Wolwedans Private Camp is the distilled essence of solitude, and a supreme spot in which to get away from it all. The vast desert landscapes surrounding the private Namibia safari camp invite moments of quiet reflection, while having your own exclusive-use tented villa means that your kids can run wild – in the best possible sense.
Wolwedans Private Camp | Family Safari | NamibRand Nature Reserve Private Namibia Safari Camp
The place
We’re not exactly fleeing a sea of troubles, but nevertheless all the minor irritations of modern life seem to fall away as we embark on our family voyage to the sea of sand that is Namibia’s NamibRand Nature Reserve. Level, ochre and yellow plains stretch out in every direction, until they’re broken by jagged, rocky hills. I’m sitting on one of the boulders that surround Private Camp, and although it’s still early in the morning, it’s warm to the touch. I watch as the sun’s rays chase the shadows across the valley floor, revealing a kaleidoscope of colours. There’s something very soothing about all this solitude, but I don’t mind when the silence is suddenly broken by kids’ voices – there’s no better sound than the happy laughter of children, especially when they’re yours. It’s a sound we’ll hear a lot over the next few days, as they delightedly explore their new backyard. Each new track and insect is eagerly exclaimed over, and I smile to think how much they’re learning without realising that this safari is equal parts educational and fun.
We’re not exactly fleeing a sea of troubles, but nevertheless all the minor irritations of modern life seem to fall away as we embark on our family voyage to the sea of sand that is Namibia’s NamibRand Nature Reserve. Level, ochre and yellow plains stretch out in every direction, until they’re broken by jagged, rocky hills. I’m sitting on one of the boulders that surround Private Camp, and although it’s still early in the morning, it’s warm to the touch. I watch as the sun’s rays chase the shadows across the valley floor, revealing a kaleidoscope of colours.
There’s something very soothing about all this solitude, but I don’t mind when the silence is suddenly broken by kids’ voices – there’s no better sound than the happy laughter of children, especially when they’re yours.
It’s a sound we’ll hear a lot over the next few days, as they delightedly explore their new backyard. Each new track and insect is eagerly exclaimed over, and I smile to think how much they’re learning without realising that this safari is equal parts educational and fun.
The rooms
With three en-suite bedrooms, this private Namibia safari camp is just perfect for our tribe. The two youngest can share a room next to ours, while our teenager (who’s new to the role, but growing into it) gets the privacy of the third bedroom. And what rooms they are – the endlessness of the landscape is perfectly mirrored in the open, airy design of our villa tent. Private decks with panoramic desert views are never more than a step or two away, and cooling breezes dance in and out, rippling the white mosquito nets. Those are really just for decoration – the fact that is a malaria-free area was another major drawcard. I run my hand across a piece of dark wooden furniture and sense its solidity. It’s almost as though it’s needed to weigh down the villa and anchor this ship of dreams to the rocks. Yielding to the entreaties of my partner, I kick off my sandals to feel the warmth of the deck and the smooth concrete around the plunge pool. I dip in a toe and smile as I notice that my youngest is using the binoculars the wrong way around.
With three en-suite bedrooms, this private Namibia safari camp is just perfect for our tribe. The two youngest can share a room next to ours, while our teenager (who’s new to the role, but growing into it) gets the privacy of the third bedroom.
And what rooms they are – the endlessness of the landscape is perfectly mirrored in the open, airy design of our villa tent. Private decks with panoramic desert views are never more than a step or two away, and cooling breezes dance in and out, rippling the white mosquito nets. Those are really just for decoration – the fact that is a malaria-free area was another major drawcard. I run my hand across a piece of dark wooden furniture and sense its solidity. It’s almost as though it’s needed to weigh down the villa and anchor this ship of dreams to the rocks.
Yielding to the entreaties of my partner, I kick off my sandals to feel the warmth of the deck and the smooth concrete around the plunge pool. I dip in a toe and smile as I notice that my youngest is using the binoculars the wrong way around.
