Written by Daryll Williams

Namibia is an other-worldly destination that beckons those looking to disconnect from their digital devices and experience true isolation. The country’s off-the-grid luxury lodges, vast landscapes and natural beauty offer the perfect escape after being cooped up indoors. 

We’ll be the first to admit we have a penchant for high-design safari lodges. And with so much to do and see, planning a trip to Namibia can be daunting, that’s why we’ve created a list of the 7 most luxurious lodges in Namibia.

1. Shipwreck Lodge

Located in the famous Skeleton Coast National Park between the Hoarusib and Hoanib rivers, Shipwreck Lodge with its pristine, untouched surrounding will take your breath away. Its atmosphere is shrouded in mystery, largely due to the dense coastal fog and cold sea breezes caused by the Benguela ocean current from the arctic, and the bones scattered on its beaches from where the park derives its name. The 10 “shipwreck-style” cabins are spread out along the sand dunes with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Why we love it

As the only luxury accommodation in the privately accessed northern part of the national park, Shipwreck Lodge is in a prime position to explore what feels like the end of the earth.

Sustainability

Its exteriors, designed using sustainable materials and construction methods by Namibian architect Nina Maritz, are meant to resemble the famous shipwrecks that can be found along the coast, emphasising a light footprint by operating eco-friendly and using solar power.

2. Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

Sossusvlei Desert Lodge lies in the echoing foothills of the NamibRand Nature Reserve and is the perfect choice for a unique and sophisticated desert experience. Cradled against ancient mountains, the 10 luxurious stone and glass suites follow the contours of the escarpment to ensure absolute privacy.

Why we love it

Bordering a Dark Sky Reserve, the 12.715 ha private concession the lodge occupies will give unparalleled views of the night sky Namibia is famous for. Even your room has a retractable sky roof for you to watch the night sky from the comfort of your bed.

Sustainability

The sustainably built lodge is made of rock, glass and steel to blend in to the harsh, ever-changing landscape. The roofs have also been clad in solar panels, allowing the buildings to harness the harsh natural environment and use the sun to create enough energy to ensure the lodge is entirely self-sustained.

3. Desert Whisper

Desert Whisper is located 60 km north of Sesriem in the Sossusvlei Area. The golden expanse of the Namib extends to the horizon, fringed by the softness of the Naukluft Mountains in the distance and the infinite blue sky above. The single villa, consisting of a spacious single storey suite, is designed as a luxuriously special desert retreat for two.

Why we love it

Privacy and tranquillity characterise the positioning of this exclusive lodge, leaving you alone with the vastity of the Namib Desert.

Sustainability

Sustainability and guest comfort go hand in hand with the sophisticated, environmentally-friendly design, which supports uncompromised luxury in a climate of extremes. There’s also a fully independent solar hot water system and a highly effective greywater recycling system per suite (powered by the solar panels on the roof).

4. Namushasha River Villa

Found floating opposite the Bwabwata National Park, Namushasha River Villa is the ultimate on-the-water accommodation. Double-storied and glassed for spectacular scenery, the 5-star villa has an upstairs bedroom – and en-suite bathroom – with views over the floodplains, and a lounge and fully-equipped kitchen and bar below decks.

Why we love it

This private floating oasis is anchored in its very own, private channel of the Kwando River and overlooks the river surrounds. You’ll also be witness to wildlife who survive off the river’s waters, including big herds of elephant, the water-loving red lechwe, as well as lion, leopard and spotted hyena.

Sustainability

Roughly a decade ago, the Gondwana Collection entered into a joint venture agreement with the Mashi Conservancy. This agreement ensures that a fair share of the financial benefits derived from the operations within the conservancy are channelled through to the community. The community also benefits through employment and sale of goods and services to the local lodge and visiting tourists.

5. Little Ongava

Little Ongava is located on the private Ongava Game Reserve near the southern boundary of Etosha National Park. Here, a beautiful collection of luxury accommodation includes three lodges: Ongava Lodge, Little Ongava Lodge, and Ongava Tented Camp. Each offers the traveler a unique perspective of this game-rich region and all three are perfectly luxurious and elegant.

Why we love it

Modern, luxurious and comfortable, the accommodations are all exclusive and superb options that border Etosha.

Sustainability

The close link Ongava has with the local communities is seen as vital for the lodge’s sustainable operations. One example of a community partnership the lodge has been contributing to is the support provided to 3 local schools. This is done with the intention of giving school children the chance to acquire skills relevant to uplift local rural communities.

6. Onguma The Fort

Onguma The Fort sits on Etosha National Park's eastern boundary overlooking the impressive Fischer's Pan. The lodge makes a bold architectural statement by resembling a fort, likely inspired by the nearby Fort Namutoni in the park.

Why we love it

The lodge is built in exactly the right spot to give you one of the best sunset views in the whole of Namibia – overlooking the beautiful scarceness of the nearby pan, with its wild animals and hundreds of Camelthorn trees.

Sustainability

The Fort supports the Oshivelo Farming initiative – a local sustainability project founded to create jobs on a large scale for the local Oshivelo community. Other than that, the wine and beer stocked at the lodge are all locally sourced.

7. Little Kulala

Little Kulala is a luxurious desert retreat situated in the private 37.000 ha Kulala Wilderness Reserve – the gateway to Namibia’s Sand Sea with its towering dunes and clear starry skies. Accommodation consists of 11 climate-controlled, thatched “kulalas” which merge impeccably into the timeless desert landscape, with exquisite fittings and fixtures, and innovative bleached decks.

Why we love it

Each kulala has a rooftop sky-bed for romantic stargazing, with both indoor and outdoor showers.

Sustainability

Being situated in a water-stressed area, every effort to conserve water has been made by using water-efficient devices in the camp. Energy-efficient lights and inverter air-conditioning units are used to consume less power than conventional lights and units.

Experience Namibia’s unique blend of eco-luxury

With Viatu, you can book your trip throughout Namibia and mix and match any of the aforementioned lodges through our travel platform.

Known for its stark landscapes, arid deserts and plentiful wildlife, Namibia is the ideal spot for the getaway of your dreams. Just head over to viatu.com to enquire.