Wilderness Serra Cafema

OVERVIEW:

Set in the arid wilderness of the Hartmann Valley, Serra Cafema is a unique and extraordinary property in the remote north-western corner of Namibia, on the banks of the Kunene river. This is a land of striking contrasts, as scorched earth and mountain terrain are scythed through by the life-giving waters of the Kunene river. Rarely is it possible to see so clearly the dramatic effects of water on the land! An oasis belt is formed, with a lush, green sliver of vegetation rising around the riverbanks upon which Serra Cafema is positioned. The setting is magnificent, with views over the river and beyond to the mountains of Angola’s Iona National Park. This region of the world is inhabited by one of the few remaining semi-nomadic African tribes, the Himba, still pursuing ancient nomadic traditions that once belonged to us all! The cultural interactions you can experience with them here are spellbinding.

With Serra Cafema being so remote, it does require a light aircraft flight, which only adds to the adventure and allows you to appreciate the vastness of Namibia. Once there, you’ll immediately feel that it is a journey well spent! This is a lodge where big game safari takes a back seat and the landscape assumes centre stage. You will certainly see many fascinating creatures, though – wonderful birdlife, ostrich, huge crocodiles, oryx, mountain zebra, and many other mammals specially adapted to desert life. However, this is a place to come for unrivalled remoteness, exceptional geology, and a wonderful chance to disconnect from modern life in one of the most beautiful and extreme places on Earth.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

The setting of Wilderness Serra Cafema is utterly beautiful. Located on the edge of the Kunene river, it sits at the bottom of a river valley that cuts through the region. The northern bank is Angola, the southern bank is Namibia. Huge rocky mountain ranges surround the camp in a landscape that can only be called ‘otherworldly’. Given the stark surrounding terrain, it feels magical that this vibrant river courses its way through such an arid expanse! And with Serra Cafema’s location in the heart of this linear oasis, what wildlife manages to survive in this parched and barren land comes to the river to drink.

The camp is accessed by scheduled light aircraft into Hartmann Valley airstrip and then from here it’s a 1.5 hour drive to camp through some of the most breathtaking landscapes. Flights from Windhoek take between 3 and 4 hours through the central highlands, and each is an epic journey, taking you through valleys and over dunes. The pilot sometimes stops to refuel along the Skeleton Coast at Hoanib Camp or Doro Nawas, but please chat with one of our safari experts to find out how best to incorporate this spectacular, luxury outpost into your Namibia itinerary!

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT WILDERNESS SERRA CAFEMA:

Perched on the banks of the Kunene river, this excellent and unique property is regarded as the flagship of Wilderness’ operations in Namibia. To have this level of luxury in an area as isolated as this is a feat in itself – the region is truly remote! It’s 250 kilometres to the nearest village. The feeling you get from being in true wilderness with nobody else around is enriching. And what an amazing lodge Serra Cafema is! The eight canvas-and-thatch villas are stunning. They are huge, with large private lounge spaces, sweeping windows that open fully to the breeze, mosquito nets draped over cotton-rich beds, indoor and outdoor showers, twin washbasins, and a large decking area complete with sunbeds. The style is earthy and elegant, incorporating neutral colours along with some local craftworks to complete the picture. Every suite looks out over the Kunene river, which brings essential water to the rare animals who live here. The rooms and the entire property are raised on stilts so as to lessen the impact on the ecosystem.

The main area of the lodge is sublimely appointed with comfy armchairs, a well-stocked bar, and dining areas that face out to the lovely views. There are numerous beautiful spots around the property for dining under the stars, and although meals are communal, private dining is available on request. It’s definitely worth asking for a night on your own to marvel at this stunning place you find yourself in! Riverside breakfasts are a real highlight. The food here is superb, with a mix of international dishes and fantastic local produce, including traditional Herero cuisine and some African-style tapas. Wilderness are renowned for their support of local farmers and artisans in the creation of their beautiful lodges – and despite its amazing remoteness, Serra Cafema is no different. Incredibly, Wi-Fi is available here! Although speeds may be intermittent, really this is a chance to let go of the connectivity for a time and enjoy the silence of the desert.

WILDERNESS SERRA CAFEMA ACTIVITIES:

Activities at Wilderness Serra Cafema are designed around exploring the region by any means possible! Game drives, as well as quad biking excursions, are complemented by riverboat safaris, as well as some fantastic walking trips. This is also one of the finest places in Namibia to interact with the local Himba tribespeople.

• Expertly guided game drives

  - Two game sessions per day are available, during the morning and the late afternoon. These are more exploratory drives, through broad valleys, endless dunes, basalt mountains with their famous ‘fairy circles’ that scar the land. Among the highlights that you might see are Hartmann’s mountain zebra, ostrich, desert-adapted oryx, springbok, and a variety of lizards! There is also some great birdlife here, such as the Benguela long-billed lark and Burchell’s courser.

• Walking safaris

  - You can also head out into the desert for a walk with your expert guide. As well as enjoying animal tracking and the area’s great birdlife, you can take a closer look at the region’s smaller animals, insects, and plant life. Different levels and distances are possible, depending on the ages of your group. Please note, the minimum age requirement for classic walking safari is 12 years.

• Night drives

  - Why not head out at night, to see some nocturnal creatures at play? It’s always an unforgettable experience, watching what goes on in the dark of the night. Although you won’t see big predators at large, you can head to some stunning spots and enjoy the desert come nightfall.

• Cultural trips

  - This is a real highlight at Serra Cafema! The local Himba tribe is legendary, and you can meet its members in their semi-nomadic ‘villages’. An absolute must-do, and it’s always a rewarding experience to meet the people who call this extreme environment their home.

• Boating

  - The boating safaris here are calm and delightful. Yours will be the only boat on this stretch of the river for hundreds of kilometres! From the water, you can see the impact of the river on the surrounding land, creating this extraordinary oasis with plenty of wildlife on the riverbanks and strong populations of Nile crocodiles.

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.