Canyon Lodge – The Good, the Bad and the Overpriced

Canyon Lodge - nice location but...
Namibia 2026 

Canyon Lodge turned out to be a case of the good, the bad and the seriously overpriced. The setting was fantastic, our chalet was perfect, and the pool was almost impossible to fault, with magnificent views across Gondwana Nature Park towards the Fish River Canyon.

Unfortunately, all these wonderful elements were almost completely overshadowed by an invasion of three large groups — two of around ten people each and one of more than twenty people from the other side of the world.

And it started so well

Lodge in front of reception
Canyon Lodge, Namibia 2026

We were warmly greeted by a very enthusiastic guide — and, as it turned out, salesman — who showed us to reception. He told us that he would later explain all the activities and excursions available at the lodge. We never saw him again. Perhaps we had already been sold.

At reception, we were met by a very friendly hostess who completed the usual check-in formalities before assigning us Family Chalet 21. She then showed us around the lodge, including the shop, restaurant and terrace, and arranged for our luggage to be delivered to the chalet.

Family Chalet 21, Canyon Lodge
Namibia 2026

We opened the door to Chalet 21 and were immediately impressed. The chalet is beautifully integrated into the rocky landscape, with a huge pile of boulders rising behind it, seemingly balanced on top of one another. It reminded us a little of the Erongo Mountains [link].

The living room, bedroom and bathroom are built directly among the rocks, with large rock formations incorporated throughout the chalet. Immediately to the right as you enter is a bedroom with a double bed, separated from the second double bed by a roughly 3 x 3 metre boulder. There is a wardrobe, a small table with glasses, a coffee and tea station, a safe and everything else you could reasonably want. Everything was in immaculate condition. Nothing was missing.

The bathroom feels almost like a cave
Canyon Lodge, Namibia 2026

The bathroom is reached by walking down into what feels almost like a cave. There, you are greeted by a large and inviting bathtub. The whole thing is wonderfully cosy — and quite spectacular.

Pool area, Canyon Lodge
Namibia 2026

Once we had settled in, we also headed for the pool area, located a few hundred metres from the chalets. Sun loungers are spread across several levels of rocky terraces, overlooking a beautiful, almost infinity-style pool. Beyond it are magnificent views across the surrounding plains and mountains.

Blogger by pool area
Canyon Lodge, Namibia 2026

There was even Wi-Fi.

It just never worked.

The restaurant

Terrasse outside restautant
Canyon Lodge
Namibia 2026

Our first dinner was a buffet in the restaurant. It was OK, but rather heavy on the meat-and-gravy side of things. The green element consisted mainly of various canned vegetables poured into bowls, which did not exactly scream culinary ambition.

Before the buffet, we were offered a choice of two starters. On both evenings we ate at the restaurant, both were distinctly underwhelming.

We were also given some warm bread when we sat down. Calling it a piece of bread would perhaps be generous — it was more or less bonsai-sized. An odd place to save money.

The staff were friendly and clearly doing their best. They were, however, fighting an uphill battle.

Night sky, Canyon Lodge
Namibia 2026

The second evening, things went completely off the rails.

First, we received a piece of warm bread approximately the size of a walnut, followed by a choice of two small starters. Neither was significantly larger than the bread.

Looking around the restaurant, we noticed that tables had been set for three groups: two of around ten people each and another table with more than twenty places.

The restaurant is not particularly large, and this looked like a completely hopeless project.

The first group of around ten was already sitting peacefully enjoying their dinner. Then the very large group of more than twenty arrived from the other side of the world and descended upon the relatively small restaurant.

Their guide immediately started rushing around, giving instructions to both the staff and their group members, while the latter made a beeline for the buffet — straight for the meat, naturally.

There was no sitting down first, no settling in, and apparently very little consideration for the other guests.

We were perhaps five couples sitting quietly and trying to enjoy our dinner. From that point onwards, it was obvious that nobody was enjoying the experience anymore.

We left before dessert, after pointing out that the situation was simply unacceptable. This was met with a somewhat bewildered smile and a shrug of the shoulders.

And just as we walked out the door, the other group of ten arrived.

Good luck.

