If you yearn to leave the mundane, indoor, digital world behind and immerse yourself in a stark, elemental, analogue wilderness, then this hidden retreat should be top of your African wishlist. It was born of a Frenchman's love for the amazing landscapes of the region where the Namib desert runs up to meet the Naukluft mountains. He chose an isolated corner of remote land (with a farmhouse), then crafted a wood and stone Rustic Cabin in such a way that it seems born of the savannah which surrounds it to all sides.
A decade later he bequeathed this dream to the owners of a nearby hotel; then in 2023 it gained a more contemporary, stylish sister - the wildly romantic Honeymoon Hideaway. Both of these 1-bedroom boltholes are made for contemplation, romance and star-gazing (locals call them KuanguKuangu, from the Ovambo word for Milky Way). The lunar terrain around is hauntingly beautiful and ever-changing - and, thanks to all-glass frontage, you feel wedded to it. Staying here is a simple but spell-binding experience, one to savour for many years to come.
Highs
- You can choose to self-cater or eat at the nearby Barkhan Dune Retreat, where great food and conversation are guaranteed
- The retreat has no less than 4000 hectares of estate waiting to be explored on foot or by 4x4
- Manager Lisé is the kindest of hosts, with a deep understanding of the country and its people
- The Rustic Cabin is genuinely eco: solar powered, with a simple rocket boiler, and bathroom open to the elements
- The Honeymoon Hideaway, meanwhile, feels shiny and sleek, with long, elevated views from its wraparound deck
Lows
- You could go for days without seeing another human being, although you can spot plenty of animal and bird life
- If you want to self-cater, you'll need to bring in your own supplies - there are no shops for miles around
- It can get very hot here during the summer months
- Although it looks close to the NamibRand Reserve on the map, it's still 2 hours' drive away (just about day-trippable)
Best time to go
It depends what else is on your Namibian itinerary: if you've come for the game this will probably mean being here well after the rainy season at some time between May and September. This is also when temperatures are coolest and most suited for walking in the Rantberge mountains.
If booking the Rustic Cabin, bear in mind that showering beneath the stars could be less appealing in the colder months of June and July, when nighttime temperatures regularly drop below 10ºC.
If booking the Rustic Cabin, bear in mind that showering beneath the stars could be less appealing in the colder months of June and July, when nighttime temperatures regularly drop below 10ºC.
Our top tips
Bring the right equipment: good sunglasses, sunhat, swimming costume, hiking shoes as well as sandals, cool clothes for the heat of the day, but also warm clothes and at least one very warm jacket for evenings. If you wear contact lenses, bring glasses in case of dust irritation. Keen birders will want binoculars and a copy of Newman’s Birds. We'd also recommend bringing insect repellent, a high factor suncream and a basic medical kit.
You choose between cooking your own meals up at the cabin or dining at Barchan Dune Retreat, which is a 10-minute walk away. The chances are that you'll only be here for 2-3 nights, so we'd recommend you do both: it would be a shame not to have at least one meal beneath the stars at the cabin.
If you don't fancy shopping before you arrive (which in practical terms would mean in Windhoek, Walvis Bay or Solitaire) you can order a braai pack for your first night which will include sausages and meat for the barbecue, potatoes with garlic butter as well as salad and dessert: wine or beer can also be picked up at the main lodge.
You choose between cooking your own meals up at the cabin or dining at Barchan Dune Retreat, which is a 10-minute walk away. The chances are that you'll only be here for 2-3 nights, so we'd recommend you do both: it would be a shame not to have at least one meal beneath the stars at the cabin.
If you don't fancy shopping before you arrive (which in practical terms would mean in Windhoek, Walvis Bay or Solitaire) you can order a braai pack for your first night which will include sausages and meat for the barbecue, potatoes with garlic butter as well as salad and dessert: wine or beer can also be picked up at the main lodge.