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Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp
The award-winning and environmentally-friendly designed Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp lies in a remote area of the Kaokoveld, in the far north-west of Namibia. The area consists of gravel-strewn plains and dry riverbeds that draw fascinating wildlife. Game drives take you along the riverbed’s narrow ribbon of vegetation, revealing a surprising wealth of desert-adapted animals.
Accommodation consists of 7 twin-bedded units with two three-quarter beds and one family unit consisting of 2 tents, each with their own en-suite facilities. The tents are stylish and well-insulated with free flow stretch canvas roofing. They stand on stilted floating cement foundations and are linked with sandy pathways. The tents have en-suite facilities with a separate toilet, as well as a private viewing deck with a shaded outdoor lounge area. The main area and pool look out over rugged scenery: a wide valley that slopes down to the almost always dry Hoanib River.
Why we like it here
From the camp, guests can take a fascinating drive or scenic flight to see the desolate Skeleton Coast with its shipwrecks and noisy colonies of Cape fur seals.
Fully solar-powered camp.
Dry riverbed yields good desert-adapted game, from elephant to occasional lion and brown hyena.
There is a swimming pool to relax in.
Nature walks from camp take guests into the magnificent surrounds as well as offering a glimpse at vestiges of the Strandloper (Beachcomber) lifestyle from hundreds of years ago.
The camp hosts researchers committed to conserving the likes of desert-adapted lion and brown hyena.
Things to be aware of
There is no Wi-Fi (at this point).
Drives are conducted in six 7-seater Land Cruisers with a pop-up roof.
Mattress converters are available that transform twin beds into king-size beds – to be arranged prior to arrival.
No air conditioning, however, a pedestal fan is provided in all the tents.
Where we are situated
Pairs well with
Shipwreck Lodge
Shipwreck Lodge is located in the famous Skeleton Coast Concession in Namibia’s Skeleton Coast National Park. Over the years, numerous ships have stranded along the Skeleton Coast thanks to its thick fog, rough sea, unpredictable currents and stormy winds. The eco-friendly luxury lodge fits in beautifully with its theme and resembles the shipwrecks that line the beach – but with all the comforts you can wish for.
There are 10 shipwreck-shaped chalets (8 twin / double and 2 family) nestled between the dunes, with views across the sand to the Atlantic Ocean. Each has an en-suite bathroom with indoor showers, as well as its own deck to enjoy the peaceful landscape. All cabins run completely off solar-power – barring the wood-burning fireplaces that are used to keep the night / morning chill out of the air.
At the centre of the camp is the equally innovatively-designed lounge and restaurant with a wraparound deck offering uninterrupted views of your starkly beautiful surroundings. A range of activities are available including game drives in search of desert dwelling fauna, flora and wildlife, quad-biking along the dunes and sand boarding.
Why we like it here
Keep cool with the help of the Atlantic Ocean’s cold Benguela current which provides a refreshing breeze.
Each room has a wood-burning fireplace.
Complimentary laundry service.
Go fishing on the Namibian Coast, renowned as a fisher’s paradise, and whatever you catch that day can be prepared for your dinner.
Things to be aware of
Shipwreck Lodge welcomes children of 6 years and older.
Families travelling with children under 12 years of age will need a private vehicle when going on game drives.
Wi-Fi available in the main area.
Where we are situated
Pairs well with
Serra Cafema Camp
Set under large, shady albida trees with uninterrupted views of the Kunene River in Namibia, lies the luxurious desert retreat of Serra Cafema. This is one of the most remote camps in southern Africa and a place where guests can truly disconnect, unwind and relax to the sound of rushing water, in one of the driest deserts in the world. Serra Cafema has eight “chalets” that are set on elevated decks and crafted in wood, canvas and thatch to create a unique camp that is at one with its surroundings. Seven of these are twin-bedded luxury tents each with two three-quarter beds. There is also one family luxury tented unit with two three-quarter beds in each bedroom, and each with its own bathroom. The bedrooms are connected through an adjoining deck with a shared sala.
The luxury canvas tents each comprise en-suite facilities with separate toilet, double vanity basin, indoor- and outdoor shower, indoor lounge area, outdoor sala and shaded seating / lounging deck area, mosquito net, electronic safe, hairdryer, writing desk and chair, mini-bar and tea and coffee making facilities. The main area, or “Ozonganda” in Herero, comprises various dining areas, sunken lounge, bar, curio corner and viewing decks affording spectacular views over the Kunene River. There is also a swimming pool.
Why we like it here
Serra Cafema is 100% solar-powered with solar geysers.
Respectful interaction with the Himba community – a group of semi-nomadic pastoralists who live in the Kaokoveld area – when they are in the area.
As the only permanent source of water in the area, the Kunene River creates an oasis along its banks – visually creating a winding band of green surrounded by the lunar landscape of the Namib Desert.
Game viewing is limited to small herds of gemsbok, springbok and Hartmann’s mountain zebra, while the river has large populations of Nile crocodiles.
The lodge has a mutually-beneficial agreement with the Marienfluss Conservancy, which is primarily owned by the Himba people, including benefits like employment and skills transfers.
Enjoy a stargazing excursion with a laser pointer (not offered around full moon).
The Olympus Photo Hub experience makes it possible for guests to make use of professional photography equipment during their time staying at Serra Cafema.
Relax with an in-tent massage.
Excursions include fascinating nature walks, boating (water levels permitting), and low-impact guided quad-bike excursions.
Things to be aware of
Only children of 6 years and older are accommodated at Serra Cafema, and between 6 and 16 years will need to share a room with an adult/s.
For families travelling with children between 6 and 12 years, private activities need to be booked and paid for.
The minimum age for walking activities is 13 years, while for quad-biking activities it is 16 years.
At this point in time, the lodge is not accessible on a self-drive basis.
Mattress converters are available that transforms twin beds into king-size beds.
There is no air-conditioning in the tents, however they do have a pedestal fan and a ceiling fan.
Stretching from the Swakop River to southern Angola, the Skeleton Coast is known as the ‘Land God Made in Anger’ and is remoteness at its best. Thousands of miles of sandy desert dotted with shipwrecks meet with the cold waters of the Atlantic and somehow an amazing array of wildlife and flora manages to survive in this harsh but beautiful environment.
Ocean fog creeps over the shoreline caused by the warm dry air of the Namib Desert colliding with the cold Benguela current. This otherworldly area is home to a diversity of wildlife including seabird colonies, Cape fur seals, zebra, gemsbok, desert-adapted elephant, lion and much more. Surfing enthusiasts are drawn to these powerful waves and photographers flock from around the globe to snap a shot of this eerie shipwreck graveyard and for the unrivalled maritime photographic opportunities. This coast is desolate but breathtakingly beautiful.