Hoanib Elephant Camp, opening in May 2026, offers guests the rare opportunity to witness one of Africa’s most extraordinary adaptations and become fully immersed in the world of these resilient animals. In the rugged heart of Namibia’s Kaokoland, where towering mountains meet dry riverbeds, desert-adapted elephants roam freely, tracing ancient paths in search of water and food.
The under canvas Eco-friendly camp is set in one of the most remote and remarkable areas of Namibia’s untamed northwest. For adventured travelers who seek both wild desert immersion and understated luxury. All while treading lightly on the earth. The camp embraces the vast desert landscape. From every corner in camp there is the constant companionship of expansive desert views and endless skies.
At the heart of this camp is the main area which includes a lounge and dining room, spacious outdoor deck with a swimming pool, a small wellness spa, and a fire pit under the stars. Perfect for gathering and storytelling.
Made for those who seek the road less traveled. This camp is your base for raw desert exploration. Whether tracking the elusive desert adapted wildlife, engaging with the vibrant Himba tribe, driving to the Skeleton Coast, or simply taking in the magnitude of each sunset. Here you’ll discover desert escapism that only a privileged few get to discover.
Powered entirely by solar energy and supported by a full water treatment system, the camp runs sustainably and is built using Eco-conscious materials and methods to maintain a gentle footprint. This means there is power but no hairdryers as they draw too much power. Battery charging facilities are in the main area & in rooms. WiFi is available.
We will add images of the camp once they are available.
The 10 spacious guest rooms (comprising of 8 twin/double and 2 family units) are each thoughtfully designed with exceptional comfort, stunning desert views and sustainability in mind. A combination of insulated canvas and rammed earth walls, glass doors plus standing fans and air-conditioners, keep the tents comfortable.
Elevated on low wooden decks, the tents have private plunge pools on their spacious decks. The en suite bathrooms have double vanities, as well as both indoor and outdoor showers.
The 2 x family rooms have a king bed and 2 single beds. Children of all ages are welcome. Children from 12 years may join the walk & rhino tracking.
The Hoanib Valley
The Hoanib Valley is one of the most remote safari destinations in Africa. Here you’ll find the Hoanib River. An ephemeral river (seasonal, mostly dry) that runs through arid mountains and ancient dry riverbeds. Occasionally flowing during the rainy season. It’s a land characterized by rolling dunes, rocky mountains and desert plains. All crisscrossed by ancient, dry riverbeds, and the dusty roads of the area. Temporary Himba settlements dot the landscape, and scattered herds of desert adapted elephant and giraffe are a common sight.Although parts of the land have been designated ‘concession areas’ tourism is still limited, making a visit to this unspoiled corner rare.
The wildlife of the Hoanib Valley is perfectly at home in the semi-arid environment. And learning about their survival techniques is fascinating.
Just beyond the mountains and shifting dunes lies the hauntingly beautiful Skeleton Coast. A place of fog covered beaches, rusting shipwrecks, and colonies of Cape fur seals. This sweep of coastline along the Namibian Atlantic is both desolate and breathtaking. Beneath the seemingly barren exterior lies a vibrant tapestry of flora and fauna that has adapted to thrive here. Along with the many desert adapted creatures, and enchanting desert succulents and lichens that thrive here.
Activities at Hoanib Elephant Camp
Game Drives
Go on morning and evening game drives in search of the desert wildlife. And rare fauna and flora that have been clever enough to adapt to survive in the desert. Game drives will reveal a remarkable array of desert adapted elephant, as well as stately desert adapted giraffe. And, if you’re very lucky, desert lion. Zebra, klipspringer and kudu move freely through the mountains. You’ll find hardy herds of springbok and oryx. As well as steenbok picking their way across the dust blown landscapes.
Lions
The region is also home to free ranging black rhino, and a day (or even a morning or an afternoon) tracking the magnificent beasts is an absolute must.
Bird watchers, keep your eyes peeled for Monteiro’s horn-bills or Ruppell’s korhaans in the valleys. And the imperious Verreaux’s eagle in the mountains.
Near the camp there is a thriving waterhole that draws an array of wildlife, including desert lion, giraffe, oryx, and the elusive brown hyena. Each sighting a testament to nature’s resilience and the incredible adaptability of life in the desert.
Oryx
Cultural Visit
Visit the local Himba tribe, to understand how they have adapted to survive in the desert. Their traditions and cultures are fascinating.
Nature Walks
Experience this remote and wild landscape on foot, seeing first hand how the desert adapted animals survive in this harsh environment.
Rhino Tracking
Rangers will take you to find the resident black rhino that live here. Learn how to track them and how they are kept safe.
Scenic Sun downers
Behind ancient riverbeds and towering mountains you’ll stop to witness how every single day the sun has a way of taking your breath away!
Stargazing
Experience some of the clearest, darkest night skies in Africa whilst dining under the stars. A reminder of just how remote and wild this corner of the world is.
Conservation and impact
Built in partnership with the Sesfontein Conservancy, Hoanib Elephant Camp is part of a long term vision to protect this fragile ecosystem while creating meaningful opportunities for the surrounding communities through regenerative tourism practices.
The camp strongly supports conservation projects focused on the desert elephants who face unique challenges, including habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. Your stay will contribute directly to conservation efforts and community upliftment. Ensuring that both people and wildlife benefit from your presence.
