Explore Namibia from its Luxury Lodges

So what is it about this place that has attracted a discerning and ever increasing number of international travelers? What draws them away from the iconic landmarks and celebrated attractions of its continental counterparts? Hidden behind a veil of relative anonymity and obscurity Namibia is a country of incredible beauty and diversity. This is a place known as 'the land of contrasts' and if one takes the time to explore the sheer scope of its nature, its culture and its heritage they will soon discover that this is a title well deserved.

As the 34th largest country on Earth, Namibia is certainly not lacking in size although embracing all that the area has to offer can become somewhat of a challenge. One of the best ways to travel across the country is via light aircraft on a so-called fly in safari; avoiding the scenic but rather lengthy drives along the meandering desert roads.

A fly in safari allows visitors to negotiate large distances in a relatively short period of time allowing them to appreciate the wondrous and multifaceted geography of Namibia within the confines of a single trip. Soaring above the clouds on a private domestic charter is certainly a much more relaxing and effortless way to navigate Namibia's changeable landscape and also permits access to the more remote areas of the country such as the famous Skeleton Coast or the ethereal Sossusvlei sand dunes.

Hotel Heinitzberg

As home to the only international airport Windhoek is the first port of call for most travelers to Namibia arriving from outside of Africa. This small but lively city offers an insight into the eclectic cultural mix that underpins modern Namibia. Despite being the commercial and administrative hub of the country you shouldn't come expecting the hustle and bustle of a larger metropolis; this is a modestly sized city with a strong sense of community at its heart. Although many may be encouraged to treat Windhoek as a simple way-station a day to explore the sights, relax and sample some local cuisine is certainly a rewarding endeavor. Local luxury accommodation includes the glamorous Hotel Heinitzberg; a castle constructed at the turn of the 20th century by a German count to honour his fiancée; it offers superb service and panoramic views ove the city from its lofty vantage. The property provides numerous activities including golf, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing and sightseeing tours of the capital.

From Windhoek most itineraries will see visitors travel west, either north towards the historical Damaraland or south to explore the striking Sossusvlei region. Around and hour and a half away by air, Sossusvlei is an ancient salt and clay pan where the contrasting mineral properties of the earth have produced rather spectacular natural formations. The area is most famous for its huge sand dunes including the aptly named 'Big Daddy', standing at over 320 metres high. The nearby landscape of Deadvlei is perhaps one of the most instantly recognisable sights in Africa; a bizarre place that has featured in numerous music videos and Hollywood blockbusters. The cracked white clay basin is abbreviated here and there by scorched black trees, long since expired but that still stand as a reminder of the waterway that once quenched the basin. Juxtaposed against this monochromatic scene are the inimitable burning orange dunes that stretch hundreds of metres into the sky; a truly bewildering spectacle.

Desert Landscape

As one of Namibia's premier tourist sites Sossusvlei boasts many of the most luxurious lodges and retreats in the country. Hidden away these properties provide peerless privacy and intimacy but with all of the comforts and qualities one might associate with a high rise metropolitan hotel. Particularly impressive is Little Kulala, a luxury community set within the 37,000-hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve. Eleven luxury kulalas (thatched traditional chalets) have been beautifully crafted and appointed to make a guest's stay as comfortable as possible and the climate controlled rooms are particularly welcome in the hot summer months.

A trip to Namibia certainly would not be complete without exploring the rugged and rather humbling Skeleton Coast. Situated north of the coastal resort towns of Swakupmond and Walvis Bay, the Skeleton Coast is one of the most remote but spectacular areas of Southern Africa. Seemingly stretching for an eternity these vast sands have become a graveyard to cargo ships that have over the years succumbed to the mist and strong currents of the Atlantic. Their haunting metallic carcasses as well as the skeletons of a number of beached whales litter the shores, gifting the area its rather morbid title. The waters of the Kunene River that thread the hills of the nearby Hartmann Valley nurture a comparatively verdant landscape of scrubland and forest. The Serra Cafema Lodge ensures intimacy and opulence while embracing the dramatic settings with its 8 canvas and thatched chalets; featuring stunning en suite bathrooms and spacious sun decks. The resort offers guided walks; quad bike tours, local village excursions and boat cruises down the picturesque Kunene - a truly relaxing way to explore the region.

Little Kulala

Perhaps when one considers Southern Africa you might at first envisage the prowling packs of lions, herds of traipsing elephant and solitary slinking leopards that have become so emblematic of an African safari. Although Namibia is not as abundant with large mammals as the reserves of South Africa the Etosha National Park is still a worthy rival for any conservancy in Africa. Less crowded and unfettered there is a more natural and free sense to the area than many other national parks. Etosha is dominated by a large salt pan that functions as a seasonal water source for numerous different animal species including elephants, several buck species, giraffe, endangered black rhino, lions, the occasional cheetah and leopard and the endemic black faced impala. The wildlife on show in Etosha is a particular draw for tourists and like in Sossusvlei a small handful of ecologically conscious and luxurious lodges have since been established. Epacha Game Lodge, Little Ongava and Villa Mushara are all excellent properties promising space, comfort and quality service set within a truly inspiring backdrop.

This is a country rich with history and abundant in nature; a place undiluted by commercialism and still undiscovered by many. Adventure, secluded luxury and striking beauty await you in the land of the burning sands; the land of hidden depths; the land of contrasts, Namibia.

For more information: Namibia Safaris