What sets it apart
What sets Private Camp apart, is the fact that it’s set apart! It’s not just our own fold of the valley, it’s our private universe and we’re already having fun renaming all the surrounding hills after the cartoon characters they (don’t really) look like. Private activities mean we can enjoy nature walks, drives and more on a whim, without having to coordinate our plans with those of any other guests. The ultimate scheduling luxury is having no schedule, and in this timeless landscape of a million yesterdays, we’ve found a place where not just watches, but tablets and headphones can be cast aside. Tomorrow’s tech fades into insignificance when we can all just be, together, in the present.
What sets Private Camp apart, is the fact that it’s set apart! It’s not just our own fold of the valley, it’s our private universe and we’re already having fun renaming all the surrounding hills after the cartoon characters they (don’t really) look like.
Private activities mean we can enjoy nature walks, drives and more on a whim, without having to coordinate our plans with those of any other guests. The ultimate scheduling luxury is having no schedule, and in this timeless landscape of a million yesterdays, we’ve found a place where not just watches, but tablets and headphones can be cast aside. Tomorrow’s tech fades into insignificance when we can all just be, together, in the present.
At a glance
- Private tented villa set in an idyllic valley in Namibia’s NamibRand Nature Reserve, with sweeping desert views encompassing golden yellow plains and rugged hills. Sleeps six in three bedrooms.
- Exclusive-use camp, private dining and private activities can be arranged for complete flexibility of daily schedules (additional cost).
- Scenic drives, scenic flights (additional cost), hot-air ballooning (additional cost), walking safaris, village tours, swimming, spa treatments (additional cost), star beds (additional cost) and horse riding (additional cost).
- Children of all ages welcome. Private camp ideal for families. No specific kids’ activities but booking private experiences gives total flexibility.
- Private tented villa set in an idyllic valley in Namibia’s NamibRand Nature Reserve, with sweeping desert views encompassing golden yellow plains and rugged hills. Sleeps six in three bedrooms.
- Exclusive-use camp, private dining and private activities can be arranged for complete flexibility of daily schedules (additional cost).
- Scenic drives, scenic flights (additional cost), hot-air ballooning (additional cost), walking safaris, village tours, swimming, spa treatments (additional cost), star beds (additional cost) and horse riding (additional cost).
- Children of all ages welcome. Private camp ideal for families. No specific kids’ activities but booking private experiences gives total flexibility.
Prices
- Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
- It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
- Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
- However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.
- Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
- It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
- Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
- However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.
Gallery
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Private Camp is surrounded by mysterious fairy circles. © Wolwedans
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Private Camp’s bedrooms open up to the outdoors. © Wolwedans
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Zebra often pass right by Private Camp. © Wolwedans
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Private Camp has three bedrooms. © Wolwedans
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Private Camp’s bathrooms face out over the wilderness. © Wolwedans
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Sip wine as the light changes over the mountains near Private Camp. © Wolwedans
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Private Camp’s dining room is open sided. © Wolwedans
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Relax with a good book in Private Camp’s lounge. © Wolwedans
When to Go
Namibia’s cooler and drier winter season is definitely the best time to visit Sossusvlei. Crisp clear mornings and evenings are preferred for getting active, especially if you’re keen to hike up some of the towering dunes. Early starts are also recommended for the best photographic opportunities, with cloudless skies ensuring that the saturated colours of the sand formations are at their most intense. The complete lack of rainfall in this winter season means that you’ll experience nothing but the stark, undiluted beauty of Sossusvlei.
A luxury Sossusvlei safari is also very possible in the hot summer, with luxury lodges having many tactics for making the heat manageable. This time of year tends to be less busy, so you’ll have an even more enhanced sense of solitude as you explore Sossusvlei and the surrounding areas. It also means that you could be one of very few people ever to have witnessed the near-miraculous transformation of Sossusvlei after a summer rainstorm. Cooler year-round conditions at Skeleton Coast offer the possibility of a combined itinerary.
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