Olive Exclusive

Windhoek: 1 Night

This intimate boutique hotel in a tranquil corner of Windhoek embodies the very essence of chic comfort.

The Olive Exclusive - the first ultra-luxurious sanctuary of its kind in the Namibian capital - is cool, contemporary and stylish but with a warm heart and authentic African soul. Its sleek, modern lines are complemented by organic textures, natural furnishings, an eco-friendly approach and dedicated personal service.

Simple elegance is key, from the organic rough-hewn wooden benches and side tables, through the sculpted chunk of granite that serves as a coffee table in the guest lounge, to walls clad in abstract Namibian landscapes by well-known South African designer and photographer Micky Hoyle.

The Olive Exclusive boasts a quality restaurant featuring a seasonal menu with inventive signature dishes - always delicious and never formal.

All this combines to make the Olive Exclusive an extremely easy and luxurious overnight stop to begin or end your Namibian holiday, or if time permits, stay longer for a relaxing treat.

There are just 7 suites in total, and each suite is individually decorated, reflecting a different region in Namibia. Each suite also has its own lounge area with fireplace and dining room for private dining. Wide glass doors open onto spacious decks where you can relax on a shady daybed and enjoy al fresco lunches. The en-suite bathrooms have a large walk-in shower and a deep free-standing bath. Well placed and easily adjustable lighting adds to the relaxing ambience.

The 3 Junior Suites are set within their own private courtyards with outdoor seating. Large glass windows and cool screeded floors complement the light and spacious interiors.

The 4 Premier Suites have front-row position overlooking the olive grove and valley beyond, and tall glass windows make the most of the views. Doors lead to a large deck with a plunge pool, sun loungers and additional seating.

Little Kulala

Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert: 2 Nights

Little Kulala is a luxurious desert retreat situated in the private 37,000 hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve - the gateway to Namibia's Dune Sea with its towering dunes and clear starry skies. The camp takes its design inspiration from its surroundings, notably from the magnificent Dead Vlei in the middle of Sossusvlei.

The lodge features an elegant main guest area which includes a library, wine cellar, craft boutique, lounge and dining areas. There is also a central shaded swimming pool. A waterhole in front of the main lodge building provides the opportunity to see gemsbok (oryx), springbok, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, ostrich and jackals.

Activities at Little Kulala include morning guided drives to the spectacular towering dunes of Sossusvlei, through a private gate into the reserve. Guided drives and walks are also offered on the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve with incredible views, desert-adapted wildlife and plants, and the sunset/sundowner excusion is always very popular! Quad-biking and electric fat biking can also be arranged as can a hot air balloon trip, which offers a truly unique experience to soar silently above the magnificent sand dunes and desert, with a champagne breakfast being served at your landing site.

The Namib is known for its clear night skies, and with no light pollution this is the ideal spot from which to learn about the incredible formations of the stars and planets. The guides are also known to dabble in astronomy and will guide you through the constellations.

Accommodation consists of 11 climate-controlled, thatched 'kulalas' (the word means 'to sleep') which merge impeccably into the timeless desert landscape. Each kulala has exquisite fittings and fixtures, plus a private deck with plunge pool. The en-suite bathroom has both indoor and outdoor showers.

A staircase leading to the flat rooftop above the bathroom provides the ideal setting for star-gazing, and sleep-outs on the bottom deck of each accommodation complete the experience.

Hoanib Valley Camp

Kaokoland: 3 Nights

In a country jam-packed with vast, spectacularly beautiful landscapes, Kaokoland may just be the most incredible of them all. Deep in north-western Namibia, the area is a melee of towering mountains, sand dunes, and huge expanses of desert, scattered with unique wildlife and nomadic Himba settlements. It’s also one of Namibia’s most remote and wild environments, and one that not many will get the chance to discover in a lifetime.

And that’s exactly why Hoanib Valley Camp was built. A joint venture between the local communities and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the world’s only Africa-wide giraffe conservation organisation, the camp is an elegant, intimate affair that immerses you into the wilds of the desert.

Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) are the longest running giraffe conservation charity in Africa and are the leaders in cutting edge giraffe research. In Hoanib, their research not only focusses on the desert-adapted giraffe in the area, but also helps to monitor elephant and general game. Very few people realise the giraffe are endangered and they are often over-shadowed by the larger species such as rhino and elephant. Through their genetic work, the GCF have discovered 4 distinct species of giraffe across Africa, instead of what was formally thought to be sub-species - crucial information concerning the future of giraffe populations across the continent. When in camp there are opportunities to meet the researchers and learn about the critical work going on in the area.

The 6 rooms blend seamlessly with the environment, offering a simple aesthetic that matches the rugged landscape down to a tee. Days are spent tracking endangered rhino, desert-adapted elephant and lion, and of course desert-adapted giraffe, before retiring to your private veranda to marvel at the magnitude of your surroundings (with a gin and tonic or a cold beer in your hand). As well as game drives, guests can also experience cultural interactions with the local Herero and Himba people.

The camp is entirely solar powered to ensure carbon emissions are kept to a minimum, and the tents sit on decks made of a wood, bamboo and 70% recycled-material composite.

Because of the location, a journey by road from Windhoek would take 8 hours (or 7 hours from Swakopmund), so most people choose to fly in via light aircraft.

Ongava Tented Camp

Etosha National Park: 3 Nights

The Etosha National Park is Namibia's premier wildlife park, and home to great concentrations of game. Ongava Tented Camp is situated within the Ongava Game Reserve, a 30,000 hectare private reserve which is located adjacent to the southern boundary of the Park.

The camp is situated towards the centre of the reserve, at the foothills of the mountains. The main dining area is under thatch with a veranda, and all meals are served around a large 'family' style table. The camp also has a pool, and a much-frequented floodlit waterhole in front of the camp, where guests can experience excellent game viewing from the main veranda and the swimming pool.

Activities include morning guided game drives in an open Land Rover into the Okaukuejo area of Etosha, where it is possible to see elephant, lion and many plains game including springbok, gemsbok, giraffe and hartebeest.

Guests can also enjoy day and night drives on the private reserve, which is home to the endemic black-faced impala, lion, zebra and resident white and black rhino. Tracking white rhino on foot is a highlight.

Walks with a guide are also available, as are visits to a hide overlooking the waterhole.

The accommodation at this small, classic, traditional tented camp is in 'Meru-style' or East African tents.

Each of the luxury 8 walk-in tents have double doors in the front that lead onto a veranda, allowing for views to the bush and waterhole. The bathroom is under thatch, whilst the shower area is open air. Hot water is provided, which is solar-powered.