Our Top Ten Lodges in Namibia

It’s our 30th birthday this year (Cedarberg Africa’s, not mine, sadly). And so my mind cannot help going back to comparing then with now. I did a trip around Namibia with my husband in 1994, just before we started our company in 1995. We were bowled over by the country: the landscapes, the diversity, and the desert-adapted wildlife. 

But we were less enamoured with the lodges in Namibia. Lots of modest guest farms with functional rooms and homely country cooking. We loved the country almost despite its modest accommodation. 

The Evolution of Luxury Namibia Lodges 

How much has changed since then! With the biggest changes happening in the last ten years. Now the best of Namibia’s lodges can easily hold their own against the top lodges in South Africa. Botswana and the rest of Africa. Then the ‘smartest’ place we stayed at was the Ongava Lodge, which still has an epic location. But now it has been ‘overtaken’ by its sister lodges, Little Ongava and Anderssons@Ongava. 

So below we give our personal take on the top 10 lodges in Namibia. These include some of the most luxurious (and pricey), whilst others are some of our personal favourites offering exceptional value and unique experiences. 

Note: We had to leave out several superb Namibian lodges due to space constraints. So check out our “Honourable Mentions” as well. 

The Ultimate Guide to Namibia’s Top Ten Luxury Lodges:  

1. Kwessi Dunes – Desert Gem Hospitality

Why we love this Namibia lodge: 

• Superb setting overlooking Sentinel mountain 

• Talented team – friendly and welcoming 

• Spacious accommodation 

• Really good mix of activities from adventurous to more cultural 

We arrived as the sun was setting and so we could enjoy its extraordinary mountain backdrop to the max, with the Sentinel mountain lit up in reddish hues with the evening sun. 

For me,  Kwessi Dunes had a winning combination of setting, great activities, warm and friendly hospitality combined with well above-average accommodation. 

Kwessi Dunes is in the northern Namib Rand, so it is a good hour from Sesriem gate. As such they offer the Sossusvlei excursion if you stay three nights. As the Namib Rand is so spectacular with nature drives, quad biking, and bushmen-guided rock art tours on offer.  

Tips for staying at this Namibia lodge: We strongly recommend a three night stay so that you can enjoy both the Namib-Rand Nature Reserve and the Sossusvlei areas. 

2. Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge – Minimalist Luxury 

Why we love this Namibia lodge: 

• Awe-inspiring setting 

• One of the nicest suites on our trip 

This is the smartest place to stay in the Sossusvlei/Namib Rand area. As far as top ten lodges in Namibia go, this one is a luxurious escape into the wild.

The view is simply magnificent — stark and awe-inspiring. The main lodge has a wall of glass so that you can enjoy those views whether it’s too hot outside or indeed on a winter’s afternoon as the sun sets and desert cool nights set in. 

The suites are superb with an expansive bedroom leading out to a large deck with its own swimming pool. 

Note: The pool is not heated and so most people would find it too cold for swimming in the winter months. 

3. Namib Outpost – Desert Tranquillity

Why we love this Namibia lodge: 

• Peaceful oasis in the Namib Desert wilderness 

• Stylish suites with plunge pools 

• Easy Sossusvlei access 

Namib Outpost is a tranquil retreat in a private reserve near to the dunes of  Sossusvlei. The suite’s plunge pool and deck are a haven, and the early morning dune trips are effortless thanks to the location. Warm staff and starry dinners make it special. 

4. Reverie Kalahari Pod – Private Kalahari Skies 

Why we love this Namibia lodge: 

• Your own private oasis 

• Fully Inclusive with a range of activities tailored to you 

• Enjoy the magnificent starry skies from your own starlit dream bed 

The Reverie luxurious pod , which consists of three spacious single-storey dome-like structures, offers an open-plan dining and lounge area; a free-flowing en suite bedroom with balcony and an outdoor area a private plunge pool, overnight dream area, and firepit. 

The Reverie is one of several uber-private ‘pods’ offered in select locations around Namibia. Others include Desert Whisper Pod near Sesriem in the Namib Desert; The Pearls Beach Pod at Swakopmund, Ekipa Etosha Pod just south of central Etosha and Namushaha River Villa Pod in the Caprivi Strip. 

