kulala

$$$$ | Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia Fodor's Choice

This intimate and luxurious lodge in the 66,718-acre private Kulala Wilderness Reserve faces the mesmerizing red dunes of Namib-Naukluft Park with the ever-shifting sands and a waterhole that attracts all manner of game and birdlife. The recently renovated lodge is very tastefully decorated in colors, textures, and raw materials that pay homage to the landscape's uniqueness. Elevated wooden walkways radiate from the main lodge to the elegant, air-conditioned suites where every creature comfort is attended tothink a plunge pool alongside a shaded, king-size day bed; a rooftop sundowner deck where personalized dinners can be served; and an indoor and outdoor shower set in an indigenous garden. Rooms also boast art supplies, wellness and workout equipment, and a tablet device for star-watching that comes in handy if you opt to sleep beneath the Milky Way in summer. The impressive wine cellar hosts tasting evenings and private dinners. 

Pros

  • Magical dining experience under the desert night sky
  • Staff go out of their way to ensure that your stay is impeccable in every way
  • Has a very strong social responsibility and ecotourism model

Cons

  • You'll be doing yourself and the lodge a disservice if you come for less than two days
  • Remotely located (but that could equally be one of it key selling points)
  • If not on an all-inclusive package, some activities are at an extra cost
Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia
27-111-257–5000-in South Africa
hotel Details
11 suites
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive

Quick Facts

Mowani Mountain Camp

$$ | Damaraland, Namibia Fodor's Choice

The picturesque Mowani Mountain Camp lies atop a scattered pile of giant ochre-colored boulders in sight of the impressive Brandberg Mountain. It offers one of the most unique settings and landscapes in the region. Each of the rooms are set back, almost camouflaged in the boulders with views of the hilltop vista or the valley, where guides take guests in search of desert-adapted elephants. In between game drives and nature walks, guests can plunge into the pool that’s been carved into the boulders, sunbathe on the pool loungers or relax in the laid-back lounge. Everything from the location to the camp, well-appointed rooms, friendly staff, and mouth-watering food will have you wishing you had booked for longer. Camp Kipwe, a few minutes away, is their newer sister property which attracts younger travelers for its more modern and funky take on safari décor, and as all the rooms have a/c.

Pros

  • Stunning sundowner rock, complete with an alfresco bar and rustic seating
  • Conveniently located near all of Damaraland's major attractions
  • Unsurpassable service always comes with a genuine smile

Cons

  • Wi-Fi is limited due to remote location
  • Not all rooms have a/c and the large fans can be noisy
  • Activities are extra if you're not on fully inclusive plan
Damaraland, Namibia
264-61-232–009
hotel Details
15 rooms
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive

Quick Facts

  • $$

Namib Dune Star Camp

$$ | Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia

These eco-friendly, solar-powered chalets with spacious wood decks balance atop grassy sand dunes that show off stunning sunset vistas. Classified as a soft adventure camp, you will still see some game and birds, but this location is all about the scenery and the experience of sleeping in the desert beneath the stars. You'll have everything you need for a restful and extremely comfortable night (including lights, hot water, and lots of warm bedding), without having to rough it. The reception area, where you check in, has free Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, and a small shop that sells general items and souvenirs.

Pros

  • Personalized and attentive service at this intimate camp
  • Meals at the communal table are great for meeting other travelers
  • Each clean, comfortable cabin sleeps three

Cons

  • No power outlets in the rooms, only at restaurant
  • Can only do a self-drive to reception, so don't leave anything in your car when you pack a small overnight bag
  • No Wi-Fi and poor cellphone reception at the camp
Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia
264-061-427--200-landline
hotel Details
9 cabins
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

Namib Naukluft Lodge

$ | Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia

Resembling children's building blocks set down by a giant hand in the middle of nowhere, this earth-toned lodge sits in the midst of a wide plain of desert, backed by gorgeous granite hills. Awesome views go with the territory. You can choose to sit on your private verandah and watch the fiery desert sunset, sip a sundowner by the pool, or enjoy a meal in the open-air or indoor restaurant. The lodge will arrange outings and activities for you—don't miss out on an easy walk in the world's oldest desert.

