You will find a gem of a country in the south-west of Africa. Bordered by Angola to the north, Zambia to the northeast, Botswana to the east, South Africa to the southeast and south, and due west, a 1,500 km-long Atlantic Ocean coastline. Namibia, land of the brave, spans 824,292 km2 and home to only 3 million inhabitants.
Namibia is a country with unbelievable rugged natural beauty, and finding the right accommodation in the right location can complement the landscapes perfectly. Check out these suggestions for Namibian luxury lodges below, all in different parts of the country, to complement your travels through different areas.
Staying in some incredible luxury lodges in Namibia is a perfect way to enjoy the country beyond the safari and take in the otherworldly landscapes and amazing views.
If you have less time, check out my Namibia road trip photos + guide covering a lot of the country in 10 days. Or, keep reading to find out where to stay in some of the best areas.
Even better – come for 2 weeks every year and experience the North, South, East, and West. In every corner and each expanse of desert, there is something that will mesmerize you.
The best time to visit Namibia is from May to September. This is the country’s dry season, and during those months, the daytime temperatures are mild, and the skies are clear and sunny. It’s the perfect time for long days spent outside.
It has been said that Namibia can be visited throughout the year, but October to March can be extremely hot, depending on where you are. This is the country’s summertime. This might be the time to spend at the Atlantic Ocean if you decide to visit during these months.
Road travel is the most common mode of transport in Namibia, offering both flexibility and convenience. The country has a well-maintained road network, with tarred routes connecting major cities and towns. You can self-drive, or join a scheduled camping or overlander tour. Vehicle rental is straightforward and reasonably priced, especially during the off-season.
You can also explore all of O&L Leisure’s exceptional properties conveniently by air, thanks to nearby airports and airfields.
After landing at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek after a long flight, it is highly recommended that you start your Namibian experience at Midgard just outside the capital.
Midgard is a luxurious self-contained retreat that offers everything you need. From two crystal-clear swimming pools to architecture and gardens steeped in history, and from delicious food to a SPA and pure bliss under huge camelthorn trees, you’ll find authentic and caring people who will welcome you at this great property.
For the more adventurous travelers, hiking/mountain bike trails, sunrise tours, nature drives, and horse riding are also on offer. Unique to this property is an on-site skittle alley, an outdoor chessboard, and a car museum featuring some quite old, and some very old, automobiles.
And, with some luck, you might spot the so-called ‘ugly five’ – the hyena, vulture, warthog, wildebeest and marabou stork, which are super fun to keep your eye out for. You may also be able to spot one or more of the little five if you look closely – the elephant shrew, ant lion, rhinoceros beetle, buffalo weaver, and leopard tortoise.
Discover these and so much more at Midgard.
Having experienced Midgard for a day or three, the next stop on your travels should take you to the sea breezes of the Atlantic Ocean and the stunning views of some of the highest dunes in the world.
Next, we head to Swakopmund, a seaside town which has much to offer. With its striking German architecture, wildlife experiences (yes, there are many animals in the desert), and lots of fun in the sun, Swakopmund is known as the adventure capital of the country and the sunsets here are to die for.
There are plenty of coastal activities and desert activities in Swakopmund. Try ascending Dune 7, Dune 45 or Big Daddy at Sossusvlei (a mere 400km from Swakopmund). Oh – you can also drift on the Namibian Dead Sea, north of Henties Bay, 70 km from Swakopmund.
Or, spend some time sandboarding, quad biking, skydiving, hot air ballooning and more. It’s also one of the best places to go sandboarding just outside the city. You can sandboard standing up like a snowboard, or you can lay down and try to clock faster speeds. Whichever you choose (or both), it’s a great time.
When searching for accommodation at the coast, the choices are huge and well adapted to needs, wants and budgets. If you crave luxury, elegance, diversity, and a sense of belonging – there is only one place to book in. The Strand Hotel Swakopmund.
