Hoanib Elephant Camp

OVERVIEW:

Hoanib Valley Camp is a new offering from Natural Selection deep in the heart of north-west Namibia. An awe-inspiring setting with spectacular desert views gives the camp an instant allure, enhanced by unique opportunities to see desert-adapted wildlife and to encounter local Himba communities.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Hoanib Elephant Camp is located on the northern bank of the Hoanib River, 70 kilometres south-west of Sesfontein and just 25 kilometres downriver from Hoanib Valley Camp. Access to this remote area will soon be made easier with a new airstrip, just 5 minutes from camp.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT HOANIB ELEPHANT CAMP:

The under-canvas main areas at Hoanib Elephant Camp feature a lounge and dining room, a spacious outdoor deck with a swimming pool, a small spa, and a fire-pit beneath the stars. Striking desert views captivate from every angle – and as there’s plenty of space for sitting outside, guests have every opportunity to soak up this raw desert wilderness. Powered completely by solar energy and reliant on eco-conscious materials, Hoanib Elephant Camp is proud of its light footprint, where positive impact matters just as much as guest experience.

Hoanib Elephant Camp features ten airy, solar-powered tents – eight twin-occupancy and two spacious family units. While the aesthetic is understated, no luxury is overlooked. Insulated canvas roofs provide natural climate control, complemented by full air-conditioning and fans. Every large wooden deck boasts a private plunge pool and ample space for relaxing and taking in the setting. Each suite features an en-suite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers, along with thoughtful touches such as a mini-bar and a coffee station. Featuring low platforms with rammed-earth walls, the architecture blends seamlessly into the terrain, ensuring a front-row seat to an ancient landscape where desert-adapted elephants roam.

ACTIVITIES AT HOANIB ELEPHANT CAMP:

Activities at Hoanib Elephant Camp are designed to take in the mesmerising landscapes of Kaokoland and its remarkable desert-adapted wildlife.

• Game drives

  - A game drive in Kaokoland is utterly unique, as you’ll discover species, including giraffe, lion, elephant, and rhino, that survive the harshest conditions by adapting to their desert environment. Besides wildlife viewing, this is a chance to take in the incredible landscape with its towering mountains, sand dunes, and vast tracts of desert. Please be aware that private vehicles must be booked for groups traveling with children below the age of 10.

• Nature walks

  - Embark on a guided nature walk with your expert guide, who’ll bring this rugged environment to life with all its details. Learn all about the desert-adapted species that survive in this terrain. Those who spend three nights or more can go out tracking rhinos on the dry riverbeds, too. Please note that the minimum age to join walking activities is 12 years.

• Cultural visits

  - Spend some time with the semi-nomadic Himba people, learning about their age-old, desert-adapted ways of life. See their dome-shaped huts and gain insight into their ancient traditions and cattle-herding livelihood.

• Rhino tracking

  - Enjoy a full-day excursion to track rhinos and learn about the conservation work involved in protecting this rarely seen, endangered species. This experience is offered year-round to guests of all ages, with a two-night minimum stay.

• Stargazing

  - The skies above Kaokoland are some of the darkest on Earth, meaning you’ll experience incredible stargazing from here, and a reminder of how remote and secluded this region truly is.