Namib desert
The desert experience isn't just about the rare, desert-adapted lion, elephant and rhino - it's also about huge orange sandunes at Sossusvlei, the desolate Skeleton Coast, unusual plantlife and rock paintings. Camp designs can be dramatic, and offer a variety of experiences including walking, quad-biking and star-gazing. They usually have a pool and some have a/c. Namibia.
Best time: May to October is best when it's dry and cooler (temps in December are scorching) but pack a thick jacket - nights are cold.
Access: Charter from Windhoek's Eros airport; the international airport is a 2 hr flight from Johannesburg or Cape Town. Alternatively, rent a car and drive - roads are good, but distances are big.
I recommend these camps
&Beyond Sossusvlei Desert (10 suites) The serenity! Isolated, elegant camp in desert colours, lots of activities including stargazing. 45 minute drive to the gate to Sossusvlei. Large suites have a/c and fireplaces for the desert extremes. Namibrand Nature Reserve, Namibia. Member of &Beyond. Child friendly. $$$$$.
Damaraland (10 suites) Desert-adapted animals, stunning landscape & geology, fascinating plants. Highly succesful community-run project; contemporary, eco-friendly camp. Close to Doro Nawas. Damaraland, Namibia. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Child friendly. $$$$.
Desert Rhino (8 tents-en-suite) Simple camp suits the incredibly remote, starkly beautiful location; track rare desert-adapted black rhino on foot or by vehicle with specialist trackers. Skeleton Coast Kaokoveld, Namibia. Member of Wilderness Safaris. $$$$.
Little Kulala (11 suites) Closest luxury camp to Sossusvlei (with private access gate); thatched villas have rooftop sky beds and plunge pools. Hot air ballooning. Sossusvlei Kulula Wilderness Safaris, Namibia. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Child friendly. $$$$. Read more.
The big attraction in this area is Sossusvlei, or Dead Vlei, and the red dunes around it which make for such amazing photographic opportunities. These sister camps of Wilderness Safaris have something very special – a private gate into the reserve where Sossuvlei is, which shortens the drive and gets you in earlier than guests at other camps.
Wolwedans Boulders Safari (5 tents-en-suite) Ultimate in this area is exquistely stylish and very remote – some 12 miles from the other Wolwedans camps. Scenic drives and walking bushmen trails, and eBikes are coming. Private bathrooms are a few feet from each tent. Note that you must book 3 nights, and they don’t do excursions to Sossusvlei. Namibrand Nature Reserve, Namibia. Member of Classic Safari Africa. $$$$.
Wolwedans Private (3 suites) Super spacious suites with privacy of an exclusive use villa, in the quiet seclusion of the vast desert valley. Close to Wolwedans Dunes Lodge & Camp. You get to explore the beauty of this reserve but Wolwedans don’t take you over to Sossusvlei as that would take too long – distances in Namibia are big. Namibrand Nature Reserve, Namibia. Member of Classic Safari Africa. Private villa. Child friendly. $$$$.
Doro Nawas (16 suites) Close to Damaraland Camp but lacking that camp’s intimacy, pleasant but quite basic; magnificent views. Damaraland, Namibia. Member of Wilderness Safaris. $$$$.
Hoanib Skeleton Coast (8 tents-en-suite) Desolate beauty – look for desert lion and elephant, drive or fly to shipwrecks on the Skeleton Coast. Some describe the camp as stylishly contemporary, others say it lacks soul and vibe. But you will feel magnificently alone in the desert. Skeleton Coast Kaokoveld, Namibia. Member of Wilderness Safaris. $$$$.
Kulala (23 suites) A large camp is dated but shares Little Kulula’s superb private access to Sossuvlei. With an opportunity to enjoy the scenery during a great tour in a hot air balloon. Sossusvlei Kulula Wilderness Safaris, Namibia. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Child friendly. $$$$. Read more.
The big attraction in this area is Sossusvlei, or Dead Vlei, and the red dunes around it which make for such amazing photographic opportunities. These sister camps of Wilderness Safaris have something very special – a private gate into the reserve where Sossusvlei is, which shortens the drive and gets you in earlier than guests at other camps.
Mowani Mountain (15 suites) Nestled between giant boulders, skylights in the thatch above your bed for stargazing, Good black rhino area. Damaraland, Namibia. Member of Classic Safari Africa. $$$$.
Okahirongo Elephant (9 suites) Flat-topped, sand-coloured cottages looking out over the desert, giraffes wander through the camp. Kaokoland, Namibia. Member of Classic Safari Africa. $$$.
Okahirongo River (7 tents-en-suite) Looks onto the greenery of the river slicing through the desert, solar powered, simply designed rooms under wood and canvas. Meet the nomadic Himba people. Kaokoland, Namibia. Member of Classic Safari Africa. $$$.
Serra Cafema (8 suites) Remote camp on the Angolan border combines desert with shady trees and greenery – this stylish camp is on a river. Interactions with nomadic Himba people. Skeleton Coast Kaokoveld, Namibia. Member of Wilderness Safaris. Child friendly. $$$$.
Wolwedans Dune Camp (6 tents-en-suite) Recently redone tents are simple and understated but elegant, positioned to take in the vast desert views. Close to Wolwedans’ Dune Lodge & Private Camp. Note that they don’t do excursions to Sossusvlei – they have plenty of their own desert to explore. Namibrand Nature Reserve, Namibia. Member of Classic Safari Africa. Child friendly. $$$$.
Wolwedans Dunes Lodge (10 suites) A hybrid of tent and permanent building, on stilts with canvas walls, atop a grassed sand dune with views of plains and mountains. Close to Wolwedans’ Dunes Camp & Private Camp. Note that there aren’t excursions to Sossusvlei. Namibrand Nature Reserve, Namibia. Member of Classic Safari Africa. Child friendly. $$$$.