Doro Nawas Camp, Damaraland

Set in the 407 300-hectare (1 006 425-acre) Doro !Nawas Conservancy, Doro Nawas Camp looks out over a landscape ranging from rocky plains to strange rock formations and sand dunes. It’s also a prime area for Namibia's desert-adapted elephant, with herds crossing the dry valley seasonally in search of water and vegetation.

Tented Accommodation

Doro Nawas Camp has 16 stone-and-canvas units with shady thatched roofs. Each is en-suite (with an outdoor shower) and each has a shady veranda for looking out over the arid landscape by day and enjoying stargazing or sleep-outs at night.

Main Area Lookout

The main guest lookout is perched on top of a rocky knoll and offers endless views over the surrounds from the indoor and outdoor dining areas, pool area and bar, and local curio corner. A staircase leads to the flat roof – the perfect spot for relaxing with sundowners and indulging in a bit of stargazing.

Variety of Desert Activities

Wildlife and scenic drives

Although the area does not support large wildlife numbers, desert-adapted animals such as springbok, gemsbok and elephant are around. Nature drives in open safari vehicles explore the area and end with a picnic lunch or scenic walk, during which guests learn how various plants and animals have adapted to their harsh desert life.

Local excursions

There are numerous cultural, geographic and historical places of interest nearby. The ancient San rock art at Twylfelfontein (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the petrified forest, Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes are all worth a visit.

Cultural visits

Back-of-house tours and camp chats about the Doro !Nawas Conservancy, the Damara/Nama language and cultural traditions, all offer insight into the community, while the Damara Living Museum records the traditional culture of the Damara people.

Scorpion night walks

After dark, another dimension of the Namib awakes. These guided walks reveal captivating creatures such as scorpions, which fluoresce under UV light.

Star bed

There’s nothing quite like sleeping out beneath the starry skies of the Namib, lulled to sleep by the sounds and surrounds of Africa.

Stargazing

Namibia is famous for its clear night skies. There is no light pollution and the dark skies provide an ideal opportunity to learn about the planets and stars of the cosmos.

Conservation Matters

The vast Doro !Nawas Conservancy represents some 450 members who benefit directly as shareholders. All camp staff are local and receive training from Wilderness Safaris. Doro Nawas has been carefully designed and built for minimal impact on its fragile environment. Showers are solar heated and there are hybrid energy and eco-friendly waste disposal systems in place.

Getting There

By road: The camp is accessible by 2WD vehicles. It’s about a six-hour drive from Windhoek (440km).

By air: Wilderness Air Namibia flies to Doro Nawas Airstrip, from where it’s about a 10-minute road transfer to camp, depending on stops for wildlife, scenery and photos.

Our Take on Doro Nawas Camp

Its location, staff and views are fantastic. It’s a good base from which to explore many of Namibia’s famous sites and geographical features. Really remote and off the beaten track, it’s perfect for when you’re looking to get away from it all, which makes it an ideal honeymoon venue. The starry sleep-outs are spectacular.