Hoodia Desert Lodge

The main lodge has a spacious thatched lounge and bar area, with polished terracotta floors scattered with comfortable couches, and eye-catching local art adding splashes of colour to the natural stone walls. An airy restaurant – its central fireplace doubling as a barbecue in summer – opens onto a raised wooden terrace overlooking the riverbed and surrounding desert. A short timber walkway leads to the swimming pool and sundeck sculpted into natural rock.

Eleven thatch and canvas twin-bedded chalets are strung out in a row below the main lodge, with plenty of space between each one ensuring privacy and fantastic views of the mountains or riverbed from the shaded deck. All have an en-suite bathroom, with indoor and outdoor showers and an open-air bath for a special experience. Decor is simple and features earthy tones, with crisp white linens, swathes of mosquito net and colourful scatter cushions adding a touch of understated luxury.

The lodge is an easy 22-kilometre drive to Sesriem, the gateway to Sossusvlei, with excursions into the surrounding dune fields being the most popular activity. Guided tours are offered, and picnic lunches can be requested if you prefer to head out and explore the desert at your own pace. The Namib-Naukluft Mountains offer some superb hiking opportunities. Nature drives, horse riding and guided walks can also be arranged, together with hot air ballooning and scenic helicopter flights.