Raised walkways wind through the trees to connect palatial tented suites with the mothership - an enormous open-air living space looking far out over the vast floodplain.
The reasons for such lofty living quarters, apart from the excitement and romance of an elevated existence and an exquisite sunset, are mostly practical.
The Kwando floodplain, like the rest of the Kalahari basin, is flatter than the Flat Earth Society could ever conceive and they’d do well to camp out in this endless wilderness for some serious data-gathering. Trouble is, they’d come away with the firm belief that our planet is actually a giant shrub.
Unless they checked into the Nambwa Tented Lodge that is.
From up here you can see Earth’s extent in all its uncurved natural glory. Elephants, joined by a parade of plains game, pass beneath you en route to their favourite drinking spot just in front of the main lodge and campfire-charmed viewing deck. A glass of wine wouldn’t go amiss in this scene and nor would a comfortable chair, a pair of binos and a smiling someone to refill your glass.
If all that sounds too energetic, you can take a guided bush walk for that strange sensation of being connected to the ground or, another must, a river safari (also elevated) and of course the good old game drive in an open-sided vehicle. A cultural detour to the Lozi village reveals the beauty of a world free of cars, fast food, daytime TV and, shudder, alarm clocks. Bush breakfasts, starlit dinners and sundowners by the river are the stuff of lasting memories, especially if a herd of ellies or a bunch of buffaloes pop in to say howzit.
And on the topic of animals, the Bwabwata National Park is part of the five-country Peace Park known as the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. Whichever catchy moniker you pick, you’re in one of the world’s largest nature sanctuaries and the wildlife experience in the drier months is exceptional; the wetter, greener season is all about the birding, the calving and the lush scenery.
Guided game viewing by boat, safari vehicle and on foot; Lozi village visit; bush breakfasts and dinners; sundowner aperitifs on the river bank.
Notes: activities are not included in your accommodation price; read more about Namibia's game viewing seasons.