Camp Kipwe
Damaraland

Camp Kipwe is a starkly beautiful and magnificently remote luxury lodge nestled within the giant granite boulders of Namibia's arid Twyfelfontein Conservancy, home to many ancient Bushman etchings. Acting as a cave-like sanctuary, this dome-roofed eco lodge is like an extension of the rocks themselves, surrounded by expansive views of Damaland’s dramatic desert landscape and the transient Aba Huab riverbed. Sister camp to the nearby Mowani Mountain Camp and Onguma Camp in Etosha, Camp Kikwe is a hidden gem for couples and families looking for an intimate and unusual safari in a breath-taking setting.

Each of the nine thatched bungalows are tastefully decorated in understated but quirky style, with natural touches like rocks embedded in the floor, animals carved into the wood (mirroring the region’s famous engravings), partially outdoor bathrooms and wrap-around wooden decks overlooking the spectacular landscape. The camp has one suite, which is a large thatched-roofed space with an air-conditioned lounge with satellite television, a double room with en-suite bathroom with a freestanding bath, and a large deck where meals can be served in complete privacy.

The atmosphere at Camp Kipwe is relaxed and the facilities include a large alfresco dining area at the centre of the camp, a delightful lounge, a bar and reception with a fireplace to warm up in the evenings, and a swimming pool hidden amongst the rocks to cool down in during the day. Guests can also climb the 100 steps to the camp’s sundowner viewpoint to watch the large African sun disappear.

Camp Kipwe is perfectly placed for enjoying the unique activities of this region – head off on a very special safari to search for desert-adapted elephants; travel back in time to explore the geological rarities and rock engravings which have made Twyfelfontein Namibia's first World Heritage Site; hike along the Aba Huab River and enjoy guided nature walks to discover the flora and fauna endemic to this area; and explore the mysterious Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain.

I just wish the world was twice as big and half of it was still unexplored.
David Attenborough