10 Best Hotels in Namib-Naukluft Park, Namibia

This gorgeous glass and natural stone lodge has a spectacular setting on the border of the NamibRand Nature Reserve–Africa's first International Dark Sky Reserve. Its ultra-luxurious desert villas, which face a vast golden-yellow plain ringed by dune peaks, each have a private patio with sun loungers and couches and a large hydraloop swimming pool. Shower in your mega-size bathroom or outside in your own little walled garden. You can lie in bed and watch the stars through the skylight overhead or climb up to the observatory with its state-of-the-art telescope and resident astronomer. The food is as refreshing as the lodge, but if you don't feel like eating in the main dining area, you can make use of the butler hatch in your suite for in-room dining, accompanied by an extensive bar. Recent lodge renovations included the addition of a gym and spa facilities.

When you see the sunset reflecting off the Namib-Naukluft Mountains from this elegant hotel, you’ll understand why this safari shabby chic establishment is done up in accents of dusty pink. From its restaurant and food stations at meal times to the geometric fire-and-water feature at the entrance, Instagram-worthy bar and lounge (called ‘One Night in Namibia’), and collection of large portrait photographs of everyday Namibians, this place is very photogenic. Each airy room is tastefully thought out and has all the necessary mod cons, including a floor-to-ceiling sliding door that looks out onto the horizon. The exceptional service will make you feel right at home.

In the heart of the Namib, set on a private wilderness reserve that borders the Namib-Naukluft Park with an exclusive-use entrance gate, this is the closest you could possibly stay to the famous red dunes of Sossusvlei (along with Wilderness Safaris's adjoining property on the same reserve). This proximity also offers a remarkable setting with superb mountain scenery and vast open plains, while the main lodge truly exudes this sense of place with the large tree trunks that act as pillars. The wrap-around wooden deck leads from the swimming pool to an extended verandah (for alfresco dining), fire pit, and indoor dining area, making it the perfect place to watch or photograph the magnificent desert sunset. The tented, double-layer canvas, thatch-roofed chalets (kulala) sit on a wooden platform overlooking the dry Tsauchab riverbed and desert landscape, and while they don't have air-conditioning, they are designed in such a way that allows for natural airflow and cooling. On summer nights, you can request a star bed rollout with your turndown service to sleep under the night sky. 

This intimate and luxurious lodge in the 66,718-acre private Kulala Wilderness Reserve faces the mesmerizing red dunes of Namib-Naukluft Park with the ever-shifting sands and a waterhole that attracts all manner of game and birdlife. The recently renovated lodge is very tastefully decorated in colors, textures, and raw materials that pay homage to the landscape's uniqueness. Elevated wooden walkways radiate from the main lodge to the elegant, air-conditioned suites where every creature comfort is attended to—think a plunge pool alongside a shaded, king-size day bed; a rooftop sundowner deck where personalized dinners can be served; and an indoor and outdoor shower set in an indigenous garden. Rooms also boast art supplies, wellness and workout equipment, and a tablet device for star-watching that comes in handy if you opt to sleep beneath the Milky Way in summer. The impressive wine cellar hosts tasting evenings and private dinners. 

These eco-friendly, solar-powered chalets with spacious wood decks balance atop grassy sand dunes that show off stunning sunset vistas. Classified as a soft adventure camp, you will still see some game and birds, but this location is all about the scenery and the experience of sleeping in the desert beneath the stars. You'll have everything you need for a restful and extremely comfortable night (including lights, hot water, and lots of warm bedding), without having to rough it. The reception area, where you check in, has free Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, and a small shop that sells general items and souvenirs.

Resembling children's building blocks set down by a giant hand in the middle of nowhere, this earth-toned lodge sits in the midst of a wide plain of desert, backed by gorgeous granite hills. Awesome views go with the territory. You can choose to sit on your private verandah and watch the fiery desert sunset, sip a sundowner by the pool, or enjoy a meal in the open-air or indoor restaurant. The lodge will arrange outings and activities for you—don't miss out on an easy walk in the world's oldest desert.

If you want to be on the spot when the park gates open at first light, this hotel (right at the Sesriem entrance) is the right choice for you. Its decor—in khaki shades and with wooden finishings—blends perfectly with the desert surroundings. After a hot, dusty day in the desert, it's wonderful to wallow in the swimming pool, which faces the dunes, and later gaze at the dazzling brilliance of the night skies while you dine in the large open-air restaurant. Book just about any desert activity from the excellent adventure center.

For seclusion and green, conscience-free travel in a ridiculously pretty setting, book Wolwedans Desert Lodge (previously Dune Camp), which is set against an 820-foot-high sand dune that faces a mountain that turns different shades of pink in the setting sun. Take a game drive with the well-informed guides and learn about the unique desert fauna and flora of the NamibRand, from the heat-adapted oryx and tok-tok beetles to Pale Chanting Goshawks and the remarkable camelthorn tree. Progressive in their long-term approach to conservation and energy, the Wolwedans group recycles, grows as much of their own produce as possible, and runs their camps on a solar-hybrid system, which saves you from having to hear a diesel generator all night. The camp recently underwent a major renovation and is now the brand's hospitality training facility, which forms part of the Wolwedans Desert Academy. Meals are prepared by alumni of Wolwedans' excellent Institute of Culinary Education. 

This exclusive-use private villa, in the serene and secluded NamibRand Nature Reserve—which is Africa's first Dark Sky Reserve—gives its guests up-close access to the surrounding desert habitat. The reserve is a reflection of the diversity of the Namib Desert with its steep mountain ranges, vast savannas, glorious red sand dunes, and clay pans. Here you might possibly see the oryx, as well as more than 100 bird species including the rare dune lark. The reserve is sparsely developed and off-limits to large vehicles such as tour buses. What's more, a percentage of the sustainability fee (US$65 per person per night) goes directly to conserving the integrity of the reserve. The villa is made up of four en-suite doubles that share a library, kitchen, private chef, guide and numerous outdoor spaces from which to enjoy the views.

From this delightful lodge, where personal attention and friendly service are outstanding (the lodge gets many repeat visitors), you can drive yourself to Sesriem and Sossusvlei (90 km/56 miles to the gate) or to Naukluft. The comfortable and unpretentious lodge has its own canyon—popular with geologists and archeologists—hiking trails, and perennial springs. All rooms have views of the swimming pool and bush beyond, and are tastefully furnished, making them a welcome refuge from the hot days.