The Dunes Lodge is perched on top of a dune plateau, overlooking panoramic vistas in all directions and capturing the beauty of the desert in a most memorable way. Building style is a combination of wooden structures and canvas blinds, opening up to the desert beyond. The lodge reflects the ambience of a tented camp, but provides the comfort and protection of a permanent building. Each of the nine spacious chalets with en-suite bathrooms sports a private verandah, which connects you to vast stretches of untouched sand. Sleeping with your canvas blinds open is just like sleeping under the stars. The main complex - which has completely been rebuilt during 2003 - consists of two lounges, a number of sundowner decks, a fireplace, a tea deck, a library, the wine cellar and two dining rooms. The lodge also has a swimming pool, which is suspended above the sand. All communal areas of the lodge open out onto decks with superb views.
The tented chalet with an elevated deck on top of a dune plateau sleeps 2 adults in a king-size bed. The en-suite bathroom offers a double vanity, shower & toilet facilities.
Balcony / Deck, Outside Shower, Plunge Pool
The tented chalet with an elevated deck on top of a dune plateau sleeps 2 adults in a king-size bed. The en-suite bathroom offers a double vanity, shower & toilet facilities.
Balcony / Deck, Outside Shower, Plunge Pool, Verandah
Bar, Internet Access (Complimentary), Library, Restaurant
Lounge Area, Plunge Pool, Shower, Verandah
Credit Card Facilities
Bird Watching, Cycling, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Horse Riding, Sleep Outs, Walks (Guided), Walks (Self Guided)
Cultural Tours, Hot Air Ballooning
Garden Lunch
Duration: Variable
Enjoy a healthy lunch in the Wolwedans vegetable garden. Normally done after a Heart & Home tour, garden lunches can also be booked as a stand-alone activity, in case you don’t join a Heart & Home, or following a scenic morning drive or horse ride. Either way, you should not miss a lunch in the garden.
Dune Breakfast
Kickstart the day with a one-of-a-kind breakfast tucked between Namibian dunes. Whether a short walk from camp or paired with a sunrise drive, this experience offers an unforgettable start to your day in one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on Earth.
ADDITIONAL CHARGES APPLY
Dinner Under the Stars
End your day with a memorable dinner beneath the stars. Savor exquisite cuisine during this
Private dinner set in a secret location at the heart of the desert.
ADDITIONAL CHARGES APPLY
Experience the magic of Namibia’s wilderness like never before with Wolwedans’ exclusive Desert Sleepout. Savor the sunset, marvel at the sunrise, and gaze upon skies brimming with stars. This unique adventure in the heart of the Namib Desert invites you to leave the ordinary behind and immerse yourself in the vastness above and beyond.
This is a private activity with a dedicated guide who will be nearby throughout the night, to ensure your comfort and safety, while respecting your privacy. This is a seasonally available from September – May for stays of 3 nights or more, and not available from Boulders Camp.
Dinner hamper in the dunes
The Namib Desert sets the stage for an extraordinary dining location. Enjoy your sleep out with a simple dinner hamper under the vast African sky and wake up to a sunrise coffee with the dunes as your backdrop.
Morning coffee in the dunes
Head out into the dunes after dinner in camp for a once-in-a-lifetime sleeping experience. End your sleep-out with a morning coffee in the remote dunes.
Desert Sleepout requires a minimum 3-night stay, is available from September – May (June-Aug have very low night temperatures) and needs to be pre-booked at reservations level.
Only available at Dune Camp & Mountain View Suite
Duration: Overnight
Our sky is officially recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), it is exceptionally dark and free from light pollution. We work with IDA to protect and preserve our view of the stars, ensuring that the night sky reveals itself in ways you won’t find anywhere else.
For guests staying at Dune Camp and Mountain View Suite, make the most of these pristine night skies by spending a night in your Star Bed. Situated on the deck of each room, the Star Bed offers the perfect balance of comfort and adventure.
If you would like to sleep under the stars, please ask the Camp Anchor to set this up for you.
For fitness enthusiasts, an exhilarating E-Bike adventure awaits, led by our friendly and knowledgeable guides. This experience takes you deep into the dunes and across the expansive plains of the desert, providing a unique perspective that’s typically only accessible by 4x4 vehicles.
Whatever your level, our E-Bike guides ensure you get the most out of this high-energy excursion, blending fitness with exploration for an unforgettable desert adventure.
Morning or Evening Ride (Included)
Duration 1.5-2 hours
Pedal through the shifting sands and have the opportunity to connect with the desert's beauty. Morning rides can be combined with a Village Tour with a lunch or end back in camp where you dip into your private chiller. Evening rides end with sundowners in the dunes.
Full Day Ride (Extra cost)
Duration 4-6 hours
Experienced riders are invited to take part on a full day of riding across the dunes. Along the journey, pause for a picnic in a secluded spot. The excitement of conquering the challenging landscape on two wheels, is matched only by the breathtaking views you'll encounter along the way. This is better suited to our cooler winter months (June – August)
For riders of all kinds, a range of riding experiences is available. Depending on the rider's experience level, the rides can include a mix of galloping, trotting, or walking through the dunes and expansive plains. Whether seasoned or new to horseback riding, these guided rides are designed to suit individual abilities while offering an unforgettable journey through the terrain.
Morning Ride
Duration 2 hours
Set off on a morning horseback ride through the desert, departing from the village and ideal for young adventurers. This gentle ride offers a unique way to explore the landscape and is the perfect precursor to a relaxing lunch in the village garden.