Family chalet 21, good thing about Canyon Lodge
Namibia 2026

This was now the second time on this trip that we had experienced an invasion of large groups at a Gondwana Lodge. The previous occasion was at The Desert Grace, where there was at least considerably more space, and where the much higher quality of the food and facilities helped to compensate (link).

Canyon Lodge simply does not have a restaurant large enough to accommodate groups of this size without seriously affecting the experience of everyone else.

Quite frankly, it is not acceptable for guests to book a year in advance and pay around NAD 8,000 per night  (430 EUR) for bed and breakfast, only to find themselves in an overcrowded and chaotic environment like this.

There is a very obvious mismatch between the price and what you actually get.

We will certainly not be returning to Canyon Lodge. And in the future, we will think twice about staying at Gondwana-branded lodges, or indeed at other properties that actively cater to large organised groups. We would much rather choose smaller, more intimate places where the experience of the individual guest actually seems to matter. An good alternative is Fish River Lodge on the other side of the Fish River Canyon , see link to our recent visit (link)

Perhaps it is the location?

Fish River Canyon, main viewpoint
20 km from Canyon Lodge
Namibia 2026

Maybe this is simply what happens when you are in a spectacular location.

If you eat in Nyhavn in Copenhagen, one of Denmark's most popular tourist spots, you can be fairly certain that you will pay a high price. What you cannot be equally certain of is getting high quality in return.

Perhaps the same applies here. If you are staying right next to the Fish River Canyon or close to Sossusvlei, perhaps the location itself becomes part of the price tag.

But surely that does not have to mean that the rest of the experience is allowed to deteriorate.

Map at Canyon Lodge of
Fish River Canyon tracks
Namibia 2026

And there was one final annoyance.

At breakfast, the buffet was routinely being stripped by the groups before we arrived, and it was not properly replenished afterwards. What was left for the remaining guests were essentially the poor leftovers.

Even some of the cheapest hotels we have stayed at elsewhere manage to keep a breakfast buffet replenished.

So, yes — Canyon Lodge is a spectacular place. The setting is extraordinary, our chalet was wonderful, and the pool is fantastic.

But a beautiful location and a great chalet do not, by themselves, make a great lodge.

For us, Canyon Lodge was ultimately the good, the bad and the seriously overpriced.

//Garas 4x4 Self-Drive – An Adventure Through Gondwana Canyon Park

 

//Garas Self-Drive
Namibia 2026

Setting Out from Canyon Lodge

The day after arriving at Canyon Lodge, we decide to try the //Garas Self-Drive, a marked route of approximately 40 km through Gondwana Canyon Park, which takes around 2–3 hours to complete.

This is not described as a particularly difficult 4x4 route, but rather as a great way to experience the private conservation area independently. The route follows marked tracks through the park and connects Canyon Lodge with Canyon Roadhouse.

A4 trail map //Garas Self-Drive
Namibia 2026

At reception at Canyon Lodge, we are given a simple A4 trail map. The route is not marked on our ever-present companion, Tracks4Africa, but at least the app always shows us where Canyon Lodge is located – just in case we somehow get lost!

We set off, with my wife behind the wheel.

wife behind the wheel
Namibia 2026

A Gentle 4x4 Challenge

We are both relatively experienced 4x4 drivers, but it quickly becomes clear that the route is not technically difficult. The terrain is uneven, with plenty of rocks and, in a few places, somewhat steeper rocky sections where a dry riverbed or small tributary crosses the track.

Still, the challenges are no greater than what any reasonably capable 4x4 vehicle should be able to handle.

On the way, //Garas Self-Drive
Namibia 2026

The route takes us through the characteristic rocky landscape of Gondwana Canyon Park, with its koppies, granite formations, euphorbias and quiver trees.

Grasshoppers and Other Small Creatures

We don't encounter much large wildlife – apart from a single giraffe early in the drive and occasional springbok. But the smaller inhabitants of the park are everywhere.

Large grasshoppers suddenly leap from the vegetation as we pass, while dragonfly-like insects seem to be constantly on the move around us.

At one point, a very large grasshopper suddenly flies through the open side window and lands inside the car.

