Hoanib Valley Camp is in the Sesfontein Community Conservancy Area, Kaokoland, in the very remote northwest of Namibia. The camp sits on the bank of the Obias River, overlooking the Hoanib River Valley. A linear oasis running through one of the most beautiful deserts in Africa, where desert-adapted elephant, giraffe, lion and rhino move freely.
In a country jam-packed with vast, spectacularly beautiful landscapes, Kaokoland may just be the most incredible of them all. The area is a melee of towering mountains, sand dunes, and huge expanses of desert. Scattered with unique wildlife and nomadic Himba settlements. It’s also one of Namibia’s most remote and wild environments. And one that not many will get the chance to discover in a lifetime.
True to the ethos of Natural Selection, they’ve sourced materials locally. You’ll find furniture shaped by the local Rundu carpenters and Himba carvers. And baskets weaved by the people of the Omba Project in Windhoek. The whole camp is a clean and green sort of place. Leaving virtually no footprint on this fragile eco-system. It’s entirely solar powered to ensure carbon emissions are kept to a minimum. 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.
The six rooms rests effortlessly in this wild environment, offering a simple aesthetic that matches the rugged landscape down to a tee. The colors, textures and patterns are inspired by the experience of the Hoanib. The rich ochre of the dunes. The geometric patterns of the Himba people. And, of course, the giraffe that inspired the project.
Hoanib Valley’s six guest tents sit on raised decks made of a wood, bamboo and 70% recycled material composite. In harmony with the rugged environment. All tents have standing fans and are en suite with a separate loo &, indoor showers.
Double tent
There is 1 x family tent with a king bed and 2 single beds. Children of all ages are welcome. Children from 12 years may join the walk & rhino tracking.
Family tent
Travel that matters
Simply by making a choice to visit Hoanib Valley Camp you are already leaving a positive impact on the conservation of desert dwelling giraffe and supporting a black rhino introduction program.
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 Valley 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. The wildlife of the Hoanib Valley is perfectly at home in the semi-arid environment, and learning about their survival techniques is fascinating.
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.
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.
Bee-eater
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.
Cultural Visit
Visit the local Himba and Herero tribes that survive in the desert. They have fascinating cultures. From a semi-nomadic way of life, to traditional Victorian style.
Himba
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.
Rhinos
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 Valley 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.
Giraffes
When to visit Hoanib Valley Camp
Hoanib Valley 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 Valley Camp?
Hoanib Valley Camp itself is located in the Sesfontein Community Conservancy, our joint partners in the area. The camp itself is set back in a hidden valley and surrounded by a range of jagged mountains, just outside the private 500 square kilometer Palmwag Concession.
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.
2025 Hoanib Valley Camp Rates in Namibian Dollars
Luxury Room
Per Person Sharing
Single Supplement
High Season:
1st September – 31st October
1-5 Nights
N$20,995
N$8,400
6-7 Nights
N$19,945
N$7,980
Shoulder Season:
1st November – 19th December
1-5 Nights
N$17,495
N$0
6-7 Nights
N$15,746
High Season:
20th December 2026 – 9th January2027
1-5 Nights
N$20,995
N$8,400
6-7 Nights
N$18,896
N$7,560
2026 Hoanib Valley Camp Rates in Namibian Dollars
Luxury Room
Per Person Sharing
Single Supplement
Green Season:
10th January – 31st March
1-5 Nights
N$15 995
N$0
6-7 Nights
N$14 396
8 Nights+
N$13 596
Shoulder Season:
1st – 30th April
1-5 Nights
N$18 795
N$7 518
6-7 Nights
N$16 916
N$6 766
8 Nights+
N$15 976
N$6 390
Shoulder High Season
1st – 31st May
1-5 Nights
N$20 395
N$8 158
6-7 Nights
N$19 375
N$7 750
8 Nights+
N$18 356
N$7 342
Shoulder Season:
1st – 30th June
1-5 Nights
N$18 795
N$7 518
6-7 Nights
N$16 916
N$6 766
8 Nights+
N$15 976
N$6 390
Peak Season:
1st July – 31st August
1-5 Nights
N$25 995
N$10 398
6-7 Nights
N$24 695
N$9 878
8 Nights+
N$24 695
N$9 878
High Season:
1st September – 31st October
1-5 Nights
N$22 545
N$9 018
6-7 Nights
N$21 418
N$8 567
8 Nights+
N$20 291
N$8 116
Shoulder Season:
1st November – 19th December
1-5 Nights
N$18 795
N$0
6-7 Nights
N$16 916
8 Nights+
N$15 976
High Season:
20th December 2026 – 9th January2027
1-5 Nights
N$22 545
N$9 018
6-7 Nights
N$21 418
N$8 567
8 Nights+
N$20 291
N$8 116
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 Valley 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.
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