Wolwedans Dune Camp in Namibrand Nature Reserve

Wolwedans, "restaurant" view

We are staying in Wolwedans Dune Camp four nights. As stated in the Wolwedans Dune Camp's description on their homepage (link): 

”Positioned on the edge of a 250-metre high dune, Dune Camp has the most extraordinary views across the Namibrand [Nature] reserve.  The main areas are spread out across a series of interlocking decks ensuring that the lounge, dining area and tea room all enjoy views across the endless dune landscape to the mountains beyond."  

Moonlight at Wolwedans,
Namibrand Nature Reserve

"The tented and wooden structures are designed for the desert. The canvas sides can all be opened up capturing the cool breeze in the hot summer months, and in winter keeping you warm when the canvas sides are rolled down. Dune camp has a wonderful charm which appeals to a traveller looking for a down to earth but still luxurious experience.”

View from bed, our tent, Wolwdans

Our beds, Wolwedans

Dune Camp is part of the exclusive Wolwerdans Collection of Camps. Or as they also write (link):

Wolwedans is more than a collection of camps. It is a collection of dreams. In this land of blue skies and endless plains you will find beauty to feed your soul, tranquility to clear the mind, and space for your imagination to fly. You may feel completely overwhelmed at first, but then quickly settle into a landscape and immersive experience which is ‘simply out of this world”.

"Restaurant deck" and family unit in distance,
Wolwedans

There is some truth in that statement; the location on top of the red dunes with a view of the plain and mountains in the distance is absolutely enchanting. In all directions we see spectacular scenery!

View Wolwedals, wideangel

Tents (rooms), Wolwedans

However, it comes at a price (8200 NAD per person per day). E.g. some of the guests choose to arrive by private plane at the local airstrip. Others opt for butler and own staff.

We stay in the "tented room". The generous tented room is built on wooden platforms raised off the ground. It´s comfortable and spacious, with a kingsize bed as well as full indoor and outdoor bathrooms. There is no coffee station, but a thermos is provided every night. 

Outdoor bathroom, Wolwdans

View from inside "tent", sunrise
Wolwedans Dune Camp

Sunrise from our bed, Wolwedans Dune Camp

Outside, we have a generous deck which allows for plenty of lounging around, but unfortunately, there is not a lot of privacy. You can easily watch your neighbours - and the other way around (!) Not perfect design and perhaps the most important minus regarding this camp.

 

On the very positive side, you have a “Wolwedans Chiller”, which is a water-filled silo to cool off during hot summer months. We enjoyed this feature very much.

Wolwedans Chiller, cylinder with cold water

Wolwedans Chiller, view to desert

Also, you have full board and activities included in the rate, e.g.: Morning and evening scenic drives, Wolwedans desert sundowners, "Heart and Home village tour" (visit to the Wolwedans Village), full day scenic safari, bushman walk, and E-biking.

Vife & giraffe, Wolwedans full day excursion

Giraffe, Wolwedans full day excursion

We opt for the visit to the Wolwedans Village, where the owner Stephan explained the whole philosophy behind Wolwedans. Very impressive work and recommended tour. We also did the desert sundowner and a very fast bushman walk. However, most of the time, we just enjoyed the most extraordinary views across the Namibrand Nature reserve, from the main buildings and from our own wooden platform surrounding the tent.

Namaqua chameleon, Bushman walk
Wolwedans Dune Camp

Quivertree, Mt Losberg,
Wolwedans Dune Camp

Every night, we had nice (but quality wise not very extraordinary) dinners on the wooden main decks overlooking the desert and starry sky! Also, a overlooking a nearby water whole. Before dinner, always sunset + G&T around the fire together with other guests.

Ready for dinner,
Wolwedans Dune Camp

Wolwedans dinner

On the full day excursion, we went to the North-eastern corner of the nature reserve with our pleasant and knowledgably guide Jacks. We had a scenic drive over the vast plains to a quiver tree forest at the foot of Mt Nubib Berge, actually this uiver tree forest was much more impressive than the famous one near Keetmanshoop which we visited several years earlier (in 2009). 

Full day excursion, Wolwedans

Full day excursion, Wolwedans

We had lunch at the most spectacular viewpoint “Vultures View” on a small stony mountain peak. What a perfect full day activity.

Full day excursion, Vultures View

Full day excursion, Vultures View

The last full day at Wolwedans, I decided to climb Mt. Losberg – but that is another story you can read here (link)

Mt Losberg, mountain pass top

In conclusion, Wolwedans was a pleasant acquaintance, and we would like to come back once more. However, given the high-end price tag, Wolwedans staff need to pay more attention to details; not the number of gadgets or fancy facilities, but e.g., make sure; tents/rooms are in perfect shape every day with clean towels (change dirty on the floor), full refrigerator, and hot warm water every morning (e.g., outside the tent) rather than the lukewarm water from the night before. It is also a annoyance that you are not properly shielded from other guests on the private terrace in front of your tent. 

Wolwedans, worth a visit

Wolwedans

Also, the service was always friendly, but certainly not always of the same high quality (some inexperienced staff).

PRO's

• Fantastic and completely unique location in the desert
• Total relaxation and tranquility
• Focus on employee well-being and training in Wolwedans Village
• Focus on local raw materials and a sustainable strategy

CON's

• Tents not properly shielded from neighbours, who have free access to watch each other on the wooden sundeck
• A little too little attention to detail (read above) - given the high price tag
• Some variations in the quality of service provided by staff - given the high price tag

But bottom-line, we would love to come back another time!

Video: Magic red sand, Wolwedans (sundowner)

Sundowner Wolvedans, view