Damara Mopane Lodge

Sundowners are served on the viewing platform that lies 300 metres uphill from the lodge (possibly a little difficult for those who are infirm). Once reached though, the platform is splendid, with wide sunset views and drinks of your choice. Then head downhill for a really good meal made from the freshest ingredients and vegetables from the gardens. Drawings on the lodge walls replicate the rock engravings at nearby Twyfelfontein. There's a large pool for cooling off after a drive.

Paths lead from the main area to the 60 air-conditioned chalets, their gardens unexpectedly flourishing in this dry environment. The interiors are roomy and simply but comfortably decorated in shades of the mopane tree, with en-suite bathrooms and private verandas on which to sit and enjoy the garden and scrubby view beyond. There is no internet reception.

The lodge is the perfect base for excursions to the intriguing 2000-million-year-old Petrified Forest (70 km), Vingerklip (Finger Rock) (50 km) and Twyfelfontein (130 km), a World Heritage Site where Namibia‘s original inhabitants carved animals and mysterious symbols into the reddish-brown sandstone. Most of the images portray rhino, but there are also illustrations of elephant, ostrich, giraffe and humans. Many date back some 2000 years. The basalt Organ Pipes are lovely natural work of art. Explore the Valley Walking Trail with a guide.