11-Day Namibia Photographic Highlights Self-drive Safari - Standard - RACK

With easy access from Windhoek International and situated in Klein Windhoek - the Namibian capital's prototype leafy suburb - The Elegant Guesthouse makes for a comfortable overnight stop.

The Elegant, as she is known in these parts, is in a quiet neighbourhood, very secure and close to the shops, restaurants and attractions of northern Windhoek. Getting there from the airport requires two turns, getting to the rest of the country from here requires just three turns.

Modern design and fittings give The Elegant Guesthouse a sophisticated air. Once a small six-roomer, the Elegant has been upgraded and is ever more sophisticated now, offering 17 stylish and beautiful guest rooms. They didn't just add more rooms. They first acquired more space and then expanded, so the mood is still decidedly relaxed (if not more so than before): the perfect way to start or end your Namibia holiday.

All rooms have en suite bathrooms, twin beds (together making a king) and are fitted with air conditioners as well as fast WiFi, television and most open out onto a drought resistant garden or the swimming pool area surrounded by loungers and umbrellas.

Breakfast is served in the light and airy open-plan breakfast room or out in the garden on warm days, which is about 90% of the time in Namibia.

Sossus Dune Lodge sits in an enviable location as it is the first of only two lodges built inside the restricted Sossusvlei area.

Built against low lying mountains, Sossus Dune Lodge offers views across the plains to the dunes. It has a total of 25 chalets (including 2 honeymoon suites): 13 are on the left of the main area, with views of dunes; and the remaining 12 chalets, on the right of the main area, have mountain/canyon views.

All the chalets are very well linked by wooden walkways a few metres from the ground and each chalets is furnished in leather, dark wood and suede and has a large en-suite bathroom. The staggered chalets, looking like huts, ensure you can sit on your balcony in total privacy.

Situated within the park, guests benefit from being able to reach Sossusvlei before sunrise, and stay until after sunset. The lodge is also within walking distance of the Sesriem Canyon.

It's these privileges that sell this property. Although the lodge covers the basics, one should be prepared to sacrifice on standard for the added advantages of being the first or the last into the park.

Exclusive. Eclectic. Elegant. The Rez is a luxury boutique guesthouse with a contemporary feel. Hands down one of the best places to stay in the coastal town of Walvis Bay. The only thing missing is a view out over the lagoon, but being just 2kms away it is close enough for a stroll.

Modern and well decorated with Moroccan touches, this guesthouse punches well above its weight in comparison to the majority of other accommodation options in Walvis Bay. With Jason and Hugo as your hosts, you’re guaranteed the attention to detail that this type of establishment commands. On point.

Cosy and homely yet still respected in its opulence. Relaxed yet revered for its sense of sovereignty. From the outside to every detail within, it is beautiful.

A touch of class along with an extensive full English and continental breakfast every day. There’s little more that can be desired of a guesthouse with this stature. It ticks all the boxes. Welcome to Walvis Bay.

Ai Aiba, The Rock Painting Lodge is a modern African style lodge on the 200,000 hectare Erongo Mountain Nature Conservancy.

This comfortable lodge has 20 rooms in blocks of two with thatched roofs, private patios and en suite bathrooms with showers. Refurbed, the decor went from gaudy African in style to classic and contemporary. It's distinct and refined in light grays and neutrals with raw wood accents. It's really quite nice. A large pool is the focal point of the living area, itself an enormous open-fronted thatch building that houses the restaurant and bar. The view of the mountains from here is worth several gin and tonics.

A feature of the area, and indeed the lodge's own slogan, is the numerous ancient rock art sites, 120 to be exact, that add to the atmosphere of timeless serenity at Ai Aiba Lodge. Guided tours, day trips and walking trails make the most of these fascinating petroglyphs.

The setting is dramatic against an outcrop of granite boulders, the surrounds are serene and the mood is laid back and family-friendly. Go explore the Erongo Mountains, then simply relax and as night sets in, enjoy delicious dinner served with an excellent selection of wines. A fine place to stay in these parts, especially if you're interested in the history of the prehistoric rock formations and Bushman rock paintings.

Okaukuejo is one of only six lodges inside Etosha National Park. They are all in front of floodlit waterholes, the one at Okaukuejo being regarded as the best of the lot.

Okaukuejo (pronounced oka-KOO-yo) is a simple lodge with bungalows, a bar, a buffet restaurant, and a generous swimming pool. They have useful facilities like a filling station, a shop, and camping; it also houses the administrative and research offices of Etosha National Park.

One of only six lodges inside the park - all owned by the parastatal Namibia Wildlife Resorts - Okaukuejo has a floodlit waterhole that is famous for producing some spectacular wildlife action. Elephants, black rhino and lion frequent the permanent water source and they often do it at the same time.

You'll opt to stay here for the benefit of being inside the park, the accommodation and amenities are basic with the service and food fairly decent. Mind you if you're spending all your time enjoying the waterhole, then you'll happily overlook the rest. 

Namutoni is one of six safari lodges inside Etosha National Park. Overlooking a floodlit waterhole and Fisher's Pan, the game viewing comes first and the accommodation tries its best to catch up.

Namutoni is one of the few possible options to stay inside Etosha National Park and all of these lodges are owned and managed by the parastatal Namibia Wildlife Resorts.

Located on the eastern edge of the vast Etosha Pan and south of Fisher's Pan, Namutoni is a basic, no-frills lodge that overlooks a floodlit waterhole. The German fort around which it is built makes for a bizarre first encounter and the morning and evening bugle calls add to the surreality.

Accommodation is in bungalows of varying size or self-catering camping. The rooms are all air-conditioned and have en suite bathrooms. The large and popular pool is shaded by some grand Makalani palm trees and the lodge has a buffet restaurant and a well-stocked bar.

Witness conservation in action through our ecology, genetics and education programmes. With uninterrupted views of the Waterberg Plateau, the five room Cheetah View Lodge is the ideal setting for travellers who want to witness a world class conservation facility at work. Accommodation fees include breakfast plus a 15% discount off all cheetah activities, from cheetah drives to the popular cheetah runs. All proceeds from the lodge support the CCF's continuing efforts to save the cheetah, promote ethical farming and teach coexistence in Namibia.

Our Meal House offers a full service restaurant with an open-air veranda for lounging and wildlife viewing at the purpose-built waterhole. The large family room situated below the Meal House also overlooks the waterhole with similarly breathtaking views of the Waterberg Plateau in the distance.

The two guestroom buildings are split into individual suites each with their own private entrance and porch area.

The four standard suites include a double bedroom, bathroom with shower, and a lounge with sofa to accommodate up to two adults. The family room is larger and comfortably takes up to two adults and an additional two children on the sofa bed.

Cheetah View Lodge consists of three individual low rise buildings set among the acacia trees on the fringes of the CCF reserve.