Perched in a wide grassy valley and cradled by the dramatic Nubib, Tsaris and Naukluft Mountains, this eclectic lodge proves that getting to know the world's oldest desert is best done at a gentle trot. What sets this place apart from the usual Sossusvlei suspects is its genuine farm-style hospitality and those famously excellent horse trails that have guests returning year after year. The fact that the profits of both lodges in the Namib Tsaris Nature Reserve, Desert Homestead Lodge and Namib Outpost, are fully set aside for the conservation of this area means every sundowner you sip is also a toast to protecting one of Africa's most extraordinary landscapes.
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The main building is a contemporary take on a stud farmer's manor house. Comfortable and airy, the open-plan guest areas contain a spacious lounge and cosy library, bar and dining room where a roaring fireplace keeps the desert chill at bay as you tuck into hearty, farm-to-table cooking. The wraparound veranda is where the magic happens – settle into one of the leather sofas with a local wine and watch the light play across those impossibly wide horizons. The swimming pools provide languid refreshment after a hot day's riding, surrounded by mini bomas where you can just chill.
Twenty-six thatched cottages dot the property, each conveying that quintessential African farmhouse charm with their whitewashed walls and dark wood furniture. The thatched chalets are tastefully decorated and feature double or twin beds, and an en-suite bathroom. Every one comes with its own private terrace where you can watch the sunrise paint the Totterkaum Mountains in shades of coral and gold. Aircon and water heaters run on solar energy, a part of the lodge's admirably green credentials.
Horse riding is the star of the show here, and rightly so. Guided rides are offered at sunrise and sunset, when you're likely to spot oryx, springbok, zebra, jackals and bat-eared foxes. For more experienced riders, multi-day expeditions where you camp under the stars are available. The lodge is just 30 minutes from Sesriem Gate for early morning Sossusvlei excursions. There's also hiking right from the lodge itself, quad biking for those seeking an adrenaline hit, and excellent birdwatching opportunities. Hot air balloon rides over the endless Namib will render you speechless.
The sunrise horse rides across seemingly endless plains where oryx, springbok and zebra graze just metres away – it's the kind of experience that makes you wonder why you ever bothered with game drives.
Request one of the rooms facing the Totterkaum Mountains for the best views, and don't miss the afternoon cake ritual – freshly baked treats appear at teatime like clockwork, and they're rather moreish.
The lodge does overlook the main road in an otherwise pristine landscape, and those solar power quirks mean you'll need to request a flask of boiling water for morning tea rather than just flicking a kettle switch.
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11 nights from $7K per person
9 nights from $8.7K per person
6 nights from $7.1K per person
8 nights from $6.4K per person
Desert Homestead Lodge can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Namibia trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Namibia trips featuring Desert Homestead Lodge or get advice and suggestions from one of our Namibia specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Desert Homestead Lodge start from around $150, or US$150, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
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