Pros

  • Shuttle available from Windhoek and Swakopmund to the lodge at additional cost
  • Friendly service
  • Stunning location

Cons

  • 45-minute drive to Sesriem (the entrance to Sossusvlei)
  • No-frills accommodations
  • Some expected activities are at extra cost
Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia
264-061-372–100
hotel Details
15 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $

Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge

$$ | Zambezi, Namibia

On the edge of Nkasa Rupara National Park, this intimate, unfenced tented campwhich is part of the award-winning, joint-venture Wuparo conservancy programoffers the best of both worlds, namely river cruises and game drives through wetlands, woodlands, and grass plains. The unpretentious, double-story main lodge has a swimming pool, bar, and a lookout over a natural watering hole that connects to the Kwando-Linyanti river system after heavy rainfall. Bell frogs will sing you to sleep with their chorus that resembles the clinging of glass bells. The stilted, en suite tents are simple and may not meet travelers’ expectations when it comes to the price, but its eco-tourism model that minimizes guests’ carbon footprint and partners closely with local communities is impressive. Their nearby sister property (Jackalberry Tented Camp), also within a concession in the national park, is recommended for those looking for a slightly higher-end stay. 

Pros

  • Peaceful and remote with a very relaxed atmosphere
  • Sustainability plays a key role in their operations
  • Free, reliable Wi-Fi (in the main lodge only)

Cons

  • Tents are simple and rustic rather than luxury
  • Big game is somewhat elusive (come in the dry season for elephants)
  • The staff come across as unenthusiastic at times
Zambezi, Namibia
264-66-686--101-landline
hotel Details
10 tents
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive, can also be booked on a DBB basis

Quick Facts

  • $$

Okaukuejo Resort

$ | Etosha National Park, Namibia

On the western side of Etosha, this is the biggest and noisiest national-park camp. The staff isn't always the most hospitable, but a floodlit waterhole—regarded as one of the finest in Africa—makes up for service shortfalls. Climb the spiral staircase to the top of the round tower for a good view of the surrounding countryside, and then settle down to an all-night game-watching vigil. The pleasantly furnished and spotlessly clean accommodations range from a premier waterhole chalet, waterhole and bush chalets, and double rooms, some of which have self-catering facilities. There is also a campsite, which during peak season can be bustling and noisy with not quite enough ablutions. There are mail facilities at the camp, as well as a restaurant, gas station, and a basic store to stock up on provisions.

Pros

  • Famously great waterhole
  • Can sit on your deck and view the water hole from certain chalets

Cons

  • This popular camp can be busy and noisy
  • Service can vary
Etosha National Park, Namibia
264-67-229--800
hotel Details
104 chalets
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $

Okonjima Luxury Bush Camp

$$$$ | Otjiwarongo, Namibia

This family-run, private lodge, with numerous accommodation options to suit various budgets, is located in the Okonjima Nature Reserve about halfway between Windhoek and Etosha making it an excellent stopover point on your way to the park. It's also home to the environmental-award-winning AfriCat Foundation ( www.africat.org), which has focused on the conservation of Namibia’s wildlife through ongoing research and education efforts for over three decades. During a two-night stay, you have the chance to track leopards, rhinos, and pangolins on foot, with a high probability of seeing wild and collared leopards (for research purposes) in their natural habitat. Nestled among the Omboroko Mountains, the lovely but rather busy Okonjima Luxury Bush Camp has ample room to relax, whether it is in the communal lounge, by the inside fireplace or outside fire pit, or alongside the swimming pool. Each thatched room has a canvas wall that can be rolled up to look out onto the sweeping savannah, which can equally be taken in from the privacy of your own sala and lounge. The bird baths stationed at each room make it a delight for birders, as there are hundreds of bird species in this region. 

