Namaqua Chameleon Self-drive: Day-by-day

Elegant is a simple, homely guesthouse that provides the ideal starting or finishing point for an epic Namibian road-trip. A simple, chic Windhoek guesthouse that’s the ideal place to relax at the beginning or end of your trip. Elegant by name, elegant by nature. It’s the watchword of this simple, contemporary pension in quiet residential neighbourhood Klein Windhoek. The guesthouse is close enough to the city centre (five minutes’ drive ish) to revel in the low-key buzz of Namibia’s capital, but far enough away to offer a slice of suburban cool (literally, thanks to plenty of shady spots).

Six low-slung white-and-brick rooms gathered around a courtyard are welcoming and comfortable, and the palm trees sticking out of the corrugated roof add a playful touch.

There’s an easy-breezy open-plan feel here, helped by the homely lounge (particularly inviting after a hot afternoon spent exploring Windhoek), pool surrounded by sun loungers, pot plants placed at jaunty angles around the property and groomed lawn complete with bistro furniture. The easy-going vibe makes it an ideal place to begin or end your Namibia trip.

"Nice welcome, and good advice on restaurants."

M&JfromOxfordshire

Arrived 18 Jul 2024, 1 night

Although the breakfast here is excellent (think eggs and bacon on demand), make the pilgrimage to Joe’s Beerhouse down the road from the hotel for lunch or dinner. It’s a lively, beer bottle-decorated sprawl of tables and a local must-do. See our full report on Elegant Guesthouse

Experience the timeless beauty of the Namib Desert at Namib Outpost, where luxury meets unspoiled wilderness. It's a wilderness setting that stretches across vast gravel plains to the mountains in the distance, dwarfing the lodge in its grandeur.

Take it all in from individual air-conditioned chalets, partially set on stilts on the lower slopes of a mountain. Whether you’re on your private deck, or gazing out through floor-to-ceiling glass doors, or simply wandering along the path to the heart of the camp, that view is omnipresent.

Make the most of it, too, as you enjoy an alfresco breakfast or lunch on the deck. Take a drink from the bar and wander over to the pool – with a view, of course. Or clamber up to the crow’s nest sundowner deck to watch the sun sink into the west.

Exploring the area is a must, whether driving yourself, hiking, or on a sundowner drive. Horseriding gives an entirely different vantage point, while helicopter and hot-air balloon rides add yet another dimension.

"Excellent accommodation, good food and great staff. sundown was a highlight."

Mike & DawnfromBolton

Arrived 16 Sep 2024, 2 nights

No matter what you’ve been up to, enjoy dinner in the cosy dining area, where an open fire will stave off any winter chill. Then head to your chalet, perhaps to sleep beneath the canopy of stars, glorying in the beauty of the Namibian night sky. See our full report on Namib Outpost

Located in a quiet, residential area of Swakopmund, Namib Guesthouse is a small, eco-friendly bed and breakfast. It is conveniently located, just 10-15 minutes walk from the seafront and a similar distance to the town centre.

"Comfortable, clean and a bit more basic"

Mr & Mrs WfromWinchester

Arrived 15 Apr 2018, 2 nights

Namib Guesthouse is a pleasant, modern property in a peaceful yet convenient area of Swakopmund. The comfortable furnishings, efficient service, and incredibly helpful and friendly nature of the staff make this a superb base from which to explore Swakopmund. See our full report on Namib Guesthouse

Friendly, and decidedly quirky, Camp Kipwe combines superb views across the plains with easy access to the attractions of Damaraland. With their rounded walls and curved roofs, the rooms or epondoks at Camp Kipwe are almost unique among Namibian lodges.

Slotted into an outcrop of boulders that are typical of Damaraland, these igloo-like rooms are designed to mitigate the extremes of Namibia's climate – albeit with a little help from air conditioning.

Rush mats line the floors, tree trunks create bedside tables, and rustic poles frame the verandas – which face west with seemingly endless views across the plains. In a camp that feels at one with the surroundings, it's fitting that the rocks sometimes butt into the open-air bathrooms as if they belonged – here providing privacy for the toilet, there a backdrop for the shower.

A tantalising rock pool benefits from the boulders, which shelter it from the harsh midday sun, while towards evening, another kopje does service as a sundowner spot. Climb up here and watch – drink in hand – as the African sun dips below the horizon.

"Our favourite place!"

Mr & Mrs HfromWirral

Arrived 9 Sep 2024, 2 nights

Such is the outdoor appeal of Kipwe, it can be hard to tear yourself in for dinner, but the food – including locally grown vegetables – is worth it. And you can always finish the day around the firepit, with the stars sparkling overhead. See our full report on Camp Kipwe

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.

"Safariehoek is amazing. We will be returning as soon as possible."

Mr & Mrs HfromYorkshire

Arrived 29 Oct 2024, 3 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

Boasting a superb location, its own floodlit waterhole and relatively good value, Halali ticks a lot of boxes. It’s also the smallest of Etosha’s original government restcamps, and quieter too – a big plus when watching animals is the focus of every visitor.

Unique among these restcamps is Halali’s dolomite kopje, which offers the opportunity for a short walk within the camp, something that’s all too rare in this iconic national park.

Dotted among the trees across the otherwise level site are chalets and rooms in various configurations. Functional but clean, all are geared to self-drivers and some come with cooking facilities. If that doesn’t fit into your holiday picture, there’s a restaurant on site too, and the large swimming pool is a strong attraction for families.

Of prime interest to most is Halali’s permanent waterhole, an inviting magnet for black rhino, elephant and plenty of plains game. With a natural setting on the edge of the camp, it’s a peaceful spot to while away an hour or two.

"waterhole was very disappointing - not well-lit"

Mr & Mrs H fromVictoria

Arrived 15 Sep 2024, 1 night

To explore the national park, you’ll need to take to a vehicle – your own or on one of the camp’s game drives. After dark, though, a game drive is your only option, a great opportunity to seek out Etosha’s nocturnal creatures in near isolation. See our full report on Halali Camp

Underpinning almost every stay at Okonjima is the chance to track – and photograph – wildlife, and especially leopard. Even for the most casual visitor, the plains, rocks and riverine thickets of the huge Okonjima private reserve make an enticing setting for a game drive or a walk through the bush; for the keen photographer, it's close to leopard heaven.

To an extent, Plains Camp mirrors the size of the reserve in its sheer scale. Whether they're after a drink or a substantial meal, a curio or to book a game drive, guests gather in The Barn, a spacious yet contemporary take on a traditional farm building, complete with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the plains. Murals depict the cattle-farming origins of the camp, while an old farm dam is the influence behind the swimming pool.

Echoing the sense of space are the bedrooms, where splashes of colour and African artwork offset the light décor, and views from the beds could be an incentive for a lie-in.

"a number of guided walks, well marked and quite challenging on rocky terrain."

Mr & Mrs LfromGloucester

Arrived 11 Oct 2024, 1 night

And in case you need a further incentive, a stay at Okonjima also contributes to the work of the AfriCat Foundation, which is committed to further wildlife conservation through education and research. See our full report on Okonjima Plains Camp