Rock Hare Self-drive Safari: Day-by-day

Contemporary décor blends with homely touches to create Villa Violet’s calm yet welcoming environment. It may be just five minutes’ drive from the centre of Windhoek, yet Villa Violet couldn’t be more convenient for exploring the Namibian capital. On the other hand, its setting, in the quiet suburb of Klein Windhoek, feels far from any metropolis – even one as small as Windhoek!

Small, personal and owner-run, the guesthouse has just five air-conditioned bedrooms, each opening onto a paved patio where wooden sunloungers sit invitingly beneath coloured umbrellas. A small pool beckons the weary traveller after a hot day, or a long flight, while plenty of greenery softens the landscaping.

Inside, all is calm and cool, soft grey and green paintwork lifted by the occasional splash of colour.

A warm lounge makes you want to snuggle up with a book from the shelves – perhaps with a drink from the honesty bar, or a coffee and homemade biscuits, which are on hand throughout the day.

"a charming place"

Mr WfromLincolnshire

Arrived 8 Aug 2024, 1 night

Each morning, a substantial breakfast buffet is laid out in the dining room, whose patio doors bring the outside in. For other meals, you could take advantage of the open-plan kitchen and barbecue, but why not explore Windhoek’s restaurant scene? There’s plenty of choice right on your doorstep. See our full report on Villa Violet

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.

"Everything perfect."

Mr LfromLeicestershire

Arrived 16 Sep 2019, 1 night

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. See our full report on Namib Outpost

Small, friendly and particularly personable, Cornerstone has a welcoming feel that makes you feel instantly at home. It’s also in a near-perfect location: close to the heart of Swakopmund, yet just a short walk to the ocean, and barely more than that to the fringing sands of the Namib Desert. After a long drive or a busy safari, this owner-run bed and breakfast is an ideal spot to catch your breath.

Set yourself up for the day in the large, bright breakfast room, where a substantial buffet is matched by home-cooked bacon and eggs. Enjoy a freshly brewed coffee or tea against a background of soft music, or rummage through the selection of books about Namibia before setting off to explore.

Swakopmund itself has cafés, shops, museums and restaurants aplenty – all within easy walking distance of Cornerstone. Just a little further afield you could take a guided trip into the desert, head south to the lagoon at Walvis Bay, or challenge yourself to one of the local adrenalin activities.

"The guest house was well managed"

Mr & Mrs H fromLeicester

Arrived 16 Sep 2024, 3 nights

Returning to your comfortable room in the afternoon, a powerful shower awaits, as does a private patio set with a table and chairs – or you could wander round the attractive gardens. Then all you need to do is decide where to have dinner – perhaps over a refreshing cool drink. See our full report on Cornerstone 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.

"This really was little slice of paradise."

Mr & Mrs H fromLeicester

Arrived 19 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

Stunning views over the plains of its own private reserve set the scene at the smart Ongava Lodge. And if the view is superb, so is the wildlife – perhaps to be expected in such close proximity to Etosha National Park.

With plains game aplenty on the reserve, predators are rarely far behind, but pride of place goes to both black and white rhino. Spotting these primeval giants from a game-drive 4WD is exciting in itself, but to approach white rhino on foot is an opportunity not to be missed.

Back at the lodge, every area maximises the views – and the wildlife. In the spacious, air-conditioned chalets, floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a veranda that overlooks the plains. At the hub of the camp, an attractive dining terrace looks down onto a floodlit waterhole. And a strategically placed hide allows you to get even closer to the animals.

"We loved Ongava"

BarnesfromHampshire

Arrived 13 Sep 2024, 2 nights

In this exclusive setting, comfort is the watchword. Wander down to the pool for a cooling afternoon dip, or freshen up before dinner in your open-air shower. Then order a drink at the bar, and take in the Namibian night sky from the terrace. Or, come the cooler evenings, cosy down around a wood fire with a book from the library. And if you’re lucky enough to spot rhino at the waterhole, that’s a further bonus. See our full report on Ongava Lodge

A luxurious retreat on a private reserve, Mushara Outpost is just a short hop from Namibia’s flagship national park. And what a retreat! With just eight rooms, a dining table that oozes grandeur and a very smart swimming pool, it's both intimate and classy.

Tented rooms at Outpost feel more like substantial chalets, their polished floors mirroring solid wooden frames, their air conditioning mitigating the extremes of Namibia's climate.

Neutral décor creates an airy feel, while full-length white curtains frame glass picture windows and doors with views over the reserve – views shared by a glass-walled shower and a spacious raised deck.

Spectacular monochrome photos set the tone in the main area, whose leather chairs, quirky light fittings and wraparound veranda take the so-called “farmhouse” style to a whole new level.

Adding to the sense of relaxation are mature trees in well-tended gardens which in turn attract the birds. For a closer look, though, head for the small hide and settle back in comfort with a pair of binoculars, and perhaps a drink.

"enjoyed our stay - friendly and helpful Staff - Service was good and efficient."

Mr & Mrs BfromLondon

Arrived 29 Jun 2024, 2 nights

Yet for all the style, the key to Outpost is its location: just 10km from the eastern gate into Etosha. It's easy to drive yourself, but consider, too, the option of an organised game drive, with a knowledgeable guide to seek out the best sightings. See our full report on Mushara Outpost

Situated on the banks of the Kavango River, Hakusembe River Lodge is a substantial but established lodge, which has been extended in recent years. It's a peaceful spot, about 12km west of the town of Rundu at the gateway to Namibia’s Caprivi Strip (or Zambezi Region). The lodge is set in lovely well-kept gardens, with roses and other colourful flowers planted in lawns that lead down to the river. Ample shade is provided during the heat of the day by acacia trees, beloved of the resident bird population.

