Namib Outpost: Our full report
Formerly known as Desert Homestead Outpost, Namib Outpost has been re-built and re-opened in April 2023.
Expert Africa has recently visited the property and will be updating this page soon. The current information on this page is about the experience as it was at Desert Homestead Outpost.The property is a 30km drive from the Sesriem gate, the entrance to the magnificent Namib-Naukluft Park. A very comfortable, if slightly remote base for exploring the Sossusvlei area, it has individual stilted houses with panoramic views over the vast gravel plains and mountains in the distance.
Desert Homestead Outpost lies on the lower section of one of the area's mountains, affording excellent views across the gravel plains to the mountains and the Namib's dunes in the distance. It's found along an 8km drive leading west from the C19. The last section of thise driveway is quite steep, so self-drivers are well advised to drop their luggage at reception before driving back down the hill to park.
Spread across three levels, the main area at Desert Homestead Outpost consists of the reception, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a bar, and the lodge's inviting swimming pool. The outdoor areas provide plenty of shaded seating in which to hide from the heat of the sun and the indoor dining area has a fireplace to stave off the colder evenings of Namibia's winter.
Perched high above the lodge like a ship's crow's nest on top of a mountain, the sundowner deck is a spectacular place to watch the sunset or perhaps the sunrise. The track up to the deck is somewhat steep with a loose surface, so perhaps not suitable for the less fleet of foot, and it should only be walked when there is sufficient light. On our last visit in May 2018 we climbed up here in the early afternoon, and despite the heat of the day and the effort of the steep climb it was worth it for the incredible panoramic views of the desert, and we can imagine that it makes an incredible sundowner spot.
Desert Homestead Outpost has 11 twin houses, each partially set up on stilts and decorated with neutral greens and browns, offering a modern take on a safari lodge feel. These houses offer a spacious en-suite bathroom, featuring a loo with a view and – in the newer houses away from the main area – an outdoor shower. Our favorite feature, however, is the sleeper deck on the roof; each room is provided with a sleeping roll and extra blankets for guests to take to the sleeper deck for a night under the stars – or this can be arranged with housekeeping in advance if you want the 'star bed' to be set up for you. You'll also find a private shaded sundeck, mosquito net, air conditioning, an honesty minibar, complimentary tea and coffee station, and a small digital safe. Please note that the walk to the furthest of the houses from the main area is about 360m along an uneven path with a loose surface. Less mobile travellers may wish to request a house closer to the main area.
At the end of the row of houses is a spacious 'superior unit', which was completed in July 2016. This has its own private lounge, luxurious plunge pool and large deck complete with loungers and its very own spherical, cushioned nest to enjoy the view. This unit is available on a dinner, bed and breakfast rate and is perfect for honeymooners or perhaps families.
Desert Homestead Outpost The lodge offers sundowner drives, which last for a couple of hours and involve a scenic nature drive, culminating in watching the sunset over drinks and snacks at an appropriate spot. These aim to leave the lodge at around 17:005.00–5.30pm-17:30 in the summer (October to March) and 3.30–4.00pm in winter. There are also hiking and jogging trails here. A number of additional activities are run from the lodge's sister property, Desert Homestead, about 10km away. These include trips to Sossusvlei, guided horse rides (lasting from half a day to several days), nature drives in the surrounding area, and guided and unguided hiking trails. Hot-air ballooning and helicopter flights can also be arranged.
Our view
Situated a little further from the dunes than other camps in the area, Desert Homestead Outpost is a great option for those looking for a feel of remoteness in what is becoming an increasingly busy area. We liked the welcoming and comfortable feel of the lodge, and the views from the striking, stilted houses are some of the best in the area.
Namibia expert
Geographics
- Location
- Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia
- Ideal length of stay
- 2-3 nights
- Directions
- Desert Homestead Outpost lies 30km from the Sesriem gate, and is accessed and signposted from the C19.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Half Board
- Food quality
- During our most recent stay, in October 2016, the standard of food was high.
Breakfast is a European-style buffet with a large choice of muesli, fresh fruit, yoghurts, teas, coffees and more. A cooked breakfast can be ordered on request.
We took the opportunity to enjoy lunch on our last stay, and ordered a fantastic fish and chips from the pub-style a la carte menu.
Dinner is a five-course set menu. Last time we stayed at the camp we were served a crumbed camembert with a chilli sauce, followed by calamari rings, then a peach granita to clear the palate. The main course was either grilled chicken breast supreme filled with cheese and served with a tomato and onion relish, or a prime cut of beef steak, flame grilled and served with a red-wine reduction. A homemade cheesecake with a strawberry coulis rounded off the meal delightfully. Depending on the weather, dinner may take the from of a braai. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- Drinks are not included. We are told that the borehole water here is safe to drink, but if preferred, bottled water can be bought from the bar or the honesty bar found in the houses.
Special interests
- Riding holidays
- Guests at Namib Outpost can take advantage of some of the best horseriding in Namibia at its sister property, Desert Homestead, situated only 10km away.
- See ideas for Riding holidays in Namibia
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are welcome.
- Property’s age restrictions
- None
- Special activities & services
- None
- Equipment
- Cots can be provided on request.
- Generally recommended for children
- There is not a lot to keep children entertained at Desert Homestead Outpost, and given the layout and generally adult feel of the lodge, we think that children would feel out of place here.
- Notes
- The pool is unfenced and unguarded so children should be supervised by their parents at all times. There is also a considerable drop from the terraces of the stilted houses.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Namib Outpost
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Namib Outpost 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.
89% success
22% success
11% success
11% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is also a generator as a back up.
