South of the NamibRand Reserve, with the Tiras Mountains to the east and the dunes to the west, ahead an endless desert dotted with whisps of grass and quiver trees, the setting is an instant prize-winning photograph.

Quiet and isolated, you’re more likely to see a greater number of kudu, springbok and oryx than people, which speaks multitudes since the Namib Desert is not exactly Namibia’s number one safari destination (we’ve got Etosha for that). It’s all about the landscape and Kanaan Desert Retreat gets a winning vote from us on that front.

Despite being in the desert, you might even catch a glimpse of caracal, hyena, bat-eared fox or jackal and if you’ve ever come across a picture of a cheetah on a dune, it’s likely been taken here. Kanaan Desert Retreat is part of the Naankuse Collection and their Carnivore Ecology Research Program. Cheetahs are introduced to the 33,000 ha reserve for rehabilitation and release. Kanaan is the ideal location for research on human-wildlife conflict mitigation, a large part of their volunteer program and for you - the perfect place to learn about it and find yourself lost in nature to comprehend it all.

With only eight tented chalets in the extreme middle of nowhere, it's just you and that incredible view. Stark, simple and well-adapted to their environment, nothing stands out here, except of course the experience, which is hard to beat.

For hikers, photographers and lovers of nature, Kanaan Desert Retreat is not to be missed. If you’ve ever pictured yourself in a quiet place to contemplate the meaning of life, this may well be it.