Pros

  • Numerous activities including rhino, pangolin and leopard tracking, guided walking trails and bird watching
  • In a malaria-free area
  • Kitchen facilities are available

Cons

  • Can seem rather busy during peak season
  • No longer a release site for rehabilitated cheetahs
  • Too far from Etosha to make it a base for exploration
Otjiwarongo, Namibia
264-67-314–000-reservations
hotel Details
9 rooms
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive

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Olive Exclusive Boutique Hotel

$$$ | 22 Promenaden St., Windhoek, Namibia Fodor's Choice

Windhoek's premier boutique hotel, the Olive Exclusive, with its six large suites each decorated thematically according to each of Namibia's regions, is an upmarket treat either before or after your safari. As each suite is equipped with all the mod-cons—laptops, Wi-Fi, espresso machines, minibars, and satellite TV—it's the right kind of place to manage your transition from the solitude of the bush to the connectivity of the city and vice versa. The decor strikes an elegant balance between chic and African without overdoing the latter (as many lodges do) and while the huge suites have their own plunge pools, guests can also use the communal pool. The Olive Exclusive restaurant, with its playful menu that features great Namibian produce, is an intimate spot worth visiting even if you aren't a guest at the hotel.

Pros

  • In-house spa therapist
  • Excellent restaurant
  • Wonderful staff and management

Cons

  • Very challenging to reach the property over the phone
  • The view onto the hills of Windhoek and the olive grove could seem spoiled by shabby housing on one side
  • You need a car to get around
22 Promenaden St., Windhoek, Namibia
264-61-383–890
hotel Details
7 suites
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

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Olive Grove Guesthouse

$ | 20 Promenaden Rd., Windhoek, Namibia

Located about a 10-minute drive north of the city center, this elegant guesthouse is incredibly popular for its stylish simplicity and great service. The aesthetic is minimalist chic, with polished concrete floors and a color scheme of sage and olive with well-placed details like beautiful handmade tiles and Moroccan-style lanterns. Attention to detail and thoughtful treats for guests are a specialty here (e.g., honeymooners can expect bubbly and flower petals). Families are also welcome; the humongous and super luxurious executive suite is an absolute stunner.

Pros

  • Great food
  • Under new management
  • Helpful and friendly staff

Cons

  • Must drive to city center
  • Downstairs "patio" rooms lack views and can be a bit dark
  • Pool is for plunging only
20 Promenaden Rd., Windhoek, Namibia
264-61-302–640
hotel Details
10 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Ongava Lodge

$$$$ | Etosha National Park, Namibia

Located in the Onguma Game Reserve on the southern boundary of Etosha close to the Anderson Gate, each thatched unit at this lodge features its own plunge pool, sala (a covered open-air pavilion), outdoor shower and bath with magnificent views, and wooden decks that cling to the side of a steep, rocky outcrop. Some units overlook a couple of busy waterholes. The stunning main area has stone floors and sweeping thatch roofs, as well as myriad spots from which to gaze at the never-ending plains beyond. Take a guided walk and sneak up on some zebras and wildebeests, go rhino tracking, or sit in a hide at the waterhole just before sunset and listen to the soft twittering calls of hundreds of sand grouse as they come to drink. Lions often stray in from Etosha and join the evening party.

