14 Best places to stay in Namibia

Cast away in blissful isolation, in the Omboroko mountains between Windhoek and Etosha, the main attraction of Okonjima is a visit to the groundbreaking AfriCat Foundation that has pioneered predator conservation in southern Africa, with walks and game drives available.

Okonjima owns several farms, split into large enclosures where cheetah and leopard roam. Accommodation is in two lodges; Okonjima Main Camp, and the Bush Camp, offering more luxurious rooms in huge clay rondavels, with king-sized beds draped in luxurious linens, African art on the walls and sparkling en suite bathrooms.

From tracking cheetah on foot, to self-guided trails in the Okonjima wilderness, there are wonderful opportunities here for bush walking. It’s not all about the big cats either – the reserve teems with birdlife. Pack your binoculars to tick off the 250-plus species.

Epacha is one of the better private game reserves that dot the countryside outside the gates to Etosha.

Set on a 13,000-hectare private nature reserve, the 18 luxury chalets enjoy plenty of peace and quiet.

They all offer stunning bushveld views, whether you’re on the private balcony, ensconced in a romantic four-poster bed or cooling off in an outside shower.

Morning, afternoon and evening game drives are possible in Epacha – known for its black rhino and sable antelope.

There are also daily guided drives into Etosha, which has four of the big five – lion, leopard, elephant and a healthy population of endangered black rhino. Also look out for more than 400 species of birds.

Back at base, the small Mystique spa offers an open-air couples treatment room, that ups the romance factor.

For 50 years tourists were prohibited from exploring this scenic western third of Etosha National Park, but that all changed with the opening of Dolomite Camp in June 2011.

The most upmarket Namibia Wildlife Resorts camp in Etosha offers two tiers of chalets, with the pick of the bunch boasting private plunge pools and waterhole views. While self-drive safaris are not allowed, well-trained rangers offer daily game excursions into this unexplored corner of Etosha.

This previously restricted area of the Park is host to high numbers of Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, Giraffe and Antelope. Once-endangered species like the Black-faced Impala and Black Rhino have been successfully bred.

Just 20 suites share this prime location, and the daily game drives into the bush ensure an exclusive peek into this wild world.

With easy access to international and domestic airports, Am Weinberg is perfectly located for travellers in transit.

Set on a hillside in a quiet suburb, the hotel is part of the vibrant Am Weinberg precinct of restaurants, shops and a health spa.

The hotel itself offers 41 airy rooms and suites decorated in a bright contemporary style, with many boasting private terraces and balconies centred on a serene courtyard. Duplex units are ideal for families and longer stays, with kitchenette and separate lounge.

The central courtyard is a serene space with cosy couches for a quiet coffee, while the rooftop Sky Lounge attracts a hip local crowd who come for sundowner cocktails and city views.

The achingly cool Habitas brand planted its first flag in Africa on a 50,000-hectare conservancy outside of Windhoek; with a 15-room lodge offering immersive experiences ranging from safari walks with San trackers to live local music gatherings.

The safari rooms are nothing short of glorious; airy under-canvas suites with expansive views and a curated aesthetic of indigenous carvings, African fabrics and local artworks.

The communal areas include a restaurant, swimming pool and fire pits. Wellness is central to the Habitas ethos, with a spa on site and daily yoga and meditation sessions.

Only children over 12 years are permitted.

Set on Etosha Heights Private Reserve, bordering the Etosha National Park, this luxury lodge offers unrivalled bush luxury across nine spacious chalets (including one family suite). Perched on a dolomite hillside, you’ll enjoy memorable wilderness views from every angle, whether relaxing on your private terrace or tanning at the spacious pool deck.

Twice-daily game drives offer memorable encounters with endangered rhinoceros, and – because this is private land, not national park – bush walks and wilderness picnics can be arranged.

It’s a luxurious option close to the iconic national park, and a fine complement once you’ve ticked off the sights of Etosha.

Namutoni Camp emerges like a mirage from the shimmering heat of Etosha, with the white turrets of the old German fort dating back to 1897.

The history, combined with a beautiful location overlooking King Nehale waterhole, has made Namutoni a popular rest camp in the east of the Park.

