Intu-Afrika Camelthorn Lodge

Western Kalahari: 1 Night

Intu-Afrika Camelthorn Lodge has plenty of ways in which you can enjoy and experience all that the Kalahari Desert has to offer. Aptly named as it is set between two sand dunes in an area peppered with iCamelthorn trees, the lodge it located within the 10,000 hectare Intu Afrika Kalahari Game Reserve.

The reserve is home to zebra, oryx, wildebeest, springbuck (including the black springbuck), waterbuck, kudu, blesbok, tsessebe, eland, ostrich, giraffe and many interesting bird species to discover. As there is sparse vegetation in the area, it is easy to spot the plethora of game.

Game drives in open air 4x4 vehicles or on quad bikes are popular activities, and the guides are extremely knowledgeable and will zealously share their passion for the animals and plants with you.

Bushman walks usually take place in the morning and you will be amazed by what you will learn. These walks are done with the San people, the nomadic hunter-gatherers indigenous to this area, who will teach you their desert survival secrets.

The lodge has 12 rondavel-style thatched huts that are set against a backdrop of red dune sands, yellow grasses and piercing blue skies. Each rondavel has a small stone patio from which the captivating scenes of the Kalahari Desert can be taken in.

An inviting, sparkling blue pool is the first thing to catch your eye as you enter the main area of the lodge, and after a day out in the desert it is a welcome sight. Inside there is a lounge that has comfortable leather seating and is next to the bar that leads to a boma area, where large fires are lit and barbecues can be enjoyed at night.

There is also an upstairs restaurant overlooking the majestic sights of the Kalahari, and is a nice alternative dining option.

Canyon Village

The Fish River Canyon: 1 Night

The Fish River Canyon is situated between the Namib and Kalahari deserts, and the only roads to it are across vast areas of flat and barren landscapes, sparsely populated with desert plants, quiver trees and cacti. At 160 km in length, up to 27 km wide in places, and a depth reaching up to 550m, it is certainly hugely imposing and one of Southern Africa's most stunning natural features. The whole place feels magical and unvisited, despite being a major tourist attraction, and it is very likely that you will have one of the spectacular viewing points to yourself.

The most popular viewing times are sunrise or sunset, mainly because the canyon walls glow a beautiful warm colour with the reflected light, and also because this avoids having to be out in the intense midday sun. The main viewing point is at the northern end of the canyon, and the view across the canyon from here is probably the most photographed shot. Hiker's View Point, just a short drive away, is the start of the 85 km Fish River hiking trail. As well as being another spectacular view of the canyon, it also offers a fantastic perspective of just how steep the Canyon walls really are.

At the southern end of the Fish River Canyon is the Ai-Ais Hot Springs resort. 'Ai-Ais' in Nama means 'burning water', and this is an extremely apt name, as the thermal water can reach temperatures of up to 65 degrees C.

The Canyon Village affords easy access to the Fish River Canyon, which is only 20 km away. Suitable for a striking film set, Canyon Village lies at the foot of a sweeping rock face. Exhibiting authentic canyon character, the sprawling lodge explores the story of the south in murals, traditional Nama dress and even a donkey cart to carry your luggage to your room.

The Cape-Dutch cottages line the escarpment. Rooms are spacious and have twin beds and an en-suite bathroom (showers only). All rooms have air conditioning to combat the hot desert heat.

There is a bar, restaurant and a swimming pool. Activities on offer include sundowner/morning drives through the Canyon Park or a drive down to the Canyon Fish River viewpoint. There are also horse rides and great signposted walking trails. Explore and discover this ancient wonderland, or simply luxuriate in the peace, lounging at the poolside, snoozing in the coolness of your chalet or sitting on the terrace dipping into a book.

Obelix Guesthouse

Luderitz: 1 Night

Luderitz is a small coastal town, surrounded on one side by the South Atlantic Ocean, and on the other side by the sand dunes of the Namib desert. This isolated town owes its existence to the discovery of diamonds in the desert in 1908, but unlike other diamond boom towns of that era, the town has survived thanks to its other major industry - fishing.

Its character comes from the eclectic selection of colourful Bavarian / German colonial style architecture, complete with turrets, gables and bay windows.

The Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias was the first European to set eyes on Luderitz, when he sought shelter in the bay during a storm on Christmas Day 1487. Upon his return from the Cape of Good Hope in July 1488, he erected a stone cross at what is now known as Dias Point.  Although the original cross is no longer there, a replica marble cross has been erected in its place. From the extremely windswept rocks, you can look out over a nearby small Cape fur seal colony.

A drive around the Luderitz Peninsula, just south of the town, is also a pleasant way to spend a few hours. The fairly good gravel road leads off to several small bays, where it is possible to walk along deserted stretches of beaches with just the wind, rocks, shells and seagulls for company.  At Grosse Bücht, there is the rusty remains of a small fishing boat, and the beach here is safe for swimming.

Obelix Guesthouse has 16 individual en-suite rooms, plus a restaurant, bar area and lounge area.

Guests can enjoy a continental breakfast before setting off to explore the area in and around Luderitz.

Elegant Desert Lodge

Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert: 2 Nights

The Elegant Desert Lodge is situated on the border of the World Heritage site of the Namib Desert and is only 37 km from the gate to Sossusvlei.  

Treat yourself to a casual lunch with a bottle of fine South African wine, relax in one of the chic lounges in the gardens, or at the sparkling pool before heading out in the afternoon on a scenic drive to enjoy the spectacular views of the Namib Desert. 

The lodge also offers a variety of activities such as guided Sossusvlei excursions, hot air ballooning, quad bike excursions (with the option of a picnic breakfast in the desert) or a scenic drive. Amongst the breathtaking setting of the Naukluft mountains roam desert adapted plains wildlife, such as kudu, springbok, Hartman mountain zebra and oryx.

For those wanting a bit of exercise, you can make use of the various trail on the mountains and plains.

In the evening, sit down with a pre-dinner drink around the campfire, before enjoying a delicious meal in the lapa under the stars. You may even be fortunate to see some of the local wildlife that come to drink at the waterhole, just a few metres away.

The lodge has 29 tastefully furnished modern rooms with en-suite bathrooms, and a veranda from which to enjoy the incredible vistas of the desert plains.

Hansa Hotel

Swakopmund: 2 Nights

Surrounded on 3 sides by the Namib desert, and on the 4th by the Atlantic Ocean, Swakopmund is an interesting blend of African and German heritage, and one of the most friendly towns in Southern Africa. Many of the locals are of German descent, and together with its beautifully preserved German colonial architecture, the availability of German style beer, and the precise orderly manner which is evident everywhere, you would be forgiven for thinking you were in a small town in Germany, and not on the edge of the Namib Desert.

Probably the most popular single activity is quad-biking over the large red sand dunes that start from the edge of the town, or try sandboarding down the dunes as an alternative. The Cape Cross Seal Reserve is a 125 km drive north of Swakopmund, and home to breeding colonies of thousands of Cape fur seals. 

Several operators also offer scenic flights. The 2 most popular options are to take a flight north up the coastline, over the Skeleton Coast and back round, or to  fly across the desert to the Sossusvlei Dunes and back to Swakopmund along the coastline, taking-in a number of shipwrecks.

The internationally acclaimed, award-winning Hansa Hotel offers a relaxed and personal approach to service.

Perfectly situated right in the middle of Swakopmund, the Hansa offers 58 well-appointed twin or double rooms, including 2 suites and 5 family rooms.

The restaurant is renowned for its seafood and game specialities, which are complemented by an extensive wine list.