14 Best Hotels in Namibia

The picturesque Mowani Mountain Camp lies atop a scattered pile of giant ocher-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.

Ostriches and cows rub unlikely shoulders at this intimate, historic guesthouse at a farm on the northern side of the Naukluft Mountains, near the tiny town of Solitaire. It was established in 1898 as an outpost of the German Imperial Stud Farm at Nauchas. Today it's an ideal base for exploring the area, whether on foot or by 4x4—although it's a daylong trip (and an expensive one) to Sossusvlei and back. With long hikes and short strolls around the farm, the area is ideal for hikers and very popular with German tourists. There are seven en suite rooms with private verandas, and the English-and-German-speaking hosts will escort you on game drives, to nearby San paintings, or to the Naukluft plateau. You'll dine well on home-cooked food, and there's a surprisingly good wine selection. Rates include breakfast and dinner.

This wonderful, modern guesthouse is one of surprisingly few accommodation options on the beachfront. It has a marvelous location overlooking the main beach, although there is a road between the guesthouse and the sand. The exterior is playful, with porthole windows (in the bathrooms) peering out from vibrantly painted walls—like a child's interpretation of a ship. The upstairs rooms have vast windows and the whole place is crowned by a double-story suite with some of the best views in town.

As its name suggests, The Delight ticks all the boxes for a wonderful stay: modern decor, an excellent buffet breakfast, cheerful rooms, a funky bar, and a welcoming lounge. The interior is accentuated by bright bursts of color and photo-worthy elements, such as the lobby chandelier made of recycled plastic and upcycled driftwood, a large blue mural depicting the Namib Desert, and a giant map of Africa. The large seascape photo murals in the guest rooms provide a seaside feel and each room has a balcony or a patio (some of which look out onto the central courtyard). 

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.

Located just 2 km (1 mile) 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, open air restaurant, and bar, as well as spacious freestanding 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. 

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.

These eco-friendly, solar-powered chalets with spacious wood decks balance atop grassy sand dunes that show off stunning sunset vistas. Usually taken as a one- or two-night "sleep out" option for those staying at Desert Grace, the chalets come with beds that can be rolled out onto the deck so that you can sleep under a canopy of 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 has free Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, and a small shop that sells general items and souvenirs.

On the edge of Nkasa Rupara National Park, this intimate, unfenced tented camp—which is part of the award-winning, joint-venture Wuparo conservancy program—offers 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.

This small and 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-veranda 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.

If you want to be on the spot when the park gates open at first light, this hotel (right at the Sesriem entrance) is the right choice for you. Its decor—in khaki shades and with wooden finishings—blends perfectly with the desert surroundings. After a hot, dusty day in the desert, it's wonderful to wallow in the swimming pool, which faces the dunes, and later gaze at the dazzling brilliance of the night skies while you dine in the large open-air restaurant. Book just about any desert activity from the excellent adventure center.

In a dramatic locale in Damaraland's Valley of the Ugab Terraces, this lodge is set against the backdrop of a mighty stone finger pointing toward the sky. Take the time to listen to the silence on one of their walking trails or as you lounge by either of the two swimming pools. The 360-degree views from the Sundowner Terrace are magnificent. Bungalows cling to the side of a rocky hill and are clean, comfortable and air-conditioned, but it's the remarkable views that you'll always remember, especially if you stay in the Heaven's Gate room. 

Located on the magnificent rock terrace of the geological phenomenon known as the Waterberg Plateau, the chalets of this lodge are hidden from one another by bush and red sandstone boulders. The adequate rooms all have a rather grand view out over the Kalahari bushveld as well as their own mini plunge pool for cooling off on hot afternoons. The lodge is in the Waterberg Wilderness Private Nature Reserve, and although one cannot drive up onto the famous Waterberg Plateau, they do offer a wonderful rhino game drive and a number of hikes up to the top of the mountain. The reserve has two other camps: Wilderness Lodge under huge trees towards the top of the mountain, and Valley Lodge with lovely tented rooms.

This is a wonderful place for bird-watching and walking.

From this delightful lodge, where personal attention and friendly service are outstanding (the lodge gets many repeat visitors), you can drive yourself to Sesriem and Sossusvlei (90 km/56 miles to the gate) or to Naukluft. The comfortable and unpretentious lodge has its own canyon—popular with geologists and archeologists—hiking trails, and perennial springs. All rooms have views of the swimming pool and bush beyond, and are tastefully furnished, making them a welcome refuge from the hot days.