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Hoanib Valley Camp

An intimate desert safari escape for explorers.
Location
Kaokoland
No. of rooms
6 Rooms
Price Range
NAD 14,995 — NAD 23,995 per night
Dates Open
Year Round
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Hoanib Valley Camp

A rare desert encounter

In a country jam-packed with vast, spectacularly beautiful landscapes, Kaokoland may just be the most incredible of them all. Deep in north-western Namibia, the area is a melee of towering mountains, sand dunes, and huge expanses of desert, scattered with unique wildlife and nomadic Himba settlements. It’s also one of Namibia’s most remote and wild environments, and one that not many will get the chance to discover in a lifetime, and the very reason we’ve built it here.

The six rooms rests effortlessly in this wild environment, offering a simple aesthetic that matches the rugged landscape down to a tee. Days are spent tracking endangered rhino, desert-adapted elephant, and of course desert-adapted giraffe, before retiring to your private veranda to marvel at the magnitude of your surroundings (sundowner in hand).

Travel that Matters

Simply by making a choice to visit Hoanib Valley Camp you are already leaving a positive impact on the conservation of desert dwelling giraffe and supporting a black rhino introduction programme.

 

Click to enlarge map

Kaokoland

Deep in the north-western corner of Namibia, Kaokoland is one of the most remote, wild and marvellously unique areas of the country. It’s a land characterised by rolling dunes, rocky mountains and desert plains all criss-crossed by ancient, dry riverbeds, the roads of the area. Temporary Himba settlements dot the landscape, and scattered herds of desert-adapted elephant and giraffe are a common sight.

Hoanib Valley Camp itself is located in the Sesfontein Community Conservancy, our joint partners in the area. The camp itself is set back in a hidden valley and surrounded by a range of jagged mountains, just outside the private 500 square kilometre Palmwag Concession. Views are of the ephemeral Hoanib River that teems with resident elephant, giraffe, oryx and springbok. Although parts of the land have been designated ‘concession areas’ tourism is still limited, making a visit to this unspoiled corner even more memorable.

Open Year Round

Hoanib Valley Camp is open year-round, but the two seasons (green season and dry season) offer two remarkably different experiences.

The summer months of December to March are the green season. When the rain comes, the rocky landscapes are transformed into a rich, emerald carpet, and, depending on the level of rainfall, the dry riverbeds flow (albeit briefly) with life-giving water. Dramatic sunsets are littered with heavy clouds, and short bursts of rain clear the dust from the air. It’s fresh, vivid, and although temperatures can be high, it’s a lovely time of year to visit.

Then the rain stops, and the land dries slowly into its iconic, desert state. Midwinter (May to July), brings chilly temperatures in the mornings and evenings (that’s where the warm jacket comes in) but as the season progresses the temperatures rise steadily. By October, the land is at its driest and the temperature at its warmest, and as the desert-elephant begin to congregate around the last drops of water in the river valleys, you’ll be rewarded with some truly incredible sights.

Signature Experiences

Game Drives

Rhino Tracking

Giraffe Sanctuary

Cultural Visit

Nature Walks

Amenities

Swimming Pool

Outside Dining

Library

Wi-Fi

Family Room

Get up close

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livestream

Livestream Highlights
An desert oasis of comfort and calm

Why you'll Love It

Observe Desert Adapted Wildlife

Search for rare desert adapted giraffe, lion, elephant and rhino. It’s fascinating to witness how these creatures have evolved over time and can survive in these harsh desert conditions.

An Intimate Desert Retreat

This camp with its understated safari luxury is a place to disconnect, relax, explore, and feel part of a grand yet fragile desert ecosystem.

Giraffe Conservation in Action

Learn about the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) from your guide, observing these remarkable creatures in this tough environment, and how your stay has a positive impact on these beautiful animals.

Himba & Herero local tribes

Visit the local Himba and Herero tribes that survive in the desert. They have fascinating cultures, from a semi-nomadic way of life, to traditional victorian style.

Dramatic desert landscapes

This semi-arid area is defined by towering rock formations, sweeping sand dunes, and vast desert plains intersected by ancient riverbeds.

Desert Dwelling Giraffe Conservation

Giraffes across Africa are under threat, and we’re wanting to bring awareness to their declining numbers. Working together with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) in northwest Namibia, we’re trying to further our understanding of this Angolan sub-species and create awareness of the plight of these stately and beautiful creatures.
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A secluded and intimate desert escape

Accommodations

Hoanib Valley’s six guest tents sit in harmony with the rugged environment. The colours, textures and patterns are inspired by the experience of the Hoanib; the rich ochre of the dunes, the geometric patterns of the Himba people and, of course, the giraffe that inspired the project.

