1. Mowani
1
Mowani
Mowani Mountain camp is located between the Huab and Ugab rivers in southern Damaraland.
The camp's luxury tents, all have en-suite bathrooms and decorated beautifully in East African style, and each with its own wooden deck offering an open view of the wonderful Damara landscape. There is also a thatched suite complete with butler service, private lounge (equipped with a music centre and satellite television), and complimented by private dining and bar facilities.
Activities and attractions at Mowani include relaxing by the swimming pool, viewing the stone-age rock art at nearby Twyfelfontein, and visiting the Petrified Forest. Game Drives are also available as well as air safaris.
Why We Love It
The camp is surrounded by wonderful desert scenery, unusual geological formations, archaeological sites and a variety of desert flora and fauna, including the black rhino and desert elephant.
2
Little Ongava
Little Ongava sits in an exceptional position on a rise, in the vast Ongava Game Reserve. This is one of Namibia's most luxurious safari destinations, bordering the Etosha National Park.
The exclusivity of this stunning wilderness retreat is enhanced by the fact that there are only three private houses in total. Each one boasts a plunge-pool, private sala and an en-suite bathroom, which includes a bath with spectacular views of a nearby waterhole. The dining room shares this outstanding view and guests can enjoy delicious food under the African stars to the sounds of the water-hole's night-time visitors. Little Ongava guests can venture out into the acacia-strewn grasslands of Etosha National Park in search of the prolific wildlife - lion, elephant, gemsbok, springbok, red hartebeest and white and black rhino - that inhabits the landscape. The Etosha Pan is particularly worth seeing after the summer rains when the parched wasteland becomes alive with colour and millions of flamingos turn the horizon pink.
Why We Love It
There are numerous hides overlook waterholes in the park - good news for wildlife photographers or those simply wishing to sit in silence and observe the animals in their natural surroundings.
3
Mushara Lodge
Mushara Lodge is located 5 miles from the Von Lindequist Gate on the eastern outskirts of the Etosha National Park, and is therefore ideally situated for travelers visiting the park.
The Lodge consists of ten spacious chalets, one family unit and two single rooms. In a horseshoe shape around the swimming pool there are ten well-spaced thatched chalets. Each chalet and the rooms are extremely spacious and are furnished with air-conditioning, mosquito net, mini bar fridge, safe, tea and coffee making facilities, electric lights, direct dial telephone, wardrobe and luggage rack. The bathrooms are en-suite with separate loos. Seven of the chalets have just a shower and the other three chalets, the triple room and the single rooms have a bath and shower.
Why We Love It
The name Mushara derives from the Purple Pod Terminalia tree, which grows in abundance in the lodge grounds and the surrounding area.
4
Okahirongo Elephant Lodge
Located on a private conservancy in Namibia's remote Koakoland, the best way to access this exclusive lodge is by private charter which can be arranged from almost anywhere in Namibia. Overland travel is possible in a 4x4 however be warned, the journey is long but the stunning desert scenery makes it worth it.
With wraparound views of spectacular mountains, the seven cottages and presidential suite which make up Okahirongo Lodge are an oasis of tranquility in what is often described as one of the last truly wild areas of North West Namibia.
Decorated with locally carved furniture, each cottage has a unique style and atmosphere and the pervading rich honey and ochre hues and earthy tones integrate the lodge with its desert surrounding. The spacious bathrooms have enormous baths which look out over the dramatic landscape and each cottage has both indoor and outdoor showers.
A daily menu of Italian and African cuisine using organically grown produce is accompanied by excellent South African wines, which can be enjoyed in one of two outdoor dining areas. There are also two outdoor lounges where you can relax with a sundowner cocktail and a swimming pool.
Activities at the lodge include morning and afternoon nature drives, tracking the desert-adapted elephants, lion tracking with the Desert Lion Project, guided walks along the Hoarisib River, bird watching and visits to the local Himba village.
