Camp Doros: Our full report

Opened in 2023, Camp Doros lies within a 190km² community concession at the heart of Namibia’s semi-desert Damaraland.

While we have yet to visit the camp, travellers can expect a stripped-back wilderness experience focusing on top-quality guiding from a team we've known for many years.

The camp overlooks one of the usually dry rivers that wind through this semi-arid land, dotted with groves of mopane trees and offering a lifeline to wildlife. It shares the reserve with its more luxurious sister lodge, Onduli Ridge, although the two are widely separated and independently run.

Just six tents accommodate guests at Camp Doros, each with twin beds, or a double, and one designed for a family. All the tents are set up on platforms, with storage space, solar lighting and charging points, and open-air bathrooms. At the front you’ll find a private deck, with a day bed from which to take in the landscape.

While the firepit at the heart of this small camp is not unexpected, visitors may be surprised to find a plunge pool and sundeck, particularly welcome after a day in the hot Namibian sun.

The main area also incorporates a lounge, complete with chimenea-like fires that come into their own in the winter months, as well as a dining room and bar area.

Although the area around Camp Doros is home to a range of desert-adapted wildlife, from oryx and giraffe to elephant and mountain zebra, the camp’s activities focus on tracking black rhino with their team of experienced guides. Visitors staying for at least three nights may also be able to set out in search of desert-adapted elephant, or to visit rock engravings within the reserve. Nature walks and nature drives add further opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of this very special environment.

The experienced team behind Camp Doros run several other camps in Namibia, including the similarly styled Camp Sossus, which would combine especially well with a few nights here.

Our view

A small new camp within a remote area of Damaraland is cause for celebration. With our experience of the team behind Camp Doros, we have high hopes for its success.

Tom Morris

Country manager: Namibia

Geographics

Location: Damaraland, Namibia
Ideal length of stay: Minimum 2-night stay
Directions: Visitors arriving by air are collected at Onduli Airstrip for the 75-minute guided nature drive to camp.

Those driving their own vehicles should leave their vehicles at the Onduli Airstrip and Lounge, where they will be collected at 3.00pm for the drive to camp.
Accessible by: Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board & Activities
Food quality: Despite the simplicity of Camp Doros, whose kitchen equipment is largely solar and wood-fired, we would anticipate that meals will be as good as those that we’ve experienced at the affiliated Camp Sossus.
Drinks included: Soft and house drinks from local gins and beers to South African wines are included.

Children

Attitude towards children: Children of 6 years and older may stay at Camp Doros. Younger children are accepted where the entire camp is booked for exclusive use.
Property’s age restrictions: Families with children aged 12 or younger must have a private vehicle for activities.
Special activities & services: There is a children’s menu, and family-friendly activities are available.
Equipment: Camp Doros has a family tent.
Generally recommended for children: While the camp has plenty of options for families, we feel it would be best suited to children who are old enough to be genuinely interested in the environment.
Notes: In such an open camp, with wild animals potentially patrolling through, children of all ages must be constantly supervised by an adult or guardian.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Camp Doros

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Camp Doros 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.

Black Rhino

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Oryx

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Elephant

50% success

Brown Hyena

0% success

Cheetah

0% success

Leopard

0% success

Lion

0% success

Spotted Hyena

0% success

Wildebeest

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes: There is a back-up generator.
Communications: There is a dedicated WiFi lounge for guests’ use.
TV & radio: None
Water supply: Borehole
Water supply notes: Bathrooms have plumbed in toilets and hot-water showers.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: The closest hospital is in Outjo, about a 2½hr drive from the lodge. In case of emergency, guests can be flown to Windhoek. For more minor treatment, the guides and managers are trained in first aid.
Dangerous animals: Moderate Risk
Fire safety