- Communications
- There is cellphone reception here and free WiFi is available in the main areas.
- TV & radio
- None
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- All the bathrooms include flush toilets and plumbed-in solar-heated showers.
Sustainability
Partnerships that support children’s education
Comprising of 12 guest houses, Namib Outpost boasts incredible views of wide open plains of the remote Sossusvlei, in Southern Namib. The team at Namib Outpost strictly adheres to eco-friendly principles by making a constant effort to increase the environmental awareness of visitors and locals alike. For example, the Outpost is trying to keep its environmental impact as minimal as possible by using solar power as the main source of electrcity. The lodge’s own solar farm not only provides guests with all necessary comforts such as air conditioning and hot water, but it is also used to provide electricity for the employees’ accommodation and the hot air balloon base.
The team at Namib Outpost is also aiming to foster a mutually beneficial partnership with the local community. Apart from providing various authentic activities around the lodge such as horseback safaris and cultural safari, a highlight of each visitor of the Outpost is the possibility of going on a hot air balloon ride. This is offered by Namib Sky Balloon Safaris who has recently established the Namib Sky Community Foundation with a mission to provide access to education for disadvantaged children in the local community of Sossusvlei. Therefore, by taking the trip, guests can not only see a spectacular sunrise across UNESCO’s world heritage site ‘Namib Sand Sea’, but are also supporting a local Early Childhood Development centre and a lower primary school.
See more great sustainability projects in Namibia
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- No
- Medical care
- The nearest clinic is in Sesriem. In an emergency, patients would be airlifted to Windhoek.
- Dangerous animals
- Moderate Risk
- Security measures
- The lodge managers live on site, and each house has a foghorn to raise the alarm in case of emergency.
- Fire safety
- Fire extinguishers are placed in every house.
Activities
4WD Safari
Fly-camping
Helicopter
Horse-riding
Hot air ballooning
Quad-biking
Sleeping under the stars
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Small items can be washed on request but there is a limited supply of water in this area so guests are discouraged from submitting large quantities of laundry.
- Money
- There is a small digital safe in each house.
- Accepted payment on location
- Payments may be made in Namibian dollars and South African rand cash, and by Visa and Mastercard.
Other lodges in Namib-Naukluft National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Kulala Desert Lodge
The comfortable Kulala Desert Lodge offers fantastic views of the Namib and a private gate to the Namib-Naukluft Park - a bonus on guided excursions.
Hoodia Desert Lodge
The owner-run Hoodia Desert Lodge offers a high standard of accommodation, delicious food and excellent service in a stunning, peaceful setting just 22km from Sesriem.
BullsPort Lodge & Farm
A traditional Namibian farm, BullsPort offers warm hospitality and a genuine rural experience, with excellent hiking and horseriding.
Sossus Dune Lodge
One of only two properties inside the Namib Naukluft Park, Sossus Dune Lodge has a superb location, for visiting the dunes.
Desert Homestead
With great-value accommodation in a lovely setting, Desert Homestead is a great base for exploring Sossusvlei.
Zebra River Lodge
Zebra River Lodge offers a range of hikes around the Tsaris Mountains from a comfortable and homely base.
Little Kulala
A high-end lodge with spectacular views, Little Kulala, makes a great base for visits to Sossusvlei or a balloon ride over the Desert.
Rostock Ritz
The igloo-style chalets at Rostock Ritz offer exceptional desert views and make a convenient stopover between Swakopmund & Sossusvlei.
Barkhan Dune Retreat
Barkhan Dune Retreat is a welcoming lodge close to the impressive Spreetshoogte Pass, majors on hiking and relaxation.
Sossusvlei Lodge
Sossusvlei Lodge is one of the larger options in this area. However, it occupies a convenient location next to the Sesriem gate into the Namib-Naukluft Park.
Dead Valley Lodge
Dead Valley Lodge is inside the Namib-Naukluft National Park, affording guests almost unprecedented access to the dunes.
Desert Camp
Desert Camp is an economical option for independent travellers who want to self-cater, and is well situated for access to Sossusvlei.
Desert Quiver Camp
Desert Quiver Camp is an economical option self-catering, well located for access to Sossusvlei.
Elegant Desert Lodge
Elegant Desert Lodge can be used as a base to visit Sossusvlei. It offers comfortable accommodation and facilities in the desert.
Corona Guest Farm
In central Namibia, north-east of the Namib-Naukluft, Corona Guest Farm offers a traditional farm stay and rugged hiking.
Namib Desert Lodge
Namib Desert Lodge is a good budget option in the Namib-Naukluft although, it is further from Sossusvlei than we'd typically suggest.
Sonop
Away from the hustle and bustle of the area immediately surrounding Sossussvlei, Sonop offers a luxurious stay in a remote part of the Namib Desert.
Camp Sossus
Camp Sossus is a offers top notch guiding in a remote wilderness area of the Naukluft Mountains with easy access to the famous dunes of Sossusvlei.
Desert Hills Camp
Conveniently located for the renowned dunes of Sossusvlei Desert Hills Glamping Camp offers a simple but comfortable tents in picturesque surroundings.
Le Mirage Lodge
Le Mirage Resort and Spa offers accommodation and a range of massage and beauty treatments in a Moroccan-style building in the desert.
Desert Grace
A stylish offering giving access to the famous dunes in the Namib-Naukluft National Park as well as to activities on a private nature reserve.
The Nest
Designed to emulate the appearance of a sociable weaver nest the opulent Nest at Sossus is arguably the most exclusive private property in the Sossuvlei area.
