Hoanib Valley Camp

There’s something about this part of Namibia that leaves a mark. Maybe it’s the silence. Maybe it’s the way the mountains rise straight out of the sand, or the dry riverbeds that suddenly come to life with elephant tracks and giraffe prints, the only other place Will can think to liken it to is Svalbard, where sea meets snow covered slopes in the same way sand meets mountains here. Hoanib Valley Camp is tucked into a curve of the valley, surrounded by shifting desert and the occasional passing oryx. With just six canvas-and-wood tents, it stays small, light, and low-impact. The design is thoughtful; comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms, a private shaded deck, but it’s the view that draws your eye every time. Game drives explore the Hoanib River and surrounding plains, often revealing desert-adapted lions, elephant, and giraffe. For something slower, guided walks open your eyes to the smaller patterns of this landscape. You can also visit nearby Himba communities - one of the last truly semi-nomadic cultures in Africa. Will recommends combining it with Shipwreck Lodge for a journey that traces the edge of the wild, from the mountains to the sea.