ITB 26 Media – [Natural Selections]
NATURAL SELECTION ANNOUNCES NEW HOANIB ELEPHANT CAMP
WHERE THE DESERT ELEPHANT ROAM
The Hoanib Valley in northwest Namibia is one of the most remote and starkly beautiful safari destinations in Africa. And it is here, in the rugged heart of Kaokoland where towering mountains meet ancient riverbeds, that you will find our new Hoanib Elephant Camp.
It joins sibling Hoanib Valley Camp in this semi-arid desert environment offering guests the rare opportunity to observe the desert-adapted elephants that roam freely here, tracing ancient riverbeds in search of water and food. At Hoanib Elephant Camp, you don’t just observe these majestic creatures—you become fully immersed in their world.
A CAMP FOR THE CONCIOUS ADVENTURER
Hoanib Elephant Camp is an under-canvas camp designed for adventured travellers who seek both wild desert immersion and exceptional comfort, all while treading lightly on the earth. Each of the 10 spacious rooms (comprising of 8 twin and 2 family units) have been thoughtfully designed with sustainability and the vast desert landscape in mind. From every corner in camp there is the constant companionship of expansive desert views and endless skies.
Powered entirely by solar energy and supported by a full water treatment system, the camp runs sustainably and is built using eco-conscious materials to maintain a gentle footprint. The room design includes rammed earth walls, insulated canvas roofs, and timber and glass, which offer natural climate control—cool in summer, warm in winter, and always comfortable.
Equipped with all the modern conveniences for comfort in the desert, you’ll find air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, and a private deck with a plunge pool at each room.
At the centre of this eco-friendly camp is the main area which includes an open-air lounge and dining room, small spa, and a swimming pool. The fire-pit is perfect for gathering around after a day’s exploring, to share stories about your adventures underneath the evening stars.
REMOTE AND REMARKABLE
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. Dramatic mountains, dry riverbeds, and sparse savannah offer an untamed backdrop for immersive wildlife encounters, guided explorations, and breathtaking sunsets. And for easy access to this remote area we will soon have a new airstrip—the proposed location only five minutes from camp.
Just beyond the mountains and shifting dunes, to the west, lies the hauntingly beautiful Skeleton Coast—a place of fogcovered beaches, rusting shipwrecks, and colonies of Cape fur seals. This sweep of coastline along the Namibian Atlantic is both desolate and breathtaking and adds another layer of wonder, and the chance to explore the dramatic meeting point between desert and ocean.
OBSERVE RARE DESERT ADAPTED WILDIFE
The wildlife of the Hoanib Valley is perfectly at home in the semi-arid desert environment, and learning about their survival techniques is fascinating. Game drives will reveal a remarkable array of desert-adapted elephant, as well as stately desertadapted giraffe, and, if you’re very lucky, brown hyena and desert lion. Zebra and kudu move freely through the mountains, and hardy herds of springbok and oryx can be seen scattered 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.
MEET THE NOMADIC HIMBA
You can also experience a morning with the local Himba tribe that survive in this harsh desert environment. Their movements dictated by a life of migration following rain and available grazing, their fascinating culture, traditions and semi-nomadic way of life will leave you captivated.
PURPOSEFUL ADVENTURE
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 its regenerative tourism practices. It strongly supports conservation projects focussed around the desert-adapted elephants who face unique challenges, including habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. Your stay here will have a positive impact on the current work being done to promote sustainable practices that benefit both the elephants and local communities.
This is a camp for those who crave raw desert escapism, and the quiet comforts of understated luxury. It sits in a remote area carved only by time and wind, where desert elephants roam the ancient valleys, and only a privileged few get to follow.