"A great place for a stopover ... We enjoyed the river cruise."

Mr & Mrs BfromAvon

Arrived 14 Sep 2024, 1 night

Hakusembe River Lodge is in a fantastic location and setting. Despite its size it serves as a good-value and relaxing staging platform for a trip along the Caprivi Strip. It would also be a good base for keen anglers. See our full report on Hakusembe River Lodge

Floating down the narrow, lily-strewn channels that surround Nxamaseri offers a truly tranquil perspective on the Okavango. As your boat glides up to Nxamaseri's wooden jetty, the lodge's island location comes into its own. Cast away for the duration of your stay, you'll be welcomed and looked after by staff drawn largely from the local community.

Spacious chalets of wood and canvas nestle into the thick riverine vegetation, most high enough to look over the water from their wooden decks and semi-open bedrooms – and deliciously cool even in the heat of the day.

Sharing that perspective are a comfortable lounge with handcrafted furniture, a solid communal dining table, and a firepit where guests gather to discuss the day's adventures.

Nxamaseri was founded as a fishing lodge, and remains a superb spot for both experienced anglers and those just wanting to have a go – in the expert hands of guides who have grown up around these waters.

Come, too, for the birds – the resident waterbirds, the occasional rarity such as the slaty egret or African skimmer, and those that flock here on migration, including the spectacular carmine bee-eater.

"The staff are wonderful and made it a few days to remember."

Alex fromAlgarve

Arrived 24 May 2023, 3 nights

But most of all, come for the setting – both the river itself, and the nearby Tsodilo Hills, whose ancient rock art reflects a culture whose influence continues down the years. See our full report on Nxamaseri Lodge

Opened in July 2016, Shametu River Lodge is 7km south west of Divundu, in Namibia's central Caprivi. Built on the banks of the Kavango River, it affords the best views of Popa Rapids of any privately owned lodge in the area. Guests staying here can enjoy the river, game drives into the Bwabwata and Mahango national parks, and village visits.

"Our tent had a great position on the river ..."

Mr & Mrs RfromAberdeen

Arrived 27 Sep 2018, 2 nights

Shametu River Lodge is a relatively new addition to the lodges in the Divundu area and we would very much liked to have stayed longer than one night. Not only does it have a picturesque location close to Popa Falls, but it also offers convenient access to the nearby national parks and activities on the Kavango River. See our full report on Shametu River Lodge

Kazile Island Lodge is set on the private Kazile Island within Bwabwata National Park, in Namibia’s Zambezi Region (formerly called the Caprivi Strip). Opened in early 2017, it is set amid mangosteen forest on a private island on the banks of the Kwando River.

"Guide was good... lots of elephants"

JohnfromBraintree

Arrived 2 Jun 2022, 2 nights

Although Kazile Island Lodge was only newly completed when we visited, we thought that it had quite a homely feel. We can envisage enjoyable evenings spent chatting around the campfire to the background murmurings of the Kwando River. The lodge offers a perfectly comfortable and stylish alternative to its sister camps, in a similar location and with the same activities. If anything, as Kazile is situated on its own private island and accessible only by boat, it feels the more remote of the three. See our full report on Kazile Island Lodge

A riot of lush foliage frames the entrance to the Chobe River Lodge, hinting at the far-from-corporate guesthouse within. Indeed, this attractive thatched building has more in common with a safari lodge than with Kasane’s large hotels. Quietly secluded within beautiful gardens, it’s an uncomplicated set up matched by personal service and a friendly touch that is often missing from the larger establishments.

For starters, guests dine together at one big communal table, overlooking lawns that lead down to the Chobe River. And these, in turn, are beloved of the local hippos, who sometimes turn up to graze at nightfall.

Then at the heart of the lodge, a proper pool takes up one side of the the lofty lounge area, open to the sky, and lined by welcoming sunloungers. And the verandah, invites guests to settle down with a pair of binoculars and watch the river.

And so to the rooms: comfortable beds, unfussy décor, tiled floors, en-suite bathrooms, individual verandas. The feel is homely yet uncluttered.

"...game drive in Chobe..was excellent ...evening river cruise.. guide..brilliant"

Ms J.fromNorthallerton

Arrived 3 Jul 2023, 2 nights

It all adds up to a welcoming place to while away the time between activities: game drives into Chobe National Park are operated by the lodge itself, as are boat cruises from its own jetty. See our full report on Chobe River Lodge

A leisurely half-hour walk from the charming gardens of Batonka brings you face to face with the magnificent Victoria Falls. It’s the perfect way to approach the UNESCO World Heritage Site, but if you prefer, you can always hop in a taxi for the five-minute transfer.

As if to mirror the surroundings, the colonial style of Batonka’s buildings, with their shaded verandas and overhead fans, exudes an air of relaxation that permeates throughout.

Overlooking the gardens, or the enticing curved swimming pool, the 27 well-appointed rooms are fronted by private balconies. Air conditioning complements the cool tiles under foot; king-size beds draped in mosquito netting add a touch of elegance to the contemporary furnishings.

In the warmth of summer, settle down for breakfast or an à la carte meal on the terrace, where wrought-iron chairs come into their own, while for cooler evenings the dark wood tables and smartly upholstered seating in the restaurant present an altogether more formal appeal.

"A beautiful lodge.. The rooms are large, airy & comfortable.. food good.."

Mr. & Mrs. EfromUK

Arrived 7 Nov 2023, 1 night

And to ensure that colder nights don’t confine you indoors, there’s an outside lounge area where you can sit with a drink by an open fire, mulling over your holiday – or looking forward to the days ahead. See our full report on Batonka Guest Lodge