Just over 30km from Sesriem, Desert Homestead offers affordable accommodation in a lovely valley setting, with panoramic views of the Naukluft Mountains and rocky desert landscape. One of the better-value lodges in the area, it is both comfortable and unpretentious.
The lodge is made up of a long row of 20 large, thatched chalets connected by sandy pathways. Tastefully decorated in natural tones with low-level lighting, the chalets all have their own veranda overlooking the wide open plains. Behind the wall at the back of the bed is the bathroom. (Read more about a chalet at Desert Homestead...)
When it's cold, candle-lit dinners are served in the romantic indoor dining room, warmed by a fire; in balmy weather meals are eaten on the wide veranda with lanterns under the stars. The food at Desert Homestead has a home-cooked feel, and the menu is varied and appealing with three courses offered every evening.
The main lounge offers views of the surrounding desert through large glass windows and from the adjacent veranda. With comfortable sofas and colourful, overstuffed scatter cushions, it's a good place to relax, or there's a row of bar stools lining the rustic wooden bar. Tea and coffee are on offer all day, with homemade cakes available in the afternoon.
Below the lounge and veranda area is a small and sparkling pool, sheltered behind rocky outcrops and surrounded by sunloungers. Come here to relax and cool off at the end of a hot day, while taking in the views.
The Desert Homestead offers a range of activities, with a particular focus on horseriding. The sunrise horseriding trip was great fun, even for a novice rider, with beautiful scenery and an informative guide. If horses are not your thing, there are also sundowner drives, guided walks and excursions to Sossusvlei and the Naukluft Mountains. Desert Homestead can also book ballooning and scenic flights, as well as quadbiking.
In conclusion… If you are looking for a good-value, comfortable lodge from which to explore Sossusvlei, and don't mind being slightly further from Sesriem than other lodges, look no further than the friendly Desert Homestead.
Food quality: When we last visited the food was delicious and well presented, focusing on a variety of game meats with sauces cooked in a homely style. For dessert, chocolate mousse is a particular favourite. Breakfast is a choice of healthy muesli and yoghurt or a full English breakfast.
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: No
Drinks included: Not included; to be paid for locally.
Special interests
Riding: Desert Homestead offers a range of horseriding activities. These range from sunrise or sunset horserides of one to two hours, to sleep-outs lasting from one to five nights. These longer horseriding trips offer accommodation in luxury tents with all your food cooked for you.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for riding in Namibia
Children
Attitude towards children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Age restrictions: None
Activities: None
Equipment: None
Generally recommended for children: Yes
Notes: Children must be supervised by their parents at all times.
Central communications
Power supply: Generator
Communications: There is a central phone in the main area which guests can use and pay for locally. There is mobile reception at the lodge.
TV & radio: Yes
Health & safety
Malarial area: No
Medical care: The nearest doctor is Windhoek or Swakopmund. In emergency cases patients would be flown to Windhoek.
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Security measures: Not necessary
Fire safety: There is a fire extinguisher in each chalet.
Extras
Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: At an extra charge
Money: Currency exchange is available.
Accepted payment: All major credit cards are accepted as a method of payment. No commission is charged on credit-card payments.
Desert Homestead review
We thought the service at Desert Homestead was excellent and the staff friendly and well-organised. The atmosphere engendered meant that the guests communicated with each other in a way that just does...
Arrived on: 22-Dec-2011
Stayed for: 2 nights
Traveller:
Desert Homestead - comfortable and inviting
We felt very comfortable and at home at Desert Homestead. Friendly staff, beautiful views, well appointed and homey chalets and main lodge.
A very easy place to spend some time.
Desert Homestead review
Superb !
Setting, location, rooms all beyond expectations !
The only comment I would make would be that the "en-suite" toilet facilities were actually "in room" - as these were...
Click on the links below to read sections from the Bradt guidebook which are related to Desert Homestead.
Desert Homestead Put Desert Homestead into context – read more about it in the Bradt travel guide to Nambia.
Useful links...
We want you to understand more about Desert Homestead. We're also confident that a trip there with us cost you the same or less than booking it any other way, even directly. So follow the links below.
This lodge's homepage Click on the above link to go straight to the informative website of the Desert Homestead. Note that it cn be a bit slow to load sometimes.
Desert Homestead 