Why We Love It
The area is the only place in the world where elephants, lions, rhions and giraffe still live in a desert environment.
5
Mushara Outpost
The Mushara Outpost, one of the Mushara Collection establishments, is one of Namibia's most spectacular lodges. The gates of the famous Etosha Pan National Park are just six miles away so access is easy.
Private and secluded, only 16 guests can stay at the Mushara Outpost at one time. Wooden and canvas tents stand tall on stilts on the banks of an omaramba - an ancient dry river-bed. Each tent has its own wooden deck from where guests can see far out into to the bush.
Although charmingly old-fashioned and somewhat minimalist, these tented are very comfortable, with en-suite, open-plan bathrooms and .large windows to ensure they remain light and airy during the day and cool at night
Why We Love It
The main lodge house, too, is traditional in concept - an old farmhouse with a large, wrap-around veranda - but uber-contemporary in terms of design and feel.
6
Villa Mushara
The harsh wilderness of the surrounding landscape contrasts starkly with the elegant villas of Villa Mushara - the jewel in the crown of the Mushara Collection.
With only two villas, this Namibian retreat is wholly exclusive - Original Travel and Tim Best Travel recommend this as the ultimate escape from modern day life and the perfect place to relax in a secluded atmosphere.
Each of the villas has a private living space, private library and luxurious en-suite bathroom, and is stylishly decorated. Of an evening guests can sip cocktails from their own mini-bar with the gentle hum of music in the background. During the day, when guests are not venturing into the wilderness in search of wildlife at its best, they can spend their time lazing in a private plunge pool or in the sala, nestled amidst the bush.
Why We Love It
Etosha National Park is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and one species of fish.
7
Mushara Bush Camp
Located just ten kilometres from the Von Lindequist gate of the Etosha National Park, Mushara Bush Camp is a relaxed and family friendly camp.
The camp consists of 16 en suite guest tents, including four family tents which can accommodate two adults and two children. Each of the en suite tents is made of canvas and locally sourced wood and comes with a private veranda and floor to ceiling windows which let plenty of natural light in.
The main lodge has a true bush camp feel. There is a camp fire, where guests can relax each evening and share stories of their wildlife experiences, and a dining veranda, where African feasts are served for every meal.
Safaris into Etosha National Park are enjoyed on a twice daily basis from the lodge. Famed for its central salt pan and varied wildlife species Etosha is a fantastic safari destination and is home to lions, zebra, kudu, giraffe and more. For families, back at the camp Mushara Bush Camp offers a special play area, where games, arts and craft equipment, and friendly child minders are on hand to keep the little ones occupied when not out on safari. Outside, there is also a small play park, with a jungle gym, sand pit and children's pool.
Why We Love It
A little more off the beaten track than South Africa or Kenya, Namibia can offer some great family alternatives and this is prime example.
8
Sorris Sorris
Sorris Sorris is located in its own community-based conservancy in Damaraland on a rocky outcrop and overlooks the Ugab River and the Brandberg Massif.
There are just nine luxury suites, all with eco-friendly building techniques which are designed to take in the landscapes of Damaraland while providing all the luxury and comfort you need. Each of the suites comes with an en suite bathroom including a bath and shower. The suites also have a mini bar, fridge, and complementary laundry service.
A real highlight at the lodge is the delicious cuisine. The dishes created by expert chefs offer a unique combination of local flavours with an international spin.
The lodge facilitates include a swimming pool and lounge deck with amazing views over the rugged Damaraland landscapes.
At Sorris Sorris you will be able to experience some amazing game drives in one of the most beautiful areas of Namibia, which also happens to be home to the desert dwelling elephant, the rare black rhino and much more. Other activities around the lodge are guided walks to the Brandberg Massif and cultural tours to the Sorris Sorris community.
Why We Love It
Climb up one of the rocky boulders around the lodge - as they are surrounded by dramatic mountain and desert scenery they make the perfect setting to watch a breath-taking sunset.