Picture enormous Lawrence-of-Arabia type dunes, vast gravel plains, towering mountain ranges, and deep sculptured canyons. This is the Namib-Naukluft National Park, one of the largest conservation areas in Africa. It's easy to explore the contrasting landscapes by yourself. The roads are spectacular, so make sure you leave plenty of time to stop, take photographs, and have a picnic surrounded by space and silence.

Click here for a map of the Namib-Naukluft area.

There are an enormous number of options for staying in this region, most of which are very cose together. Despite this, it's helpful to think of them in three slightly different areas:

Naukluft Mountains

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Jutting out into the desert are the impressive Naukluft Mountains. Whilst the high plateaux and mountainsides tend to be rocky and sparsely vegetated, the ravines and valleys are verdant. This area receives few visitors but is peaceful, beautiful and ideal for serious hiking.

In the Naukluft Mountains, you'll find streams, waterfalls, and verdant ravines which contrast with the aridity of the surrounding desert. Vegetation is lush in the kloofs and valleys, with sycamore figs, wild olive and shepherd's trees particularly common – it's perfect hiking country. Birdlife is prolific, too. On a morning walk you may spot dassies lazing in the sun and, if you are lucky, a klipspringer or Hartmann's zebra silhouetted on the hillside.

Places to stay in this area include, to the north Ababis Guest Farm, to the east Bullsport Guest Farm, the delightfully offbeat Rostock Ritz, the friendly Swartfontein Guest Farm and the ever-popular Zebra River Lodge.

<< Click on the menu, above left, for more details of these places.

Sesriem area

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In the centre of the park, near Sesriem, the Tsauchab River meanders into the heart of the desert. Along its course the river has carved smooth tunnels from the sandstone, forming the beautiful Sesriem Canyon. Emerging into the desert, it has cleared sand from a flat avenue, now lined by towering apricot dunes. This is a breathtaking 60km drive that you will never forget.

At the end, you can walk across a small bar of sand into Sossusvlei: a photogenic clay pan, dotted with green acacia trees and ringed by graceful curving dunes. Many say this is the most beautiful place they have ever seen.

As with the Naukluft Mountains, there is much you can see and do for yourself here, from climbing the world's highest dunes to hiking down the Sesriem Canyon. In the early mornings you can take a balloon flight over the desert to a champagne breakfast, or drive to catch the dawn light on the dunes with your camera. Then there are the depths of the Sesriem Canyon to explore, roaring dunes to climb and wildlife to spot all around. Even at night it's enchanting; the silence and the clarity of the starry skies will astound you.

To explore this area, the closest places to stay include sister-camps Kulala Desert Lodge, Little Kulala, Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp and Kulala Wilderness Camp; as well as the excellent value Desert Homestead and Weltevrede Restcamp, the convenient Sossusvlei Lodge, and the new Le Mirage Desert Lodge & Spa.

<< Click on the menu, above left, for more details of these places.

NamibRand Nature Reserve

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South of Sesriem the NamibRand Nature Reserve protects a beautiful area of desert, part of the the southern dune fields of the Namib. The NamibRand Nature Reserve is one of Africa's largest private sanctuaries. It encompasses diverse landscapes and environments, from huge red sand dunes to vegetated inter-dune valleys, sand and gravel plains, and imposing mountains.

Low dune fields cut into the desert plains, with mountains visible in the distance. At sunrise the contrast of the ochre sand, yellow grasses, and long dark shadows make for spectacular photography. It's a magical, captivating place.

To do justice to this region, stay for three nights. It is best visited in addition to the Naukluft Mountains and/or the Sesriem area – not as an alternative to these. There are several lodges on the reserve. All are different; speak to our knowledgeable team to see which will suit you best – and which combinations of camps work well together.

On prime locations at the heart of this area are Wolwedans Dune Lodge, Wolwedans Dune Camp and Wolwedans Private Camp – all of which concentrate their efforts on an experience of the NamibRand. North of Wolwedans, the Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge certainly ranks as one of Namibia's top places, whilst south of the reserve Tok Tokkie Trails offers really excellent 3-day/2-night walking trips through the desert.

<< Click on the menu, above left, for more details of these places.

Click here for a map of the Namib-Naukluft area.


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