Monteiro's Hornbill Fly-in Safari: Day-by-day

A stunning hotel focused around the estate house of an old vineyard, the Weinberg Hotel is arguably Windhoek's hidden gem. In its 21st-century incarnation, the Weinberg Estate amounts to a luxurious self-contained village, with most amenities that you could need without having to venture into the city centre.

Enjoy a few hours of pampering and relaxation at the Soulstice Spa or a refreshing swim in its outdoor pool; settle down with a glass of wine in the library; sample the local cuisine at one of five restaurants on the estate; or take in the views of Windhoek from the Sky Lounge.

The on-site gym has a view too, softening the blow of exercising off those excess pounds, and there's a hair salon to help you prepare for an evening out. The estate even has its own ATM.

"room was modern and a comfortable bed. Breakfast good choice - healthy options"

Mr & Mrs CfromBristol

Arrived 10 Oct 2023, 1 night

And then there are the rooms. Just 41 of them make up this unusual hotel, in six different styles – some with views, some with kitchenettes (did we mention the on-site delicatessen?), some split level – and all very comfortable indeed. With so many options, the Weinberg works for individuals, couples, even families; what more could you ask? See our full report on Weinberg Hotel

Kwessi Dunes is a new property in the northern NamibRand Reserve, opened in 2020. While information on what to expect here is sparse, we have known the company behind the lodge for a long time and have every faith that this will be a wonderful new offering set in one of Namibia most spectacular landscapes.

"one of the most beautiful places on earth"

Mr AfromMallorca

Arrived 21 Dec 2022, 2 nights

Kwessi Dunes had a difficult beginning, opening for just a few days before the Covid-19 lockdown. While none of our team has visited yet, we are expecting great things when we do get the chance to drop in. See our full report on Kwessi Dunes

One of Namibia’s most remote regions is the setting for this camp of understated luxury with an exceptional range of activities. Appearances can be deceptive – and rarely more so than at Hoanib Valley Camp in Namibia’s remote and seemingly barren Kaokoveld region.

A bird’s eye view could at first glance suggest a workers’ camp, the monochrome flysheets of its tented rooms forming little contrast with the desert plains. But zoom in closer – and prepare for a surprise. For here, sheltered at the foot of a mountain, you’ve stumbled across a veritable oasis of eco-tranquillity.

Beneath those flysheets you’ll find tented rooms – just six of them – whose creature comforts would put many a boutique hotel to shame. King-size beds, twin basins and fluffy towels, of course. But silk dressing gowns? And dampened kikois to cool you down on a hot day?

And then there’s the view – a seemingly endless vista of plains and dunes backed by mountains where desert animals hide in the ever-changing shadows. Explore with an expert guide – in search of wildlife, or to a local village, or further afield to the Giraffe Foundation – who partner with the local community in this exceptional venture.

Then, closer to camp, take a wander on foot, drink in hand, to herald the dawning of a star-studded sky.

"food is exceptional - is tucked in the mountain so has little warm micro climate"

Mrs CfromBarbados

Arrived 22 Jul 2022, 2 nights

It seems you can have the best of both worlds. See our full report on Hoanib Valley Camp

Balancing rugged beauty with contemporary style, Shipwreck Lodge enables you to experience the remoteness of the Skeleton Coast in comfort. Shipwrecks can be the stuff of fantasy – delivered at Shipwreck Lodge complete with mist-shrouded sands and crashing seas.

Marooned on Namibia’s desolate and remote Skeleton Coast, the lodge feels almost part of a film set, its rooms seemingly scattered across the sands like so much fragile matchwood.

On closer inspection, the debris transmutes into light-wood cabins with great big picture windows that bring the sea to you – without the waves and the salt-stinging wind; toasty wood burners keep the cold at bay, and colourful fabrics offset the oft-monochrome hues of your surroundings. What better way to immerse yourself in fantasy than in warmth and comfort?

Should fair weather prevail, Shipwreck Lodge is fully prepared, with sunloungers on the sea-facing deck. But if the wind rises while you’re enjoying your afternoon tea or a spectacular sunset over the Atlantic Ocean, blankets are on hand so you can cosy up and carry on.

"the remoteness of the location and the coast are amazing"

Mrs ACBfromChicago

Arrived 23 Mar 2022, 3 nights

Lining these inhospitable shores are Cape fur seals, closely followed by black-backed jackals and solitary brown hyenas, while on the ephemeral Hoarusib River, desert-adapted elephant eke out a living. So whether on foot, on a quadbike, or in a rugged 4WD, keep your eyes peeled. Even the scuttling crabs are worth seeking out. See our full report on Skeleton Coast Shipwreck Lodge

Warm thatch combines with contemporary styling at Safarihoek to create a decidedly modern take on a safari lodge. Set on a hill overlooking a small waterhole and open expanses of mopane woodland within a huge private reserve, it’s both wonderfully remote and perfectly located for watching wildlife.

Square stone pillars flanked by a pole fence set the scene, leading in to a pleasantly unstructured area where concrete pathways that wind between the buildings introduce a sense of solidity.

Step inside the main area and that feeling is enhanced by smartly painted walls, sliding glass doors and a secure balcony set with bar stools around high tables. Then in the evening, a woodburner banishes the cold as you cosy up on leather armchairs with a coffee or perhaps a selection from the wine cellar.

Rooms, too, have none of the temporary feel often associated with safari lodges. Light and spacious, with views over the reserve from the bed or private balcony, they wouldn’t be out of place in a smart hotel.

"We had a great time here and saw masses of animals"

Mr AfromMallorca

Arrived 29 Dec 2022, 2 nights

But with its proximity to Etosha National Park, the reserve’s animals – including black rhino – are the major attraction. Seek them out on game drives, day and night, or watch from the split-level photographic hide as they come to you. See our full report on Safarihoek Lodge