Luxurious holidays in Namibia
What’s more, with Namibia's currency tied to the historically weak South African rand, luxury here is more economical than almost anywhere else in Africa.
While the country retains its appeal as a destination for relatively inexpensive self-drive trips, the number of high-end, luxurious properties is increasing – and a handful of these can compete with the most comfortable and opulent lodges in Africa. Think spa treatments, extensive winelists, top-quality food, attentive service and a wealth of activities.
That said, this kind of super-luxury is still relatively new in Namibia, and some properties may lack the assured finesse of their counterparts in Botswana, South Africa or Kenya. Yet where they score hands down is in the richness of a uniquely Namibian experience, be it cruising on the Kunene River, seeking out whale bones on the Skeleton Coast, visiting a traditional Himba village or climbing the dunes of the Namib Desert.
Comfort comes in all sorts of guises, but for those who equate luxury with exclusivity and unique experiences, Namibia comes into its own.
Best camps & lodges for Luxury in Namibia
Olive Exclusive
The seven stunning suites at Olive Exclusive are all individually themed and beautifully designed. Impressive photographs of African culture and wildlife embellish the walls whilst light floods through the spacious suites. This place is a rarity in Africa: a truly luxurious boutique hotel!
Serra Cafema
Nestled in a thin strip of luxuriant palm-forest, Serra Cafema stands beside a linear oasis: one of the country’s two permanent rivers through the desert. This is Namibia at its most remote, yet with beautiful suites where velvety bedspreads and sumptuous leather armchairs exude luxury.
Damaraland Camp
Started in 1996, Damaraland Camp was Namibia’s original ‘Luxury Safari Camp’. Since then it’s been reinvented on a much grander scale. Large, well-furnished chalets have high thatched roofs whilst expansive communal areas include lounges inside and out, and an inviting swimming pool.
Strand Hotel
Any list of luxury hotels in Swakopmund would be short, but most would start with ‘The Strand’. This ocean-front hotel has the best location in town, plus smart, very comfortable rooms; a very good seafood restaurant; and a rooftop spa complete with garden and outdoor therapy suite.
Hoanib Skeleton Camp
Whilst Hoanib Camp was designed around its ‘guest experience’, significant luxury was included as well. Consider the ‘quilted’ canvas which insulates the rooms from the desert’s extremes; a cooling pool for the hotter months; and vast windows through which to view the desert.
Okonjima Bush Camp
Okonjima Bush Camp's interior encompasses lovely African artefacts and carvings, while the en-suite bathrooms feature stylish stone washbasins and large walk-in showers. Highly attentive service and delicious food enhance its reputation as a luxurious Namibian safari lodge.
Wolwedans Desert Lodge
The food at Wolwedans Desert Lodge is outstanding and can be enjoyed at charming indoor and outdoor dining areas with lovely views on the surroundings. A pool with shady sun loungers and a comfy outside lounge are terrific locations to enjoy a luxurious safari experience.
Little Kulala
A comfortable rooftop terrace with a daybed is not only perfect to soak up the sun during the day but also a great option to sleep under the stars. Little Kulala is a smart and luxurious lodge offering delicious dining and a range of fine wines from their own wine cellar.
Sorris Sorris Lodge
The stylish (almost Spartan) wooden interiors are direct from the ‘Scandinavian-minimalist’ school of design, making a stay at Sorris Sorris a real luxury. Great food, a terrific pool and endless expansive views of desert complete this lodge’s very modern take on luxury.
Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
A personalised welcome pack and a complementary bottle of sparkling wine await you on arrival at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge – a perfect introduction to a luxury safari holiday. Small things such as a painting kit in your room show the lodge’s remarkable attention to detail.
Otjimbondona
Otjimbondona has clearly been built with a high attention to detail and the lodge exudes class. Vast villas, flexible activities and a relaxing atmosphere are the lodge’s hallmarks and with only four villas, your luxury escape in Namibia is sure to be exclusive too.
Onguma Tented Camp
Combining luxury with traditional style, Onguma Tented Camp lies on the eastern side of Namibia’s Etosha National Park. Whether you're keeping a look out for passing animals from your private veranda or relaxing in the roll-top bath, the watchword here is comfort.
Nambwa Tented Lodge
A complementary sherry awaits you when arriving in your luxurious suite at Nambwa Tented Lodge. A swanky chandelier in the lounge area with polished wooden floor as well as comfortable and classy leather armchairs complete its stylish and sumptuous appearance.