True to the ethos of Natural Selection, we’ve sourced materials locally, and you’ll find furniture shaped by the local Rundu carpenters and Himba carvers, and baskets weaved by the people of the Omba Project in Windhoek. The whole camp is a clean and green sort of place, leaving virtually no footprint on this fragile eco-system. It’s entirely solar powered to ensure carbon emissions are kept to a minimum, and the tents sit on decks made of a wood, bamboo and 70% recycled-material composite.

At a Glance
  • 6 tents: 5 twins, 1 family
  • Ensuite bathrooms with indoor showers
  • Swimming Pool
  • Wi-Fi available: Yes
  • Hairdryers: No
  • Battery charging facilities: In the main area & in rooms
  • Complimentary laundry service
  • Child policy: We welcome children of all ages
  • Disabled access: Please enquire with reservations
Amazing Encounters

Wildlife

The wildlife of the Hoanib Valley is perfectly at home in the arid environment, and learning about their survival techniques is fascinating. Game drives will reveal 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 home to the largest population of 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.

Experiences

What to see and do

Get access to a range of experiences that can be enjoyed during your stay

Nature drives

Go on morning & evening game drives in search of desert-adapted animals that live in this harsh environment.

Rhino Tracking

Our rhino rangers will take you to find the resident black rhino that live here. Learn how to track & keep them safe.

Giraffe Sanctuary

View the desert-adapted giraffe that roam freely here, your guide will tell you all about our plight to keep their numbers safe.

Cultural visit

Visit the local Himba & Herero tribes, to see their fascinating cultures and nomadic way of life.

Nature walks

Experience this remote and wild environment on foot, seeing first hand how the desert-adapted animals survive.
Namibia Activities PDF
Making a difference

Our impact

When you visit, you will be directly supporting the following Natural Selection conservation initatives:

Black Rhino Relocation Programme

We support black rhino relocation in Namibia’s Kunene region, expanding their range, and working with Save the Rhino Trust to protect this critically endangered species for the future.
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Desert-Dwelling Giraffe Conservation

Focusing on raising awareness of giraffe declines in Africa and supporting the continued conservation of desert-dwelling giraffes in northwestern Namibia.
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Desert Lion Early Warning Conflict Mitigation System

Implementing an automatic monitoring and early warning system for desert lions to reduce conflict with livestock herders, in the hope of mitigating human–wildlife conflict.
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Wild Shots Outreach

An immersive experience that helps young adults from underprivileged areas learn to appreciate wildlife and natural environments through the lens of a camera.
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Khomas Environmental Education Programme (KEEP)

KEEP connects urban primary school children with nature, fostering environmental awareness and nurturing responsible citizens of both local and global communities.
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Northwest Namibia Community Outreach

Through strong partnerships in Northwest Namibia, we have been helping communities through various school and community support initiatives.
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Get a glimpse

Watch our video

Conservation and community

Hoanib Valley Camp story

You’ll find Hoanib Valley Camp in the Kaokoveld region of north-west Namibia – an area that has long held an allure for Dr Julian Fennessy, Africa’s foremost giraffe expert and the go-to guy for information on the hardy population of desert-adapted giraffe who live here. Julian and Stephanie Fennesy of the Giraffe Conservation Fund (GCF) are our partners in this property together with the Sesfontein Community who live some way inland of camp.

When we first started to build Hoanib Valley Camp, we employed 20 labourers from Sesfontein to help us and now, 80% of our staff hail from there. We also pay 8% of our turnover as rental to the community, which they in turn use to finance salaries for rhino rangers and game guards.

Special Offers

Explore hidden Gems

Stay 3, Pay 2 in Namibia

Time limited offer, book now before it’s too late!
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Honeymoon Special Offer

We’re feeling the love! Honeymoon with us and one spouse stays for 50% off in participating camps.
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Long Stay Combination Rates

Book now and enjoy incredible savings with our Long Stay Rates in Botswana and Namibia!
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Reservations

  • reservations@naturalselection.travel
  • Tel: +27 21 001 1574

Marketing

  • marketing@naturalselection.travel
  • Tel: +27 21 001 1574
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