Sanctuary Retreats has announced the addition of two luxury camps in Namibia to its portfolio. Okahirongo River Camp and Okahirongo Elephant Lodge will join the company’s collection of lodges and camps in Africa, bringing the total number to 14 alongside properties in Botswana, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Kenya.
Okahirongo River Camp is located in the region of Marienfluss, a remote region far into the north-western reaches of Namibia, bordered by the Skeleton Coast and the Kunene River, creating natural boundaries with Angola and the Atlantic Ocean. Okahirongo Elephant Lodge is set inside Puros Conservancy, 34 miles from the Skeleton Coast in the North West of Namibia.
Okahirongo River Camp lies on a ridge above the Kunene River in northwest Namibia. The camp offers five luxury tents, each with a covered deck offering river views. The rooms include an indoor shower and an outdoor shower. There is also a private family tent, with a king bedroom, twin room and decking area. The natural colors and materials suit the environment, as do the solar panels and traditional lighting. The open-plan main lodge offers views of the river and mountains beyond. Guests enjoy views of the Kunene from the camp’s swimming pool, and may even spy crocodiles in the river.
On the river, guests can fish or take a cruise that offers a croc’s-eye view from a pontoon, spying crocodiles, native birds and other wildlife. On an early-morning walking safari guests feel the vast scale of the landscape, while a sundown climb offers mountaintop views. They can also go on a scenic drive to the Moon Valley.
The camp offers the opportunity to visit an authentic Himba village to meet the indigenous people and learn about their traditions, such as the sacred fire, okuruwo, which burns day and night.
Okahirongo Elephant Lodge is located in the heart of the deserted Kaokoland, sitting on the banks of the Hoarusib River. The earth-colored architecture suits the landscape. The main lounge and dining room walls are open to the views. The infinity pool offers views of the mountains on the horizon and there’s a traditional boma, where guests gather around an evening fire for conversation or stargazing. There are seven private luxury suites with windows; each bedroom is decorated with an African ambiance, from hand-carved wooden furniture and African fabrics to lamps made of porcupine quills and kudu antler door handles.
Each suite also has a private veranda overlooking the desert. From the shaded daybed, guests can spot giraffe strolling along the river valley or watch the moon rise. The ensuite bathroom includes a bath with a view, indoor shower and an open-air shower. There is also a private family suite, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, private terrace and an open lounge.
Experiences include game drives with Himba guides to track desert elephant, lion, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, steenbok and kudu, besides exotic bird species. Guests can track black rhino on foot, followed by lunch in the bush. They can take a trip to the clay castles of the Hoarusib River valley, keeping an eye out for elephant, giraffe, oryx and jackal. They can also sip a sundowner as the sun sets over the dunes.
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