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 Lodge

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.

Just 20 km from the main viewpoint of the Fish River Canyon is Canyon Lodge, an oasis seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Tall weather-beaten granite boulders mark the location of the lodge and form an integral part of the overall design.

Amongst these boulders are 30 bungalows, built out of natural rock. All are thatched and equipped with comfortable beds, mosquito nets and en-suite bathrooms. An old farmhouse, originally built in 1908, has been restored to serve as the main restaurant.

The Nest Hotel

The Southern Namib: 1 Night

The Southern Namib, with its solitude, its wide open spaces, rugged landscapes and stunning desert sunsets is certainly one of Namibia's gems.

Aus is the gateway to the Southern Namib Naukluft Park, and the legendary wild horses that roam the desert, sharing the arid landscape with gemsbok and springbok.

Luderitz is a small coastal town with an eclectic selection of colourful Bavarian/German colonial style architecture, surrounded on one side by the South Atlantic Ocean, and on the other side by the sand dunes of the Namib Desert. 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.

Namibia's most visited ghost town, Kolmanskop, lies 10 km inland from Luderitz. The desert sand has blown in and around the deserted buildings, burying some almost completely in sand. Others are still half visible, their doors hanging open as the sand slowly engulfs more rooms.

The Nest Hotel is the ideal place from which to explore the many attractions in and around Luderitz, such as Dias Point, the ghost town of Kolmanskop or the Bogenfels rock arch.

Each of the guest rooms and suites are sea-facing and have air-conditioning, satellite TV, radio and telephone. Other guest facilities include a large swimming pool, a wellness centre with sea facing sauna and the Oyster Bar with sun deck serving fresh oysters while you enjoy the full view over the Atlantic Ocean.

Sossusvlei Lodge

Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert: 2 Nights

Sossusvlei Lodge is a luxurious retreat in this premier tourist attraction area in Namibia.

Situated right at the entrance gate to the famous Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon in the Namib Nauklauft Park, this is the perfect location from which to visit and explore the epic sand dunes sculpted by the wind.

Experience the desert beauty from a bird's eye view in a hot air balloon or by aircraft. Take a guided drive through scenic natural beauty in a custom built and comfortable all-terrain vehicle or with a quad bike, or of course, you can drive yourself into the Park too.

A dip in the sparkling pool or an ice cold beer under the shady trees in the Acacia beer garden makes for the best relaxation after an eventful day. The al fresco terrace offers magnificent views of the floodlit waterhole where you can watch the passing parade of oryx, springbok, jackal, ground squirrel and hyena, whilst enjoying exquisite food and wine.

Shaded by camel thorn trees, the lodge blends in perfectly with the spectacular desert surrounds and bears testament to the ingenuity of an eco-friendly design.

The separate accommodation units are carefully laid out to perfectly blend in with the magnificent surrounding natural environment. Each fully air-conditioned accommodation unit has a patio, en-suite bathroom with shower and a spacious bedroom under canvas with adobe-style plaster walls.

The Strand 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.

With it's extensive restaurants, bars, lounges, deli and sea-facing terraces, the Strand Hotel is the social epicentre of Swakopmund.

Uniquely located on the iconic and historic Swakopmund Mole and surrounded on 3 sides by the Southern Atlantic Ocean. On the fourth side, it backs up to the town's central park, through which it is a short 5 minute walk to the historic centre of this charming German/Victorian era colonial seaside town.

Arriving at the Strand is a dramatic experience as you pass through its 13m high and 9m wide Ocean View Atrium which travels right through the hotel, offering sea views at either end. Off this Atrium Lobby is the main Reception, consisting of an inviting open fireplace which rounds off the warm welcome.

All the 125 rooms and suites offer uninterrupted sea, beach or garden views. The Standard Rooms have panoramic sliding windows from which to admire the views. The Luxury Rooms have a 'step out' balcony, whilst the Suites have a 'sit on' balcony. The Presidential Suite has its own private terrace.

Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp

Damaraland: 2 Nights

Nestled in rolling boulders of a granite outcrop, Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp is conveniently situated a ten-minute drive from Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings, within walking distance of the Damara Living Museum.

Guests can also enjoy a scenic nature drive in the ephemeral Huab River and surrounding valley.  It is an excursion exposing visitors to unique geological formations and the possibility of sighting the elusive desert-adapted elephants and rhinos.

A visit in the neighbouring Damara Living Museum offers a fascinating look into the people, heritage, pulse and soul of Damaraland.

Set in the Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia, Twyfelfontein is a spectacularly scenic area, featuring one of the largest and most important concentrations of rock art in Africa. The name ‘Twyfelfontein’ translates to ‘Fountain of Doubt’, which refers to the perennial spring situated in the impressive Huab Valley flanked by the slopes of a sandstone table mountain. It was this spring that attracted Stone Age hunters over six thousand years ago, and it was during this time that the extensive group of rock engravings and paintings were produced. 

Accommodation at the property consists of 12 furnished standard en-suite tents with two beds, an open bathroom with a solar heated hot water shower, basin and toilet and a shaded terrace with chairs. There are also 12 premium tents which offer a larger living space.

The main guest areas include a restaurant, a bar and pool deck. The restaurant can be closed with shutters in wintertime.

Epacha Game Lodge & Spa

Etosha National Park: 2 Nights

Epacha Game Lodge & Spa is situated on the 21,000 hectare Epacha Private Game Reserve, a wildlife paradise bordering on the world-renowned Etosha National Park.

Epacha Private Game Reserve is home to the black rhino custodian programme and hosts 21 antelope species as well as the endangered sable antelope.

Activities include game drives on the Epacha Game Reserve, night drives, and game drives to the Etosha National Park, as well as guided walks, quad biking and horse trails.

Guests can spend time in between game drives relaxing in the lounge overlooking a waterhole, or seek haven in the library or cigar lounge, unwind in the billiard room or enjoy a refreshing cocktail from the bar on the pool deck.

There is also the opportunity to reinvigorate yourself in stress-relieving therapies and activities in the Spa. Facilities and treatments include a jacuzzi, sauna, rejuvenating mud baths and massages, manicure, pedicures, thalasso and facial therapy.

In keeping with the Victorian era in Africa, Epacha Game Lodge uniquely combines turn of the century elegance with personalised safari luxury - the chalets are individually appointed with specially commissioned antique furnishings and stylishly decorated in subtle, relaxing colours.

All the luxurious chalets encompass a spacious suite and a magnificent en-suite bathroom as well as an open-air shower, and each has its own private balcony, complete with a breathtaking view across the majestic private reserve and the valley.

Mokuti Lodge

Etosha National Park: 1 Night

Located on its own 4,000 hectare private nature reserve, which shares a common border with Etosha, Mokuti Lodge boasts unique African charm, and is only 4 minutes away from the Von Lindequist Gate of the Etosha National Park.

You can make the most of the landscaped gardens, relaxing in the shade under the trees or at the pool, or visit the Ontouka Reptile Park, play a game of tennis or billiards, explore the grounds by following one of the marked walking trails, be pampered in the Spa or workout at the gym.

There's also the option of accompanying one of Mokuti’s experienced game guides in an open safari vehicle into the Etosha National Park.

Etosha is home to 114 different mammal species including zebra, springbok, eland, oryx, kudu, giraffe and the all-important big four (lion, leopard, elephant and black and white rhino). The wide variety of animals guarantees impressive game viewing.  It is also a bird watchers' paradise, with more than 340 bird species recorded in the Park.

At night, guests tell tall stories around open fires after enjoying dinners served in the Tambuti Dining Room and Terrace, the African Boma or even al fresco under the towering garden trees.

Each of the 98 rooms, set under cool thatch, is equipped with an en-suite bathroom, air- conditioning and ceiling fan, telephone, mini-fridge, complimentary Wi-Fi and satellite TV with various channels.