Namibia Hotels and Accommodation

(Namibia, NA, Southern Africa)

Accommodation in Namibia comes in many different forms, from city centre boutique hotels and guest houses to tented camps and safari lodges. The remote nature of many safari camps means that some can only cater for relatively limited numbers, so if you have your heart set on one particular place, then it is best to book well in advance.

In major cities, such as Windhoek and Swakopmund, it is also worth booking hotels ahead if you are planning to travel in high season. Windhoek tends to be more expensive than other places in Namibia, so once you've decided what sort of accommodation fits your budget, all you have to do is decide whether you want to stay amidst the hustle and bustle of Windhoek's city centre, or prefer to find lodging options in the relative quiet of its residential suburban districts.

Where to Stay

Upmarket travellers to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, should find the romantically inspired Hotel Heinitzburg just the ticket. Sitting atop a hill in the middle of the city, this elegant hotel was commissioned by a German count for his bride-to-be back in 1914. Exclusive accommodation can also be found at the Windhoek Country Club Resort, a desert-themed hotel on the edge of Windhoek city, with a multitude of sports facilities, including a golf course.

If your budget is more limited, there are plenty more affordable places to stay in Windhoek. These include guest houses, known as 'pensions'. A large number are handily located in the city centre and offer many of the services that you would normally find in hotels, making them a great alternative.

For visitors who prefer to stay out of the city, several farms in the area around Windhoek provide rooms for tourists. Generally, this accommodation is fairly comfortable and good value. This sort of lodging also has the advantage of giving visitors the opportunity to experience real Namibian life.

Hotel rooms in Namibia's coastal region can mostly be found in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. Luxury hotels here are rather limited, with the Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre being one of the few that offer four-star accommodation. This elegant building was built around the old German Station Building and today has all the facilities you could possibly need, from a casino to an 18-hole golf course.

Whilst a spot of luxury is great, if you are planning to stay on the coast, good views are probably a greater priority. There's certainly no shortage of places that can offer a great sea view. Swakopmund's oldest hotel, the Hansa Hotel, certainly delivers on that front, as well as having plenty in the way of old-school charm. So too does the aptly named Beach Lodge, which promises a sea view from every room. In Walvis Bay, the three-star family run Langholm Hotel is another popular place to stay.

In Windhoek, Swakopmund and other large towns and cities in Namibia, self-catering accommodation is another alternative, particularly for those visitors who plan to stay for longer than the average holiday or for those who want more freedom than can be provided by a hotel stay. Self-catering options can vary from apartments and chalets to luxury villas, depending on your budget. They all have kitchen facilities, and many have the added benefit of a garden and a place to barbecue.

The standard of facilities offered by Namibia's national park accommodation varies widely, from exclusive four-star lodges and luxury 'tented camps' to comfortable bungalows and fairly basic campsites. Some parks have government-owned 'rest camp' lodging. These may look outdated in comparison to the new private camps that are springing up in the parks of Namibia. However, many of these original 'rest camps' are now being renovated to keep up with demands for better standard safari accommodation.

An unusual way of travelling around Namibia in complete freedom is to hire a four-wheel drive vehicle with a pop-up roof tent. These have several advantages, allowing visitors to change their itinerary at the drop of a hat and do away with any frantic searches for a vacant hotel room when you finally arrive at your destination.