5. Mowani Mountain Camp – Romance Incarnate

Why we love this Namibia lodge: 

• Very romantic 

• Superb setting 

• Tracking desert elephants 

Sometimes the original is the best. Mowani has a magical location overlooking the rocky mountains of Damaraland, close to Twyfelfontein rock engravings. 

The suites are divided into view and non-view tents, but they all have wonderful views, so the only difference is in the elevation. The Luxury Suite has its own pool and is closer to the main area if walking up slightly rocky paths is not your thing. Personally, I’d splurge on the Mini-Suite if you want to go big. 

Activities at this Namibia lodge: We strongly recommend two nights so that you can try to track the desert elephants in the morning (could be 4-5 hours). Then you can either visit the Twyfelfontein rock engravings on the afternoon you arrive or on the following afternoon. 

6. Anderssons@Ongava – Contemporary Luxury

Why we love this Namibia lodge: 

• Exquisite modern suites 

• Sunken hide at eye level to the waterhole 

• Discovery centre is easy walking distance from the lodge 

• Choice of game drives or walks in their own private game reserve or into Etosha 

• Closest lodge to Anderssons Gate so easy access into Etosha National Park if doing a game drive in the park 

This is the newest of the four lodges on Ongava Game Reserve, and the one that I loved the most. The expansive suites are exquisite with beautiful, curved roofs. 

The food was excellent and well-portioned, making for a thoroughly enjoyable dining experience. This one has long been a favorite so its easy to see why it made the list of our top ten ldoges in Namibia

7. Onguma Tented Lodge – Tranquil Elegance 

Why we love this Namibia lodge: 

• Superb setting with vegetation and waterhole 

• Very calm and tranquil ambience, perfect for holidays 

• Exquisite, tented suites with Evening breeze eco-air-conditioning 

• Each suite has a hot tub for the winter which acts as a plunge pool in summer 

• Range of activities on offer at Onguma 

It’s hard to think of anything that we could fault at Onguma Tented Camp. Yes, Camp Kala is the most exclusive and stylish of the Onguma lodges (see next), but Onguma Tented Camp has a wonderful calm ambience which is perfect when you are on a busy Namibian holiday. 

It lies within the heart of Onguma Game Reserve which has open borders with Etosha National Park. So you get the best of both worlds. The up front and personal encounters with a wide variety of predators and game within Onguma, as well as the incredibly diverse wildlife seen at Etosha’s famous waterholes. 

8. Camp Kala at Onguma – Architectural Stunner 

Why we love this Namibia lodge: 

• The most stylish lodge in all of Namibia 

• Innovative architecture around the concept of a termite mound and references to pangolin 

• Stylish interiors 

• Only four suites 

If you love beautiful architecture and interior design, then Camp Kala should definitely be top of your list of places to stay in Namibia. 

There are three other lodges on Onguma Game Reserve. The Fort at Onguma is a comparable price to Onguma Tented Lodge with a Moroccan inspired décor which is utterly unique in Namibia. Some people love to stay at something which is so different from the other Namibian lodges. 

9. Nambwa Tented Lodge – Wildlife Immersion 

Why we love this Namibia lodge: 

• Treetop tents over elephant trails 

• Wildlife-rich Bwabwata National Park 

• Eco-chic design 

They like to say of the Caprivi strip (also known as the Zambezi Region) that its lodges offer the wildlife experience of Botswana but at distinctly better Namibian prices. 

This is never truer than at Nambwa Tented Camp in the Bwabwata Game Reserve, which is across the Kwando River from the Linyanti region of Botswana. 

Nambwa’s elevated tents above the Kwando River floodplains are a thrill—elephants stroll right underneath! The viewing deck is perfect for dining with wildlife sounds, and game drives or boat safaris showcase the Zambezi Region’s lush contrast to the desert. 

From here you can fly back to Windhoek from Katima Mulilo. Or you can continue by transfer into the Chobe region of Botswana and then onto Victoria Falls. Combining some of the top ten lodges in Namibia is easy with a Zimbabwe add-on as both countried offer a wide selection of great accomodation choices.