Located on the historic and iconic Mole and surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on three sides, this O&L Leisure property is a marvel and one of the Namibiai luxury lodges to remember when visiting the adventure capital of the country.
You can choose from sea-facing rooms with balconies or relish the offerings of three restaurants, a micro-brewery, the beach kiosk, various bars as well as the deli and lobby-lounge. You can also enjoy some expert pampering at the Atlantic Spa, swim in the ocean or pump some muscle in the hotel gym. The Strand Hotel has all you need!
Ready for more luxury, adventure and Africa Re-imagined? Mokuti Etosha, another gem in the O&L Leisure stable, is a mere 4km from the Von Lindequist gate of the Etosha National Park.
Etosha National Park is unique in Africa. It has all the wildlife, and its main characteristic is a salt pan so large it can be seen from space! There is abundant wildlife ranging from elephants and rhinos to lions and cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and springbok to oryx and ostriches – the variety is endless and 4 out of the big 5 can be seen here.
It is recommended to book at least two trips from Mokuti Etosha into the park as this will enhance your chance of spotting a variety of game. It’s a big park and the more game drives you can do, the more you may see!
The true magic of this luxury lodge lies in rewarding, immersive and unique O&L experiences and activities on offer. Whether you are seeking adventure, culinary delights, exploration or relaxation, Mokuti Etosha is Africa Re-imagined in so many ways – enjoy luxury, safari, Namibia and Etosha all rolled into one.
Having kept the best luxury lodges in Namibia for last, it is now time to end off your travels with a stay at the exclusive and intimate boutique lodge Chobe Water Villas.
Think – greatest density of wildlife of any river system in the world – and yes, the last of the BIG 5, the buffalo can be found here.
Imagine – Chobe is home of 160,000 elephants along with some 164 mammal and 460 bird species.
Dream about a spectacular location ensuring amazing views of an untamed Africa, available from the Lodge and all of its 16 exclusive Water Villas, elevated to allow for the viewing of the world-renowned Sedudu Island and all the wildlife that may traverse it.
This most beautiful and luxurious lodge in the O&L Leisure catalogue, which offers you world-class luxury in Namibia’s Zambezi region. From here, it is also a short hop (1hour 15 minutes) to see and experience Victoria Falls.
Time to stop thinking, imagining and dreaming… Now is the time to action those holiday plans! And Namibia will impress you around every corner.
Namibia is a land of wide open spaces and golden sunsets. It’s a truly stunning country with unique attractions, cultural experiences, friendly and hospitable locals, and landscapes that will make you fall in love!
Besides the many attractions mentioned above, you could spend another 2 or 4 weeks exploring the Fish River Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the world, the Skeleton Coast with its extraordinary landscapes, the ghost town of Kolmanskop, the world’s largest underground lake (non-sub-glacial) and some of the many rock petroglyphs (Namibia has one of Africa’s largest concentrations of rock petroglyphs in the world).Besides the many attractions mentioned above, you could spend another 2 or 4 weeks exploring the Fish River Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the world, the Skeleton Coast with its extraordinary landscapes, the ghost town of Kolmanskop, the world’s largest underground lake (non-sub-glacial) and some of the many rock petroglyphs (Namibia has one of Africa’s largest concentrations of rock petroglyphs in the world).
Oh, and …..Namibia is also home to one-fifth of the world’s total free-roaming cheetah population, one of the largest percentages in the world today. It was the first country to include the protection of the environment in its constitution.
Namibia is a land of vast landscapes and unique experiences and offers a journey beyond the ordinary. Every corner of this country invites exploration and discovery. The adventure is best paired with world-class hospitality, passionate and hand-picked people, and a wonderful feeling of being valued at any of the O&L Leisure properties we mentioned above.
Let your dreams take flight today as you embark on an adventure of a lifetime in this land of the brave with it’s wide, open spaces. Namibia awaits!
AUTHOR
Kimmie - Adventures & Sunsets