There are campsites and simple double rooms on offer, but the best option is the spacious Bush Chalets.

Within the surrounds you’ll find all the services and facilities a traveller could ask for, including an on-site restaurant, swimming pool, curio shop and viewpoint over the floodlit King Nehale waterhole.

From Namutoni there’s easy access to a number of other wonderful waterholes, including Fisher’s Pan; a renowned birding hotspot that draws flocks of breeding flamingos during the wet season of late summer.

Set in a century-old Germanic castle, this grand European-style hotel is perhaps the most elegant luxury hotel in the capital, although some might find the plush furnishings a touch too European on hot African days. Happily, there’s a great pool to cool off in.

Leo’s at The Castle remains one of the best fine-dining restaurants in the capital, while the wine cellar is one of the largest and most beautiful in the country. For something more casual, the terrace café offers wonderful city views.

Inspired by the weather-beaten shipwrecks of the desolate Skeleton Coast, this unforgettable lodge offers unique access to one of the most remote corners of Namibia.

Set on a private concession in the Skeleton Coast National Park, just 10 en-suite cabins – including two family suites – host a handful of guests on unforgettable journeys in this unique landscape.

Days are filled with 4×4 adventures through the dune fields and to lonely shipwrecks, while game drives in the Park reveal desert-adapted wildlife and remarkable river deltas.

Come sunset, bundle up by the fireplace and enjoy hearty Namibian cuisine in the central lodge and dining area.

A pioneer of luxury travel in Namibia, Wolwedans offers a range of enigmatic lodges set amid the sands of southern Africa’s largest private reserve, balancing 5-star luxury with desert escapism.

Choose between Dune Camp (12 tented chalets), Dune Camp Private (a 2-bedroom villa), Boulders Camp (5 tented chalets), Desert Lodge (9 tented chalets), the Mountain View Suite (a 1-bedroom villa with option to add two beds for children), and the secluded Plains Camp (a 4-bedroom villa).

The under-canvas suites combine jaw-dropping views and perfect privacy, with outdoor ‘star beds’ for dune sleep-outs.

Nature walks and desert drives add a dose of adventure, with a swimming pool and spa ensuring plenty of downtime.

Set in a private concession bordering both southern Africa’s largest private reserve and the Namib-Naukluft National Park, the lodge offers a handful of luxury suites boasting private plunge pools and views out over desert plains.

A resident astronomer and on-site observatory ensure unforgettable stargazing. Daily game drives (andBeyond field guides are some of the best in the business) take in enigmatic desert landscapes, while quad bike adventures and nature walks fill the days not spent lazing by the pool.

Day trips to the magnificent dunes at Sossusvlei are also on offer.

If you’ve always dreamt of watching the sunrise over the dunes of Sossusvlei, you’ll want to book a room at Sossus Dune Lodge.

It’s the only lodge inside the Namib-Naukluft Park, which means you can get to Sossusvlei’s famous sand dunes long before the public gates at Sesriem open at sunrise.

The lodge’s 25 roomy chalets are strung out along a wooden boardwalk, offering wonderful desert views from the spacious suites. Chalets 13-25 have views of the dunes (preferable), while 1-12 look into Sesriem Canyon.

While most hotels in Swakopmund are centred on the seafront, Desert Breeze takes advantage of the remarkable dune landscape that surrounds the town.

Just a few kilometres from the centre, this colourful lodge is a welcome break from the tourist bustle of town with 12 spacious bungalows – and a three-room ‘villa’ – gazing out over the desert.

The furnishing and décor are comfortable, rather than luxurious, but bungalows offer all the contemporary services you need, from Wi-Fi and minibar to tea/coffee stations. Although a hearty breakfast is included, there is no restaurant on site.

This government-owned camp in Etosha is the largest in the Park, with more than 100 rooms and chalets.

The upside of staying in such a busy camp is the raft of services available: from restaurants and a swimming pool, to the on-site petrol station.

You lose a little of that wilderness feel, but it’s perfect for those first-time safari-goers who want the comforts and security of a big resort.

The other plus is the camp’s floodlit waterhole, with grandstand seating, which brings all the big game to you. For the best game viewing, get to the waterhole 30 minutes before sunrise, when predators are often active.