It is also known for its exceptional community empowerment projects. Stay at least two nights, preferably three! 

10. Okonjima Bush – Conservation with Care 

Why we love this Namibia lodge: 

• Up-close with rescued big cats 

• Spacious, thatched suites 

• Conservation focus 

Halfway between Windhoek and Etosha, Okonjima’s expansive private reserve is home to the AfriCat Foundation. Tracking leopards was unforgettable, and the thatched suites—traditional yet elegant with their own personal tsalas offered true serenity. It’s not the flashiest, but its heart is in conservation and this care and commitment shines through.  

What gets Okonjima Bush Lodge on this list is the intoxicating mix of elegant safari suites with a truly unique set of activities including leopard tracking (with excellent general game including the brown hyena). Or the Endangered species game drive. There are also some specialist activities such as pangolin or rhino tracking which are only bookable at the lodge.  

Many people only stay one night – due to time constraints. But if you do have time, we recommend staying two nights at Okonjima. There is certainly plenty to do. 

PRO TIP: Depending on your routing/flight connections you may only have time for one afternoon or one morning activity if you are only staying one night. Or you may want to do one of the specialist activities? If this is the case, book on the DB&B basis and pre-book the one tour that you have time to do.  

Honourable Mentions:

Nooishof on Sinclair – Contemporary Farm Luxury 

Nestled within the enchanting Sinclair Nature Reserve, the exclusive guest house invites guests to experience a world of tranquillity. The property features four thoughtfully crafted luxury suites, each providing a unique blend of modern comfort and rustic charm 

Little Ongava, Etosha National Park 

Little Ongava has the distinction of being the most expensive lodge in Namibia. And indeed, the suites are exquisite, and the setting is truly mesmerizing perched high on a ridge overlooking the private Ongava game reserve which borders Etosha National Park. So why only an honorary mention? I guess it comes down to the price, which is eye-watering. Yes, it will be sublime for those who can afford it, and especially if you can take all three suites to make an exclusive use lodge. But we preferred the suites at Anderssons and its proximity to Etosha National Park. 

Zannier Sonop – Vintage Desert Luxury 

Perched on granite boulders in the southern Namib Desert, Zannier Sonop feels like a vintage adventure with luxury modern comforts. The boulder-top tented suites—complete with bathtubs and terraces—are pure indulgence. All offer 1920’s explorers glamour and desert views. Sundowners here, with the desert aglow, are a Must. Excursions like dune walks or ballooning add flair as do their open air cinema experience. 

Tip: Two nights to savour the setting. The pools are unheated, so summer is best for those wanting heated pools in the desert. 

The Strand Hotel, Swakopmund 

This is the smartest place to stay in Swakopmund with a lovely sea view location and a choice of three restaurants on site. There’s a beautiful spa, a choice of rooms to suit various budgets as well as a gym. Though personally I think the beach-front promenade is a nicer way to get some exercise in to counter all the delicious food you are enjoying in Namibia. 

A Namibia Tour Itinerary using the top lodges in Namibia 

When selecting your ideal Namibia lodges, consider the regions you most want to explore. From the Namib Desert’s spectacular dunes to Etosha’s wildlife-rich plains, each area offers distinct experiences. Most luxury Namibia lodges offer fully inclusive packages with activities, meals, and usually most drinks included. For the ultimate Namibia experience, we recommend combining 3-4 different lodges across various regions to experience the country’s diverse landscapes and wildlife. You may need to add in a couple of overnight stays to  

Whether you’re seeking romantic seclusion, wildlife immersion, or architectural wonder, our selection of the best Namibia lodges offer unforgettable stays in one of Africa’s most captivating destinations. 

“Our Top Ten Lodges in Namibia” – was written by safari specialist, Cedarberg Africa

Cedarberg Africa is a specialist tour operator for Southern and East Africa. We focus on upmarket tailormade safaris for discerning and inquiring people. Several of us have visited Namibia a few times, and so we can chat to you about a possible trip from personal experience, weighing up the different options, to plan a trip that is just right for you.