In so saying, you will recognise the heavy-set four-poster beds with wispy drapes, the teak furniture and the leather sofas from the early styles of African safaris. You probably won't recognise the white canvas stretched over a timber framework to form the sides and roof of this open-plan private villa. Those walls, blonde as the grass-covered plains, all but disappear to reveal the extraordinary vista that surrounds you.
Wolwedans Plains Camp (previously Wolwedans Private Camp) is an exclusive villa in a private valley in the NamibRand Nature Reserve that covers over 170,000ha of the pristine Namib Desert in southern Namibia.
With complete luxury in furnishings comes complete luxury in service. The plains camp has a fully equipped kitchen supplied with the ingredients of your choice; or you can let your personal chef deliver his five-course creations to your starlit dinner table. At Wolwedans Plains Camp you will have a butler, house manager, chef and the option of a personal safari guide and vehicle for the duration of your visit.
Of all the properties belonging to the Wolwedans collection, Plains Camp is by far the most exclusive villa, catering for up to 8 guests. It's your very own private retreat and all around you, nothing but pure beauty and natural wilderness. Ideal for a family or group travelling together, it offers privacy and solitude. You'll feel like the entire reserve belongs to you for the two nights (or more) that you call this home.
Game viewing; birding; nature walks; scenic drives; sundowners; village tour; E-biking and Bushman walks. Hot air ballooning; scenic flights; massages; horse riding - all at an additional cost. These must be booked in advance.
Game viewing is surprisingly productive for a land so dry with many desert species to discover including gemsbok (oryx), springbok, ostrich, zebra and a host of birds and smaller creatures.
Wolwedans Lodges now offer incredible new ways to experience the magic of the Namib Desert. The Desert Sleep Out lets you spend a night under a blanket of stars, surrounded by pure stillness. For a more intimate escape, the Star Bed at Dune Camp offers a private open-air sleep experience with unbeatable stargazing. If you're craving true peace and quiet, the Silence & Solitude Experience gives you the chance to fully disconnect and soak in the beauty of nature like never before.
Sustainability is at the heart of Wolwedans, recognised as a Global Ecosphere Retreat by The Long Run. The lodge promotes a holistic approach to conservation that enhances livelihoods and fosters intercultural dialogue. During the Covid lockdown in 2020, Stephen Brückner established The AridEden Project to balance people, planet, and profit in all of Wolwedans' initiatives.
Guests contribute to sustainability through a nightly Sustainability Levy, which includes a park fee and supports the Wolwedans Foundation’s 5C’s Sustainability framework. The lodge employs an all-Namibian team and runs the Desert Academy for hospitality training, alongside various skills development projects. It also contributes to the conservation of the NamibRand Nature Reserve, promoting sustainable tourism and community resilience.
The Wolwedans Foundation focuses on long-term community outreach and education, providing accredited qualifications to young Namibians in hospitality and culinary arts. This initiative has supported over 300 trainees through the Desert Academy and the Nice Academy. The Foundation levy on guest invoices helps fund vocational training and community upliftment, reflecting Wolwedans' commitment to inspiring a sustainable and inclusive approach to tourism.
"We can't wait to return"
I can't thank you enough for helping to put together this trip. It exceeded all our expectations and we fell in love with your country.
"We loved our experience with NTS"
We loved Namibia and its unique landscapes and kind people. It was certainly an adventure and a privilege to get to spend time there.
"We had a wonderful time in Namibia"
All in all we had a wonderful time and appreciate the effort made to ensure all aspects of our tour ran smoothly with prompt email support where needed.
"What a wonderful journey we had in beautiful and friendly Namibia!"
Namibia has stolen our travel-heart and you can consider us as new ambassadors of this spectacular country.
