T
he sun’s rays gleam and edge along the rim of the mountain to the east. I was sitting on the edge of a rock atop a small hill just behind the lodge in this desolate valley to which we had retreated. The golden hues of early morning light slowly crept across the landscape, not unlike water rising steadily. The grass, still tall after a spell of much needed rainfall earlier this year, is set alight by the gentle caress of light as the dawn rises. The crown of seeds on each fragile stem diffusing the shine into every direction. A kaleidoscope of dancing beams creating one of the softest scenes I have ever experienced. Ironic when you take into account where I was. A harsh, hard and desolate desert landscape, transformed in the golden glow of morning.
explorer’s itinerary. Giraffe have made their home here in this valley of solitude as is evident not only by their presence in the river, but even by the footprints they have left behind in stretches of desert sand and rocky plains to the north of the river. Both young and old enjoy the freedom and luxury of the wild haven they have been afforded within the oasis that is the Hoanib River. An abundance of food and the existence of numerous natural springs mean that survival is possible for all the gentle giants of the Hoanib Valley, giraffe and elephant alike. Natural predators are prevalent, however, as desert lion and a healthy population of brown hyena also call the region home, though the latter is a scavenger and not likely to prey on the strong and healthy.
East of Namibia’s Skeleton Coast National Park, a 2-hour drive from the north-western settlement of Sesfontein on the bank of the ephemeral Hoanib River, a new lodge is nestled amongst the enigmatic geological wonderland characteristic of the region. Two hundred meters or so from one of Namibia’s famed rivers, where desert-adapted species of wildlife such as elephant, giraffe and lion roam, Natural Selection has recently opened the doors, or should we rather say tent flaps, of the latest product in their ever-growing tourism portfolio: Hoanib Valley Camp.
Beautifully appointed suites and a main lodge area that beckons you to come in and immediately makes you feel right at home. Hoanib Valley Camp is a highly recommended luxury retreat for those looking to escape the norm of what an African safari is expected to be and experience the magic of what a truly other-worldly, authentic and special destination such as the Hoanib Valley has to offer. Here, you won’t find the crowds and the rush of a popular national park, waiting in what seems like a queue to get your chance to snap a picture. No, here you’ll find solitude and silence and undisturbed beauty, yours to soak up and enjoy.
Flanked by rugged mountainscapes to the west, north and east, the tented lodge overlooks a stunningly beautiful stretch of the Hoanib Valley and the river that lies to the south. With its towering Ana trees and host to wildlife brave enough to take on the often extreme climate of Namibia’s Kaokoland, this destination should surely be on every nature lover’s and
Hoanib Valley Camp is located on the northern bank of the Hoanib River, a 2-hour drive from Sesfontein.
On a nature drive down the river it feels as though we have traversed a multitude of biomes. From the harsh and rugged mountains in which the lodge is ensconced, to the lush greenery of the dry riverbed down which we travel we arrive at a stark valley on the northern bank of the river, not far from