Namib Outpost

Namib Outpost offers an experience where luxury meets unspoiled wilderness in the timeless beauty of the Namib Desert. The property was re-built and re-opened in April 2023, having formerly been known as Desert Homestead Outpost. This setting stretches across vast gravel plains to mountains in the distance. The lodge aims to keep its environmental impact minimal, using solar power as the main source of electricity for guest comforts like air conditioning and hot water, and also for employee accommodation and the hot air balloon base. The main area of the camp is spread across three levels and includes a reception, a bar, and both indoor and outdoor dining areas. An inviting swimming pool shares the expansive views. High above the lodge, a crow's nest sundowner deck provides a vantage point for sunsets or sunrises. The track to this deck is steep with a loose surface, suggesting it should be walked with sufficient light.

Accommodation at Namib Outpost consists of 12 chalets, partially set on stilts on the lower slopes of a mountain. These chalets are designed to blend natural materials with modern amenities, offering a harmonious feel with the surrounding landscape. Each chalet provides spacious interiors with wooden floors, a thatched roof, and floor-to-ceiling glazed doors and windows. They are air-conditioned and feature twin beds draped with mosquito netting. En-suite bathrooms are spacious and include twin basins, flush toilets, and plumbed-in solar-heated showers. Each chalet also has a private shaded sundeck and a sleeper daybed alongside, allowing guests to spend a night beneath the stars. Inside, an honesty minibar, a complimentary tea and coffee station, and a small digital safe are provided. A family chalet is available with an additional twin-bedded room. There is also a more spacious chalet located at the end of the row, featuring a private lounge, a luxurious plunge pool, and a large deck with loungers and a cushioned nest. The balconies of the standard chalets are not suitable for children under six years old.

Namib Outpost operates on a full board basis. The standard of food is high, and the lodge caters for all dietary requests provided they are advised before arrival. Breakfast is a European-style buffet, offering a selection of muesli, fresh fruit, and yoghurts, along with teas and coffees. A cooked breakfast, including pancakes, waffles, or eggs and bacon, can be ordered on request. Lunch is available from a pub-style à la carte menu; an example includes a ham and cheese sandwich on home-made bread with a fresh garden salad. Dinner is a three-course set menu, which might start with a French onion soup, followed by a choice of main courses such as grilled chicken breast supreme or flame-grilled beef fillet, and rounded off with a dessert like chocolate volcano cake. Guests can enjoy meals in either the indoor or outdoor dining areas, with the indoor area featuring a fireplace for colder winter evenings. Drinks are not included in the board basis. Borehole water is safe to drink, and bottled water can be purchased from the bar or the honesty minibar in the suites.

Namib Outpost is situated in Sossusvlei/Sesriem, Hardap, Namibia, specifically at the foot of one of the Namib Tsaris Nature Reserve's mountains. It lies approximately 30km from the Sesriem gate, which serves as the entrance to the Namib-Naukluft Park. The lodge is accessed and signposted from the C19. This location offers a remote feel in an area that is experiencing increased popularity. The lodge's setting provides views over vast gravel plains stretching to distant mountains. Guests can explore the Sossusvlei area and the dunes of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Activities available include 4WD safaris, sundowner drives to scenic viewpoints, self-guided hiking and jogging trails around the lodge, and horse riding excursions arranged through the nearby sister property, Desert Homestead Lodge. Hot air ballooning and scenic helicopter flights are also available at an additional cost. The lodge is reachable by self-drive or fly-and-transfer. The nearest clinic is in Sesriem, and for emergencies, patients would be airlifted to Windhoek.

Namib Outpost suits travellers seeking a blend of comfort and wilderness exploration in a remote desert setting. It serves as a comfortable and flexible base for those wishing to explore the Sossusvlei area and the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The lodge is well-suited for guests who appreciate panoramic views and the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities, from self-driven exploration to guided excursions such as 4WD safaris, sundowner drives, horse riding, hot air ballooning, and scenic helicopter flights. While children of all ages are welcome, the general feel of the lodge, its layout, and the unfenced, unguarded swimming pool and stilted chalets with considerable drops, mean it is generally for older children or families who can ensure constant supervision. It is particularly suitable for those who enjoy the outdoors, with options for sleeping under the stars, and those who value eco-friendly principles, as the lodge uses solar power extensively. The lodge caters to individuals or couples seeking a tranquil sanctuary, and the spacious superior chalet with a private lounge and plunge pool is suitable for honeymooners.