Boutique hotels in Namibia

Namibia is one of the emptiest countries on earth, a land of red dunes, gravel plains and a fog-bound Atlantic coast. Most of the best places to stay are small, owner-run or conservation-minded lodges that make the most of the scenery and the night sky, some of it protected as International Dark Sky Reserve.

The desert

Sossusvlei and the Namib-Naukluft are the headline attraction, with towering red dunes that glow at dawn. Lodges here range from glass and brick villas to semi-tented camps with private access to the park. Further north, Damaraland has rugged mountains, desert-adapted elephants and a community-owned eco-camp.

Coast and wildlife

Swakopmund is a German-influenced seaside town with a cool climate and adventure activities, and Walvis Bay is famed for its lagoon and flamingos. The Skeleton Coast is remote and wild, with shipwrecks on its beaches and a few exclusive camps. Etosha, in the north, is the country's main wildlife park, with waterholes that draw elephants, lions and rhinos.

Cities and the south

Windhoek is a compact capital with small guesthouses, and Lüderitz is a quiet Art Nouveau port beside a ghost town. In the south, Fish River Canyon is one of the world's largest canyons.

When to go

The dry months from May to October are best for wildlife, particularly Etosha. Summer is very hot, and the northern rains arrive between December and March. Namibia has long distances and gravel roads, so allow plenty of time.