A peaceful camp off the beaten track, Damaraland Camp is an isolated and eco-friendly property overlooking the peaks of the Etendeka Mountains. With a classic safari feel and a warm, soothing atmosphere, the camp is a true desert retreat with the added opportunity to spot desert-adapted elephants.
Awarded: Bronze
Location
Surrounded by a collection of low hills, Damaraland is nestled in the heart of the Huab River Valley. A partnership between Wilderness Safaris and the Torra Conservancy, the lodge is somewhat of an inspiration throughout Africa and is built to be as eco-friendly as possible within its desert surrounds. The camp is eight hours from the capital Windhoek and sits within a rugged and remote landscape accessed by bumpy, gravel roads. The best way to get here is to fly into the private airstrip.
Rooms
There are ten chalets at Damaraland raised on wooden decks to protect the natural vegetation. Split across two levels and with tall ceilings, each chalet is spacious with well-designed interiors providing a light, airy feel to the spaces and decorated in soft cream and beige tones. Behind the twin beds are large dressing areas and a writing desk with a reading lamp. From the bedroom, big en-suite bathrooms boast showers, which have mesh windows that can be rolled down.
Communal Areas
In the main area, guests will find a lounge with deep sofas covered in cushions, a cosy fireplace, a dining area with a long communal table and a bar. Drinks are often taken around the campfire under blankets and meals can be enjoyed in the outside ‘boma’, a short walk from camp along paper lantern-lit walkways. A curio shop and a library are also onsite. Across from the main area is the wonderful oval-shaped swimming pool, surrounded by loungers and fronted by a poolside lounge looking out towards the Etendeka Mountains.
Activities
Take morning and afternoon safari drives to visit herds of desert-adapted elephants frequenting the dry riverbed of Huab River or explore the recently discovered petrified forest. Nature walks along the Shepherds Trail and the Damarana Trail are very rewarding and guests can also choose half-day excursions to Twyfelfontein World Heritage Site to view rock art.
Fully inclusive
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread out.
A season of change as the landscape transforms into a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals. Wildlife is however well spread making game viewing difficult.
Like the rest of Namibia, Damaraland has very distinct wet and dry seasons; the wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur from November through to early May, the rest of the year is dry. Although Damaraland can be visited throughout the year, we would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining waterholes. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread out.
A season of change as the landscape transforms into a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals. Wildlife is however well spread making game viewing difficult.
Like the rest of Namibia, Damaraland has very distinct wet and dry seasons; the wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur from November through to early May, the rest of the year is dry. Although Damaraland can be visited throughout the year, we would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining waterholes. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread out.
A season of change as the landscape transforms into a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals. Wildlife is however well spread making game viewing difficult.
Like the rest of Namibia, Damaraland has very distinct wet and dry seasons; the wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur from November through to early May, the rest of the year is dry. Although Damaraland can be visited throughout the year, we would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining waterholes. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
This is the end of the wet season, with showers less likely as the month progresses.
A season of change as the landscape transforms into a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals. Wildlife is however well spread making game viewing difficult.
Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 28°C/79°F midday, while the nights average a chilly 16°C/61°F.
Like the rest of Namibia, Damaraland has very distinct wet and dry seasons; the wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur from November through to early May, the rest of the year is dry. Although Damaraland can be visited throughout the year, we would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining waterholes. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies and dry conditions dominate, the landscape returns to its semi-arid state as the drought continues. This is the best safari period in Damaraland as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water holes.
Midday temperatures are suprisingly cool, averaging around 25°C/73°F, while nice temperatures average a low of 10°C/50°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
Like the rest of Namibia, Damaraland has very distinct wet and dry seasons; the wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur from November through to early May, the rest of the year is dry. Although Damaraland can be visited throughout the year, we would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining waterholes. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies and dry conditions dominate, the landscape returns to its semi-arid state as the drought continues. This is the best safari period in Damaraland as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water holes.
Midday temperatures are suprisingly cool, averaging around 25°C/73°F, while nice temperatures average a low of 10°C/50°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
Like the rest of Namibia, Damaraland has very distinct wet and dry seasons; the wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur from November through to early May, the rest of the year is dry. Although Damaraland can be visited throughout the year, we would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining waterholes. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies and dry conditions dominate, the landscape returns to its semi-arid state as the drought continues. This is the best safari period in Damaraland as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water holes.
Midday temperatures are suprisingly cool, averaging around 25°C/73°F, while nice temperatures average a low of 10°C/50°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
Like the rest of Namibia, Damaraland has very distinct wet and dry seasons; the wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur from November through to early May, the rest of the year is dry. Although Damaraland can be visited throughout the year, we would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining waterholes. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies and dry conditions dominate, the landscape returns to its semi-arid state as the drought continues. This is the best safari period in Damaraland as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water holes.
Midday temperatures are suprisingly cool, averaging around 25°C/73°F, while nice temperatures average a low of 10°C/50°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
Like the rest of Namibia, Damaraland has very distinct wet and dry seasons; the wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur from November through to early May, the rest of the year is dry. Although Damaraland can be visited throughout the year, we would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining waterholes. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Game viewing can be fantastic during September and October; temperatures continue to rise before the start of the rains, with average midday temperatures 28°C/81°F, it is however not uncommon for much warmer days than this.
Like the rest of Namibia, Damaraland has very distinct wet and dry seasons; the wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur from November through to early May, the rest of the year is dry. Although Damaraland can be visited throughout the year, we would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining waterholes. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Game viewing can be fantastic during September and October; temperatures continue to rise before the start of the rains, with average midday temperatures 28°C/81°F, it is however not uncommon for much warmer days than this.
Like the rest of Namibia, Damaraland has very distinct wet and dry seasons; the wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur from November through to early May, the rest of the year is dry. Although Damaraland can be visited throughout the year, we would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining waterholes. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
The start of the wet season, with the occasional short sharp thunderstorm. Temperatures are quite hot, averaging 30°C/86°F midday, while the nights average 20°C/68°F. During this period the park transforms into a lush green landscape, a stark contrast to the dry season.
Like the rest of Namibia, Damaraland has very distinct wet and dry seasons; the wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur from November through to early May, the rest of the year is dry. Although Damaraland can be visited throughout the year, we would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining waterholes. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
The start of the wet season, with the occasional short sharp thunderstorm. Temperatures are quite hot, averaging 30°C/86°F midday, while the nights average 20°C/68°F. During this period the park transforms into a lush green landscape, a stark contrast to the dry season.
Like the rest of Namibia, Damaraland has very distinct wet and dry seasons; the wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur from November through to early May, the rest of the year is dry. Although Damaraland can be visited throughout the year, we would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining waterholes. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
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What People Say
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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!
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Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...
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Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!
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Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!
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Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.
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Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars
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We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.
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Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.
