five new luxe lodges will be putting the country on the radar

Namibia, following in the rise of Rwanda and Zambia, is in the early stages of becoming the continent’s next big thing. The southwestern coastal African country is sparsely populated by people (it boasts the second-lowest population density in the world), but has plenty of sand in its dunes, world-class surf on its shores, and cheetahs, rhinoceros, and giraffes in its vast savannahs. A significant 42 percent of the country is actually protected wilderness, affording travellers unparalleled access to the country’s stark, untouched landscapes and wildlife. And while all of this has made Namibia a hotspot for intrepid travelers looking to head off the beaten safari path — this year, a pack of luxe new lodges will make the country’s rugged landscapes just a little bit more accessible.

This fall will see the re-invention of Serra Cafema, one of the most remote camps in southern Africa. It is currently being rebuilt to be 100 percent solar-powered, and when it reopens this year it will be in even better company, with four more five-star boltholes debuting before the end of 2018. Read on to discover the diverse, intimate offerings coming to the stunning country this year — all of which will have you adding Namibia to your next itinerary.

Hoanib Valley Camp
Location: Kaokoland
Opening: May 2018
A joint venture between Natural Selection, the local communities in the remote northwest of Namibia, and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the refined Hoanib Valley Camp is perched on the banks of the Obias River. The intimate camp overlooks the Palmwag Consession and the Hoanib River — a favorite spot for foraging elephants. Desert-adapted lions and black rhinos can also be tracked from the camp, where six tents outfitted with large bamboo decks blend into the natural ochre-hued environment. Inside, the tents feature locally sourced materials and furnishings, including pieces carved by local Himba people and baskets woven from the Omba Project in Windhoek, a village about seven hours south of Kaokoland. When they are not out on game drives, guests can spend their days alongside the dedicated team of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, accompanying research teams in the field to learn about the elegant endangered species.

Shipwreck Lodge
Location: Skeleton Coast National Park
Opening: June 2018
Namibia’s Skeleton Coast is infamous for the many shipwrecks and bleached whale and seal bones lining its expansive, wild shores. Mimicking its surroundings almost perfectly is Shipwreck Lodge, a dramatic, 10-room camp constructed using sustainably sourced timber and rope to look just like relics of ancient ships washed ashore. Inside, bohemian décor and wood-burning stoves keep things cozy while a wraparound deck off lounge and restaurant gives 360-degree views of the dunes and Atlantic Ocean. But as photogenic as the lodgings will surely be at the Natural Selection camp, the real attraction is what’s around them — specifically the desert elephant, desert giraffe, the Hartmann’s mountain zebra and lions. Game drives are a given, and there are 4×4 excursions also on offer to the Clay Castles, shipwreck remnants, the Hoanib River, and a nearby seal colony. The truly brave can hit water, as the same wild waves that gave the region its name have also made it a surfing hotspot.

Omaanda
Location: Namibian plains
Opening: July 2018
Omaanda’s name is the Oshivambo word for rhinoceros, so it’s not hard to imagine what one might find at the 10-hut camp set in the heart of a private animal reserve in the Namibian plains. In fact, there’s a hospital for injured or abandoned rhinos and elephants (funded by the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, to boot) in the center of the reserve’s 22,000 acres. Designed by Geraldine Dohogne, each room features rounded walls inspired by the local Ovambo architecture and has been built using natural clay atop a sandbag structure that speaks to ancestral techniques used in the area. Inside, each of the surprisingly airy huts is finished with a thatched roof and antique Namibian and African pieces. Safari excursions throughout the park aren’t all that’s on offer: There is also a heated swimming pool overlooking the savannah and spa with a pair of double treatment rooms for extreme relaxation, too.

Serra Cafema
Location: Hartmann’s Valley
Reopening: September 2018
Nestled into the red dunes of Hartmann’s Valley, the existing Serra Cafema closed late last year for a total rethink and rebuild, which includes a transition to 100 percent solar power when the Wilderness Safaris Classic Camp  reopens in September. Located in the extreme northwest of Namibia on the banks of the Kunene River (one of only two perennial rivers in the country), the camp’s brand of rustic luxury draws inspiration from the semi-nomadic Himba people indigenous to the ultra-remote area. Windhoek-based architects and designers are spearheading the redo, which emulates the layout of a traditional Himba village down to hut-like guest rooms connected by walkways and sunken seating areas. Luxe details like canopied beds and outdoor showers will keep Serra Cafema feeling lush, and each tent’s private deck will be ideal for taking in the dense, star-studded night sky. Furniture by local Namibian company Katutura is featured throughout, as are dining tables built by young craftsmen at Tabled, a social enterprise giving orphans training in furniture design and craft.

Sonop
Location: Namib Desert
Opening: December 2018
Zannier Hotels, the developer behind Omaanda, also plans to debut the serene Sonop before the year ends. The camp will feature some 10 luxury tents perched atop a grouping of boulders in the midst of the Namibian Desert, with breezy interiors that harken back to the time of British colonialism. Slated to open in December, it will add another option for travelers seeking peaceful rest and wildlife observation opportunities, and is an hour and a half flight from sister property Omaanda.