Sunset Ride
Duration 2-3 hours
Take a leisurely 2.5-hour horseback ride through the desert at sunset, exploring the vast landscape as the colors of the sky shift with the fading light. Along the way, stop for sundowners, enjoying a refreshing drink while soaking in the untamed beauty of the desert.
Full Day Ride
Duration 6 hours
Experienced riders seeking a deeper connection with nature may opt for a full-day horseback ride through the desert landscape. From the horseback vantage point, you'll experience the enduring beauty of the desert. Along the journey, pause for a picnic in a secluded spot.
We invite you to contribute to the Wolwedans Foundation through leaving your mark in the desert. The full amount collected goes to the Wolwedans Foundation and each adoption supports a different project being run by the Foundation.
Adopt & Plant a Tree:
Contribute to the restoration of the local ecosystem and help combat desertification by planting a tree in this vital conservation effort. Proceeds go into the Wolwedans Horticulture Project. The tree planting takes about 15 minutes. Your tree has your name on a plaque and we hope you visit us again to see how it has grown.
Adopt a Fairy Circle:
Help preserve one of Namibia's most intriguing natural phenomena by adopting a fairy circle. This project supports the conservation arm of the NamibRand Nature Reserve.
Adopt a SiloTile:
A new initiative with the addition of the silo bar at Dune Camp. Each tile on the silo contributes to our trash to treasure project. All proceeds go towards the waste & recycling plant in Maltahohe, which is part of Rural Revive. Waste is something each of us contribute to on a daily basis, yet few of us think about the impact. In a pristine environment like the NamibRand, creative waste management is a top priority.
Duration: 1 to 3 hours
The Wolwedans Village is our base camp of operations. Meet the team and learn about the community-driven initiatives, including the sustainability projects that make Wolwedans a renowned leader in sustainable tourism. This tour offers a thought-provoking look into the way of life at Wolwedans, and an insight into the Wolwedans Foundation's AridEden mission.
The AridEden Project, encapsulating the Wolwedans Vision 2030 and beyond, is a strategy that integrates our 5Cs sustainability commitment (Commerce, Conservation, Community, Culture, Consciousness). This approach balances people, planet, and profit, with a focus on empowering our team, fostering well-being, and driving consciousness about sustainable solutions.
Village Introduction:
A 1-hour Wolwedans Backstage tour ending in the garden.
Village Immersion:
A 2-3 hour more in-depth experience concludes with lunch in the gardens.
Family Treasure Hunt:
A 1-hour fun and interactive way to explore the behind-the-scenes of a desert camp. Kids might search for a carrot in the garden, or crush a can in the recycling zone - learning while playing.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Join an immersive Bushman walk, guided by an experienced Bushman, as you traverse the Namib sand dunes.
This excursion offers a unique opportunity to explore the desert landscape on foot and delve into its intricate details. As you journey through the dunes, you'll interpret the "morning newspaper" left by small critters overnight, gaining insights into their nocturnal activities. You'll also track the fascinating toktokkie beetle, a remarkable creature vital to the ecosystem, and might even be lucky enough to spot the Dancing White Lady spider as it darts across the sand.
This walk provides a fresh perspective on the natural world, shifting from passive observation to active participation. It highlights the tiny, yet significant, life forms often overlooked from the comfort of a vehicle.
It’s possible to combine your bushman walk with the Heart and Home village tour and lunch in the gardens.
"The Bushmen read the desert like a book, every track a story, every breeze a whisper of life."
Disconnect to Reconnect
Duration: 30-45 minutes
This signature Wolwedans experience includes 30–45 minutes in peaceful silence. For those seeking a moment of personal reflection in the quiet, we offer the opportunity to leave your phone behind and sit in solitude in a remote spot within the dunes, fully embracing the stillness and beauty of the desert.
Recognized by Quiet Parks International, Wolwedans has an exceptionally quiet environment, where only sounds of nature abound. Quiet Parks International is an organization that works to protect natural quiet spaces, helping to preserve the few places in the world where the peace of nature is still intact, free from man-made noise.
As a recognized quiet place, this rare access to silence, allows you to tune into the subtle sounds of nature, experiencing a profound sense of quiet in mind, body, and soul.
For those wishing to connect with the ancient landscape on a deeper level, this experience can be arranged during a sunrise or sundowner drive.
"Silence is not the absence of something but the presence of everything." – Gordon Hempton, acoustic ecologist.
Sunrise Drive
Duration: 1.5 hours
Before breakfast start your day with a breathtaking sunrise drive across the Namib dunes. Savor a hot cup of coffee or tea with home-baked rusks and biscuits as you take in the raw beauty of the landscape. After the sunrise, return to camp or combine with Dune Breakfast.
Morning or Afternoon Drive Duration: 2-3 hours Morning Drive: Head out after breakfast and return to camp for lunch with time to take a dip and
relax in the afternoon. Combines well with an in-room massage.
Afternoon Drive: Head out after afternoon tea to watch the shadows growing over the landscape ending with sundowners.
Sundowner Drive Duration: 1.5 hours
A shorter a drive to a prime sundowner spot. Spot oryx and other wildlife preparing for nightfall, set against the stunning Namibian sky, before enjoying a perfectly prepared G&T as you watch the sun dip below the dramatic desert expanse.
Full-Day Drive Duration: 6 hours
This signature Wolwedans experience promises to be an immersive exploration of the region's most remote and awe-inspiring corners. Enjoy a picnic lunch at our own ‘Hard Rock Café’, an unforgettable setting in the shade of towering boulders. (Picnic sites can vary depending on season)