It was difficult to get good information about Namibia when I was planning our trip. There were only two guidebooks I could find, and everything online seemed to be published by travel agents. So if you're planning to go to Namibia, here's the experience we had with our lodging.
Overall, the accommodations were either luxury and expensive or spartan and cheap -- not a lot in the middle. And since the Namibian government limits the number of beds in the remote areas (to keep it remote), the more unique places tend to be pricey. We had a mix of both -- splurging on the remote areas, and finding cheaper digs when in town.
So here's the words, enjoy:
Windhoek
Nice place with a great view and a wonderful breakfast. But why would you stay in Windhoek?
Zaris Mountains
A beautiful and special place. Marianne and Rob have established a warm and welcome lodge in an isolated wilderness. Plenty of things to do, and plenty of room to just relax. Strongly recommended.
Sossusvlei
This is one of those pricier-than-you'd-like lodges that dot the landscape in this area. For us it was worth it. The remoteness of the lodge, the private access to the dunes at Sossusvlei, and the opportunity to sleep out on the roof of your "kulala" (chalet) under the darkest and most star-filled nightime sky your will ever see -- all those make it recommended.
Swakopmund
Serviceable accommodation, centrally located in Swakopmund. Nothing wrong with it, but I'd probably try something else if I were to go there again.
Uis
Hmmm. Mixed feelings about this one. It's got a low-budget vibe to it, which I actually liked. Uis, the very very small town it's in, has more geology than you can shake a rock at. But after being kept up all night by the proprietor's loud music (read Heather's account), I can't really recommend it. But I can hope your luck will be better than ours.
Damaraland
Although it would seem to be just another remote camp, the staff at Damaraland Camp turn the unique setting of this lodge into something almost magical. Whether out on safari or just hanging around the bar in the evening, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. It's the kind of place that upon departure, you get a little choked-up. Strongly recommended.
Etosha
Why would you ever want to stay here? It's run by the government, it's crowded, the rooms can be euphemistically described as spartan, the restaurant is buffet-only, and it's a far cry from the luxury camps that surround the park. But none of that matters -- you stay here for the night-lit waterhole. You stay here because the whole thing has a big fence and you're locked up at night -- to protect you from the animals you've come to see. Recommended.
A starker contrast from Okaukuejo would be difficult to imagine. Mushara was easily the most luxurious place we stayed. Everything was just perfect -- from the tidy lawn to the well-designed rooms to the excellent food. But while luxurious, it's not ostentatious. I have a fairly low tolerance for needless extravagance, but at Mushara it all makes perfect sense. Strongly recommended.
North Central
And as luxurious as Mushara was, Aloegrove was homey in the best sense of the word -- unpretentious, relaxing, intimate. Perched high on an outcrop amid the flat central area of Namibia, the views of the Waterberg Plateau from Aloegrove alone are worth a stay. Ivy and Johan have kept Aloegrove small, and we only wish we had been able to stay for a couple of more nights. Recommended.