When you visit, you will be directly supporting the following Natural Selection conservation initiatives:
Black Rhino Relocation Program
We support black rhino relocation in Namibia’s Kunene region, expanding their range and working with Save the Rhino Trust to protect this critically endangered species into the future.
Desert Dwelling Giraffe Conservation
Focusing on the awareness of giraffe declines in Africa and the continued conservation of desert dwelling giraffes in Northwest Namibia.
When to visit Hoanib Elephant Camp
Hoanib Elephant Camp is open year round, but the two seasons (green season and dry season) offer two remarkably different experiences.
The summer months of December to March are the green season. When the rain comes, the rocky landscapes are transformed into a rich, emerald carpet. And, depending on the level of rainfall, the dry riverbeds flow (albeit briefly) with life giving water. Dramatic sunsets are littered with heavy clouds, and short bursts of rain clear the dust from the air. It’s fresh, vivid, and although temperatures can be high, it’s a lovely time of year to visit.
Then the rain stops, and the land dries slowly into its iconic, desert state. Midwinter (May to July), brings chilly temperatures in the mornings and evenings (that’s where the warm jacket comes in) but as the season progresses the temperatures rise steadily. By October, the land is at its driest and the temperature at its warmest. As the desert elephant begin to congregate around the last drops of water in the river valleys, you’ll be rewarded with some truly incredible sights.
How to get to Hoanib Elephant Camp
The camp itself is located on the northern bank of the Hoanib River, 70km southwest of Sesfontein and just 25km downriver from Hoanib Valley Camp. This new camp sits in the heart of the Sesfontein Community Conservancy in Kaokoland.
There is an airstrip about 1 hour, 30 minutes drive away from camp*. Alternatively, there are road transfers available from Windhoek. Self driver’s can make their way to Sesfontein, and from there, will be transferred into camp.
*For easy access to this remote area there will soon be a new airstrip only about 5 minutes from camp.
*Long stay rates cannot be combined with any other special offers. They exclude Uncharted Expeditions Camp and Shipwreck Lodge. However, any nights booked at these camps will qualify towards the minimum night stay.
2026 Hoanib Elephant Camp Rates in Namibian Dollars
Luxury Room
Per Person Sharing
Single Supplement
Green Season:
10th January – 31st March
–
Closed
Shoulder Season:
1st – 30th April
1-5 Nights
$ 20 675
N$ 8 270
6-7 Nights
N$ 18 608
N$ 7 443
8 Nights+
N$ 17 574
N$ 7 030
Shoulder High Season
1st – 31st May
1-5 Nights
N$ 22 435
N$ 8 974
6-7 Nights
N$ 21 313
N$ 8 525
8 Nights+
N$ 20 192
N$ 8 077
Shoulder Season:
1st – 30th June
1-5 Nights
N$ 20 675
N$ 8 270
6-7 Nights
N$ 18 608
N$ 7 443
8 Nights+
N$ 17 574
N$ 7 030
Peak Season:
1st July – 31st August
1-5 Nights
N$ 28 595
N$ 11 438
6-7 Nights
N$ 27 165
N$ 10 866
8 Nights+
N$ 27 165
N$ 10 866
High Season:
1st September – 31st October
1-5 Nights
N$ 24 795
N$ 9 918
6-7 Nights
N$ 23 555
N$ 9 422
8 Nights+
N$ 22 316
N$ 8 926
Shoulder Season:
1st November – 19th December
1-5 Nights
N$ 20 675
N$0
6-7 Nights
N$ 18 608
8 Nights+
N$ 17 574
High Season:
20th December 2026 – 9th January2027
1-5 Nights
N$ 24 795
N$ 9 918
6-7 Nights
N$ 23 555
N$ 9 422
8 Nights+
N$ 22 316
N$ 8 926
NB: *Single Supplement Waiver: 10th January – 31st March and 1st November – 19th December.
Rates are per person per night and include:
Accommodation,
All meals & beverages,
WiFi,
Guest laundry,
Daily activities,
Airstrip transfers,
Guiding,
Park entry fees and VAT.
Rates Exclude:
Premium brand drinks,
Community, Conservation and Reserve Fee,
Gratuities and fully comprehensive personal travel insurance.
Hoanib Elephant Camp Special Offers
Take advantage of these Hoanib Valley Camp extra discounts valid all year 2025 and 2026 (except where otherwise mentioned).
Honeymoon Special
One spouse receives 50% off the accommodation rate at camps in Namibia (excludes Shipwreck Lodge and Safari House) and Botswana (excluding Jack’s Private Camp, Planet Baobab and the Okavango Spirit).
Natural Selection’s portfolio in Botswana and Namibia.
Offer is valid all year for an unlimited number of nights and will apply up to 12 months from the date of marriage.
Proof of marriage is required.
Stay 3, Pay 2 Offer at Hoanib Valley Camp or Hoanib Elephant Camp
Book 3 nights at either Hoanib Valley Camp or Hoanib Elephant Camp, in combination with at least 3 nights at any other Natural Selection Namibia property (including Shipwreck Lodge) get 1 of the nights at the Hoanib camp for free.
Excluding Peak Season: 1st July – 31st August 2026.
Hotel Zum Kaiser is a small luxury hotel that offers direct access to the beach and the town’s vibrant street life; with its quaint architecture, shopping, and fine dining.