Pros

  • Large luxurious rooms
  • Great wildlife viewing from the lodge waterhole
  • Guided walks include white rhino tracking

Cons

  • Pool on the small side
  • Private vehicles can be booked at an extra cost
  • There are many stairs to the lodge
Etosha National Park, Namibia
264-83-330–3920-reservations
hotel Details
14 rooms
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive

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Onguma Forest Camp

$ | Etosha National Park, Namibia

This small, ultra-friendly thatched camp is set in a beautiful natural forest within a nature reserve 10 km (6 miles) east of the Von Lindequist Gate—about a 30-minute drive from the park. After a hot, dusty day in Etosha (or exploring Onguma Nature Reserve which has more than 30 animal and 300 bird species), you can sip a cocktail on your mini-verandah or by the fire pit that faces the waterhole, while listening to the noises of the night. The owners emphasize excellent cuisine made with fresh, local produce that makes dining in the newly built boma quite the experience. The Dream Cruiser Sleep Out experience (a two-story structure built on top of a Land Cruiser with a full bathroom) can be booked in conjunction with a stay here.

Pros

  • The recently enlarged waterhole attracts more animals and birds
  • The lodge can arrange guided trips into Etosha
  • Has an extensive wine cellar

Cons

  • Rooms on the small side, despite a recent refurb to the main lodge
  • No children under 7, but has 3 family rooms
  • Camp is unfenced
Etosha National Park, Namibia
264-61-237–055-bookings
hotel Details
11 bungalows
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Onguma: The Fort

$$$$ | Etosha National Park, Namibia Fodor's Choice

This flagship lodge in the Onguma Game Reserve on the eastern border of Etosha National Park's Fischer Pan is the epitome of luxury and style blending unique Moroccan-style fort architecture with subtle hints of color and raw African textures. The main lodge’s wide deck overlooks the stark expanse of the pan and a waterhole, which is visited by many animals that have wandered across from Etosha. You get a strong sense that you're at the edge of civilization here. The 13 exquisitely appointed suites stretch to either side of the lodge with equally astonishing pan views, outdoor showers, and cool stone interiors. The staff are like a well-oiled machine and you feel as though you are a VIP. Its newest offering, the Dream Cruiser Sleep Out experiencea custom-built Land Cruiser with a wooden deck, double bed, seating and dining area upstairs, and a full bathroom downstairs with hot running water and flush toiletcan be booked in conjunction with a stay at any of Onguma’s other properties. 

Pros

  • Recent refurbishments to the property
  • Stunning swimming pool and sundowner area
  • Extensive wine cellar and first-class food

Cons

  • No children under 7 years
  • The rhino levy is a small additional cost (per person per night) that subsidizes the anti-poaching unit
  • Can be rather costly, but they offer more affordable options at the Bush Camp, Tented Camp and Treetop Camp
Etosha National Park, Namibia
264-61-237–055-reservations
hotel Details
13 suites
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive

Quick Facts

Pelican Point Lodge

$$ | Walvis Bay, Namibia Fodor's Choice

Built from the old Lighthouse and Port Authority building, this completely unique lodge is as beautiful as it is stark. Positioned on the farthest point of Pelican Point, the remoteness of this lodge will give you your first taste of a Skeleton-Coast-type experience as the fog rolls in and isolates the property. A photographer's paradise, the flat colors of the surrounding beach, old ship artifacts, and rusting metal shapes will provide you with an endless canvas for images. On entering the lodge you will feel as though you have found a cocoon of luxury and warmth; with arresting photography adorning the walls. The 10 comfortable suites, all with a view, are inspired by the textures of the beach and ocean, each with a unique location photograph as the focal point. Despite running on generator power, there is total silence and you will feel as though you can completely reset. Close proximity to the enormous seal colony allows you to walk around and view them at ease; or take a kayak trip with one of the guides to get some close-up photographs. Even if you have a 4x4, if you do not have a lot of experience driving in very soft sand rather opt for their transfer service and leave your car at the safe Protea Pelican Bay Hotel.

Pros

  • The dolphin cruise back to Walvis Bay is a highlight
  • Incredible 360-degree view of the ocean
  • Personal service

Cons

  • No electricity after 10 pm
  • Poor telephone reception, email instead
  • Long and very bumpy ride to get out there (it is remote, after all)
Walvis Bay, Namibia
64-221–282
hotel Details
10 suites
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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