Back to the Kalahari – Sharing Our Favourite African Destination
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| Our Dune Chalet and view Kalahari Desert Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch Namibia 2026 |
It is wonderful to finally share our favourite part of Africa with my brother and sister-in-law. After years of talking about Namibia's vast landscapes, extraordinary wildlife and endless open spaces, they are now about to experience it for themselves.
From Windhoek we head south into the Kalahari Desert, where we will spend two nights in one of the spectacular Dune Chalets at Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch, perched high on top of the red sand dunes.
Rather than following the obvious route south along the B1, we choose the quieter and far more scenic C23 through the countryside. The road winds its way across Nauaspoort Pass, past the tiny historic German fort at Klein Neuas, before continuing via the C21 and D1268 to Bagatelle.
One thing immediately catches our attention. Compared with our previous visits, Namibia seems cleaner than ever. On previous visits, it was not uncommon to see discarded plastic bottles, cans and other rubbish along some of the roads. Today, it is surprisingly rare. Considerable effort has clearly gone into protecting the country's natural environment, and it shows. Few African countries can match Namibia's combination of well-maintained roads and pristine landscapes.
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| Sunset over Kalahari Desert Bagatelle Kalahari Guest Farm Namibia 2026 |
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch, Dune Chalets
Our arrival at Bagatelle sets the tone perfectly. The reception staff greet us with warm, moist towels to refresh our hands and faces, followed by a generous glass of sparkling wine—alcoholic or non-alcoholic, according to preference. After a short tour of the beautifully designed main lodge, we are shown to our two Dune Chalets, each standing on its own private sand dune with uninterrupted views across the Kalahari.
Unlike the dramatic sand seas of the Namib Desert, the Kalahari is a semi-arid sandy savanna. Its characteristic deep red dunes are stabilised by grasses and scattered acacia trees rather than constantly shifting with the wind. The result is a surprisingly green and surprisingly rich ecosystem, supporting an abundance of wildlife despite the dry climate.
We first stayed in these Dune Chalets with our children back in 2009, and although they were already memorable, the accommodation has been upgraded considerably since then. The spacious chalets now stand elegantly on stilts above the sand, each with a large private terrace overlooking the desert.
Inside, a charming claw-foot bathtub faces the panoramic windows. Naturally, it has to be tested. There are certainly worse places in the world to enjoy a hot bath than overlooking the endless red dunes of the Kalahari. A comfortable king-size bed with mosquito nets completes the room, although at this time of year there are virtually no mosquitoes to worry about.
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| Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch Namibia 2026 |
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| Wife relaxing Dune Chalet Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch Namibia 2026 |
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| Blogger relaxing Dune Chalet |
'Night Drive, elusive nocturnal species remain elusive this evening
As darkness falls, we gather around the fire outside the main lodge before enjoying an excellent three-course dinner. Afterwards it is time for one of Bagatelle's popular night drives.
The ranch advertises opportunities to encounter springbok, eland, kudu, giraffe, ostrich, numerous antelope species, meerkats, aardwolves, African wildcats and other nocturnal wildlife.
We climb aboard an open Toyota Land Cruiser and head into the darkness. There is something very special about experiencing the Kalahari at night. The air becomes cooler, unfamiliar scents drift across the dunes and, although the moon is almost full, it has not yet risen above the horizon. We scan the surrounding bush with powerful spotlights, discovering springbok, gemsbok and ostriches in a completely different setting from daylight.
The more elusive nocturnal species remain elusive this evening. No aardwolves, African wildcats or owls for us. Even so, driving silently through the desert beneath a sky filled with stars is an experience that hardly needs rare animals to make it worthwhile.
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| Night Drive at Bagatelle Namibia 2026 |
The following day is intentionally unhurried.
After a generous breakfast buffet—enthusiastically shared with a number of opportunistic birds—we simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings before joining the afternoon activities: a cheetah feeding experience, a nature drive and, of course, a classic Namibian sundowner from the top of one of the red dunes as the sun slowly disappears beyond the horizon.
The nature drive offers several more wildlife sightings, including blue wildebeest and a few particularly rare species that we deliberately choose not to mention here. In an age where information spreads instantly, discretion remains one small way of protecting vulnerable wildlife from those with less honourable intentions.
The cheetah feeding experience feels slightly artificial, as these encounters inevitably do. However, Bagatelle's conservation programme deserves recognition. The resident cheetahs have been rescued from commercial farmland, where they would otherwise most likely have been shot to protect livestock. Here they have relatively large enclosures and professional care. Seeing these magnificent cats up close is impressive, even for us after many previous African safaris. They are noticeably larger and more powerful than many people expect.
As the sun begins to set, we climb one final dune with drinks in hand. Few things symbolise Namibia better than watching the last golden light illuminate the red Kalahari sands while the temperature slowly drops and silence settles across the landscape.
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| Nature Drive Kalahari Bagatelle Game Ranch Namibia 2026 |
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| Cheeta feeding Kalahari Bagatelle Game Ranch Namibia 2026 |
Bagatelle, a beautiful desert game reserve
Bagatelle remains one of our favourite places to begin or end a Namibian journey. The location is beautiful, the facilities have been thoughtfully modernised and the level of service is exceptional throughout our stay. The staff deserve particular praise. Friendly, attentive and genuinely welcoming, they elevate an already excellent lodge into something rather special.
If this is your first safari in Africa, Bagatelle offers an excellent introduction to many iconic African species in a spectacular setting. Experienced safari travellers should not expect wildlife densities comparable to Etosha National Park or the great reserves further north. Instead, think of Bagatelle as a beautiful desert game reserve where outstanding hospitality, stunning scenery and relaxed luxury take centre stage. For us, it remains one of those places we are always happy to return to.
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| Restaurant at Bagatelle Kalahari Desert Namibia 2026 |
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| Sundowner at Bagatelle Kalahari Desert Namibia 2026 |
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| Dune Chalet at Bagatelle Kalahari Namibia 2026 |
