In the rugged heart of Namibia’s Kaokoland, where towering mountains meet dry riverbeds, desert-adapted elephants roam freely, tracing ancient paths in search of water and food. Hoanib Elephant Camp offers guests the rare opportunity to witness one of Africa’s most extraordinary adaptations and become fully immersed in the world of these resilient animals.
The under-canvas camp is set in one of the most remote and remarkable areas of Namibia’s untamed northwest and has been designed for adventured travellers who seek both wild desert immersion and exceptional comfort, all while treading lightly on the earth. Each of the 10 spacious rooms have been thoughtfully designed with sustainability and the vast desert landscape in mind. From every corner in camp there is the constant companionship of expansive desert views and endless skies.
Powered entirely by solar energy the building design includes rammed earth walls and insulated canvas roofs which offer natural climate control—cool in summer, warm in winter, and always comfortable.
Made for those who seek the road less travelled—this camp is your base for raw desert exploration. Whether tracking the elusive desert-adapted wildlife, engaging with the vibrant Himba tribe, driving to the Skeleton Coast, or simply taking in the magnitude of each sunset, here you’ll discover desert escapism, and the quiet comfort of understated luxury. This is an ancient place carved by water and wind, where elephants roam the remote desert valleys, and only a privileged few get to follow. (natselect)
* Opens May 2026
Hoanib Elephant Camp is an under-canvas camp for the adventured traveler, one that craves both immersive desert adventure and understated luxury.
At the heart of this eco-friendly camp is the main area which includes a lounge and dining room, spacious outdoor deck with a swimming pool, a small wellness spa, and a fire-pit under the stars—perfect for gathering and storytelling.
The 10 spacious guest rooms (comprising of 8 twin and 2 family units) are each thoughtfully designed with exceptional comfort, stunning desert views and sustainability in mind. The room design includes rammed earth walls and heavily insulated canvas roofs that offer natural climate control—cool in summer and warm in winter.
Elevated on low wooden decks, the tents are equipped with all the modern conveniences for the desert environment including air-conditioned rooms and private plunge pools. The ensuite bathrooms have double vanities, as well as both indoor and outdoor showers.
Powered entirely by solar energy and supported by a full water treatment system, the camp runs sustainably and is built using eco-conscious materials and methods to maintain a gentle footprint.
The wildlife of the Hoanib Valley is perfectly at home in the semi-arid environment, and learning about their survival techniques is fascinating. Game drives will reveal a remarkable array of desert-adapted elephant, as well as stately desert-adapted giraffe, and, if you’re very lucky, desert lion. Zebra, klipspringer and kudu move freely through the mountains, and you’ll find hardy herds of springbok and oryx, as well as steenbok picking their way across the dust-blown landscapes.
The region is also home to free-ranging black rhino, and a day (or even a morning or an afternoon) tracking the magnificent beasts is an absolute must. Bird watchers, keep your eyes peeled for Monteiro’s hornbills or Ruppell’s korhaans in the valleys, and the imperious Verreaux’s eagle in the mountains.
Near the camp there is a thriving waterhole that draws an array of wildlife, including desert lion, giraffe, oryx, and the elusive brown hyena—each sighting a testament to nature’s resilience and the incredible adaptability of life in the desert.
Along the Skeleton Coast’s raw and rugged sweep of coastline, the towering dunes and wind-swept plains are buffeted by the icy Atlantic seas and beneath the seemingly barren exterior lies a vibrant tapestry of flora and fauna that has adapted to thrive here, along with the many desert-adapted creatures, and enchanting desert succulents and lichens that thrive here.
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