Brandberg Restcamp: Our full report

Brandberg Restcamp is set in the small town of Uis, midway between Etosha National Park and Swakopmund.

With a number of natural attractions nearby, this no-frills but affordable camp makes a decent two- or three-night stopover. None of the Expert Africa team have stayed here, but we called in for a brief visit in 2018.

Brandberg’s main area is rather dated, but is large, open and cool, with plenty of places to sit and relax. The camp was originally established to house workers at the nearby mine, now closed, so its facilities are excellent. The Old Prospectors' Pub, a good-size bar area with a pool table, leads out to a 25-metre swimming pool, a welcome escape from the desert heat – but pool towels are not provided, so you'll have to use your room towels or bring your own. The spacious restaurant, where breakfasts, light lunches and set dinners are served, spills out onto a shaded poolside terrace with bench tables. Both are open to non-residents. There's also a guest lounge with satellite TV, and communal braai (barbecue) facilities.

Free WiFi, badminton, table tennis and water polo are available at the restcamp, while just a stone’s throw away there's a store selling basic groceries (helpful for self-caterers), a curio shop and a fuel station.

Brandberg Restcamp offers a couple of accommodation options, as well as camping facilities with communal ablutions and power points.

Four twin rooms lie alongside the pool, very simply furnished but clean and comfortable. These are air-conditioned and offered on a bed-and-breakfast basis, with en-suite bathrooms, ceiling fans, and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Five two-bedroom flats are self-catering and feature two en-suite bedrooms, a lounge area, a well-equipped kitchenette with microwave and stove, and undercover parking.

For those staying at Brandberg camp, plenty of activities can be arranged, with sundowner tours on the dunes near the town included in the room rates. The camp's owner, Basil Calitz, is a fascinating and exuberant guide, with enormous enthusiasm for the region and its geology. Basil drove us up out for an impromptu visit to the Tin Mine, which locals are beginning to work once again. It's an enjoyable and interesting 40-minute trip.

Drives to Namibia's highest mountain, the Brandberg – which is renowned for its collection of San paintings, especially the ‘White Lady’ – are also possible: it's popular with hikers and three- to five-day hikes with professional guides can be arranged on request.

Other activities at Brandberg Restcamp include guided game drives around the area, during which desert adapted elephants and herds of zebra can be spotted. The camp is also reasonably well placed for self-drive trips to Spitzkoppe, the Petrified Forest, and the World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein.

Our view

Brandberg Restcamp seems like a good stopover for self-drivers wishing to explore the Brandberg Mountains and beyond to Damaraland. Friendly and welcoming, it offers simple and affordable rooms and flats in beautiful natural surroundings, with plenty to do and a lot to explore – but don’t come expecting luxury.

Richard Trillo

Namibia expert

Geographics

Location: Damaraland, Namibia
Ideal length of stay: 2 - 3 nights
Directions: Brandberg Restcamp is located in the centre of Uis, just off the C36.
Accessible by: Self-drive

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Bed & Breakfast
Food quality: The restaurant is open seven days a week to both residents and non-residents. Meals are simple but hearty, and the steaks are excellent.
Dining style: Individual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service: No
Drinks included: Drinks aren't included but are reasonably priced.

Children

Attitude towards children: Children are welcome
Equipment: High chairs and cots are available on request.
Generally recommended for children: Brandberg Restcamp would be a great place for older children – there’s plenty to do, and it’s a nice chance to unwind after long periods in the car in a relaxed and child friendly environment.
Notes: The pool is large, central and not fenced, so children need to be constantly supervised.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Brandberg Restcamp

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Brandberg Restcamp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.