Okonjima Bush Suite
The luxurious two-room Okonjima Bush Suite, complete with spacious living area, is typically booked for exclusive use. Guests enjoy a private chef, a 13-metre swimming pool and the chance to get up close and personal with the cats of the AfriCat Foundation.
Okahirongo Ele. Lodge
Sun-loungers on your private veranda double as a luxurious bed for sleeping under the stars. Moreover, locally carved furnishings with lovely African patterns and a sparkling swimming pool are only a few of Okahirongo Elephant Lodge’s sumptuous facilities.
Mowani Mountain Camp
A decent pool with miraculous panoramic views is one of Mowani Mountain Camp’s outstanding features. If you’re after a luxurious safari holiday, Mowani with its design in an African theme and soft furnishings in a bright colour scheme won’t disappoint you.
Mushara Outpost
Tasteful wildlife images adorn Mushara Outpost's main area, which exudes an elegant farmhouse style. Each tent has a spacious bathroom whose outdoor shower has a view over the surrounding bush. It adds up to a perfect base for a luxury safari in Namibia.
The Nest
The Nest at Sossus is the height of style and luxury in the Namib-Naukluft area. An exclusive-use villa with a private guide and chef, it offers the ultimate flexibility to explore both the private reserve and the famous national park at your own pace.
Okonjima Villa
Okonjima Villa offers the luxury of an exclusive safari holiday, with a private host, chef and guide to take care of your individual needs. A sparkling infinity pool and a shaded outdoor daybed are perfect places to relax between the day’s excitements.
Onguma The Fort
Onguma The Fort has been designed with a Moroccan theme complete with ornate, antique doors, lantern-lit waterfalls and sumptuous interiors. High ceilings, with lots of light and air, add the opulent feeling of a smart desert camp beside an oasis.
Villa Mushara
Villa Mushara consists of two large villas whose opulent rooms are decorated with candelabras and chandeliers. Each villa has an open-air daybed/sala with views of a private waterhole: a great place to relax during a luxurious safari in Namibia
Omaanda
Omanda's warm hospitality, excellent food and extra touches such as the heated swimming pool or spa treatments make it one of the most easily accessible and most rewarding places to paper yourself with some luxury on your Namibian safari.
Wolwedans Plains Camp
Wolwedans Plains Camp is a sumptuous three-bedroom villa for exclusive use. A private chef and guide can be arranged to take care of your individual needs. This villa is ideal for those who want to spend a few days in pure private luxury.
Little Ongava
Little Ongava cares for only six guests at a time, offering very personal service combined with classic luxury. Expect large suites with private plunge pools, day beds and open fireplaces; this tiny lodge is strong on creature-comforts.
Weinberg Hotel
On a private estate in an upmarket suburb of Windhoek, The Weinberg offers comfortable and stylish rooms, five on-site restaurants and a state-of-the-art spa. For a spot of luxury in the Namibian capital, it's a strong contender.
Onduli Ridge
Great food, a wide range of activities and personalised service from a highly experienced team makes Onduli Ridge a great option for a stay on your luxury Namibian safari.
Luxury elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Luxury in other countries.
Where to see wildlife species in Namibia
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.
Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
69% SUCCESS
1,599 sightings from 2,303 observations
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
34% SUCCESS
1,281 sightings from 3,822 observations
Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
751 sightings from 2,476 observations
White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
43% SUCCESS
608 sightings from 1,402 observations
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
4,399 sightings from 4,833 observations
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
3,649 sightings from 4,504 observations
Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
These highly sociable little mammals have an endearing appearance and comical antics. Found in the drier areas of Southern Africa, close encounters are a sought-after experience.
21% SUCCESS
103 sightings from 499 observations
Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
3,084 sightings from 3,718 observations
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
4,255 sightings from 4,953 observations
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
3,209 sightings from 3,599 observations
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
2,613 sightings from 4,760 observations
Brown Hyena
Parahyaena brunnea
This largely solitary scavenger is one of the more elusive and little-known of Africa’s carnivores. Shaggier than its spotted cousin, it occurs only in the arid southwest of the continent.
16% SUCCESS
289 sightings from 1,847 observations
Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
2,359 sightings from 5,001 observations
Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
32% SUCCESS
1,045 sightings from 3,301 observations
Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
68% SUCCESS
2,980 sightings from 4,410 observations
Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
68 sightings from 3,998 observations
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
81 sightings from 3,956 observations
Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
49% SUCCESS
1,755 sightings from 3,546 observations
Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
4,618 sightings from 5,488 observations
Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
25% SUCCESS
597 sightings from 2,413 observations
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
24% SUCCESS
576 sightings from 2,425 observations
Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii
The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.
19% SUCCESS
75 sightings from 401 observations
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