Etosha Village

Sitting on the fringes of Etosha National Park, the camp is surrounded by the wild beauty for which Namibia is famous. The area is particularly dense with forests of mopani trees, which are broken up by shrubby savannah, salt pans and watering holes, where lions, elephants and zebra gather to drink.

Etosha Village’s luxurious huts combine an earthy rusticity with high levels of comfort and a design which pays homage to the natural world outside – think zebra-print cushions, light shades and bookshelves adorned with gnarled wood, and photography on the walls depicting lions and other local residents. The en-suite bathrooms are stylish and modern, with showers and hot water, but in keeping with the theme of immersion in the natural world, rooms do not feature TVs or internet connections – wi-fi is available in communal areas, however. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can forgo the huts altogether and stay in a tent in the large campsite.

The friendly restaurant at Etosha Village is modelled around a traditional village dining area, with an open-plan, round design which lends itself well to socializing with your fellow guests.

Breakfast is served on a buffet basis, taking the form of a hearty spread of fresh fruit, yoghurt, pastries, and cooked dishes accompanied by coffee and tea – just the thing to energize you for a day out in the bush. Lunch is a la carte, or you can enjoy a barbecue in the great outdoors, while dinner is another extensive buffet, with spicy stir-fries, juicy grilled meats and more.

For an unforgettable dining experience, bush dinners can be enjoyed out in the forest.

The camp’s outdoor pool is a lovely place to cool off in the afternoon, surrounded by a neat lawn shaded by ancient trees. In addition to the main pool, there are two smaller ones especially for kids to play in.

You can pick up the perfect souvenir at the camp’s on-site boutique, which sells curios and local handicrafts, while the reception area is a great place to relax and enjoy a game of chess.

The natural world is the star of the show here, with game drives and guided walks the most popular ways of exploring the wilderness.

A great way to start the day is with a sunrise guided walk, with an expert naturalist leading you through the mopani forest and pointing out the local flora and fauna.

A morning or full-day game drive will see you spot lions, zebras, rhinos and elephants, among other iconic African fauna, while a sundowner drive is a particularly scenic way to end the day, finishing high up in the hills where you can watch the sun go down over the forest. The excitement doesn’t end at sunset, though – the clear skies of Etosha make for fantastic stargazing.