Very large grasshoppers everywhere
//Garas Self-Drive
Namibia 2026

For a few seconds, there is mild panic!

Perhaps partly because we are surprised – but also because these Namibian grasshoppers are considerably larger than the ones we are used to in Denmark!

As soon as we establish that it is just a grasshopper – and not some kind of flying scorpion ;-) – calm returns to the vehicle.

And we have a good laugh.

When you are driving alone through unfamiliar terrain, you are perhaps slightly more alert than usual. Every unexpected movement or strange sound gets your attention.

We are, as we like to call it, on an adventure.

From Rocky Terrain to Open Sand

halfway along the trail, landscape
becomes more open and sandy.
Namibia 2026

The first half of the route is quite rocky, but after Dassies Poort, approximately halfway along the trail, the landscape changes. The terrain becomes more open and sandy, and the driving becomes easier.

Along the way, we pass two Wild Camps.

The first one in particular catches my attention. It looks like the perfect place to spend a night with a rooftop tent. Imagine climbing onto the roof of the vehicle in the evening and simply enjoying the solitude, the silence and the spectacular views surrounding you.

I suspect that overnight stays may be possible with permission from the lodge or Gondwana. Definitely something worth investigating another time.

A Different Side of Gondwana Canyon Park

Namaqua sandgrouse
//Garas Self-Drive
Namibia 2026

The //Garas Self-Drive has turned out to be a lovely way to experience a different side of Gondwana Canyon Park.

It has not been a technical 4x4 challenge, but that was never really the point. The pleasure lies in being out there on our own, slowly exploring the landscape and never quite knowing what we might encounter around the next bend.

A wonderful day.

Now it is time to relax at the lodge.

Tomorrow, we will finally explore the eastern side of the Fish River Canyon.

The Arimas River Road – A Desert in Bloom

 

Arimas River Road with desert in bloom
Brother opening one of many gates
Namibia 2026

Arimas River Road D463
Namibia 2026

Leaving Fish River Canyon behind [link], we follow the beautiful Arimas River Road, a route we have driven once before in 2022 and one that remains among our absolute favourites in Namibia [link]. In our opinion, it rivals even the famous D707, which we will encounter later on this journey.

The road winds through magnificent desert scenery with remarkably little traffic, making the drive itself one of the highlights of the day.

Arimas River Road D463
Rest and peace
Namibia 2026

Our destination is Klein Aus Vista, where we have booked the unique self-catering stone cottage known as The Boulder for three nights.

Before setting off, we make sure that the road has not been washed away by the exceptionally heavy rainfall three weeks earlier. Several times along the way we cross the normally dry Arimas River. Compared with our previous visit, there are now several more gates to pass through, accompanied by signs reminding visitors not to camp or collect firewood.

It seems that more people have discovered this beautiful road following the Arimas River, with its impressive mountains rising on either side. Perhaps the secret is slowly getting out.

D463 Delivers Again

What a beautiful drive!

We don't meet a single car during the entire 100-kilometre journey. Once, we spot a lone shepherd far away in the distance. Otherwise, there is nothing but uninterrupted wilderness.

And yet, something is very different this time.

The desert is blooming.

Arimas River Road D463
Desert blooming
Namibia 2026

The landscape is transformed by an extraordinary display of colour. Patches of yellow, purple, white, red and peach flowers appear everywhere, mixed with fresh green grass, dry grass tufts and the occasional hardy tree along the river valley.

It is difficult to believe that this is the same landscape we drove through on our previous visit.

We stop several times to take photographs, but eventually decide that there is only one sensible thing to do: stop in the middle of the road for a coffee.

Arimas River Road D463
Coffee and flower photo stop!
Namibia 2026

There we sit, surrounded by flowers, grasses and mountains, with not another vehicle in sight.

We feel extraordinarily privileged to witness something that is both fleeting and highly unusual. In a land where drought is normally such a defining part of the landscape, the sudden explosion of colour feels almost magical.

The Arimas River Road delivered the first time we drove it.

This time, it delivers again—only now wrapped in flowers.

Arimas River Road D463
Namibia 2026

Arimas River Road D463
Namibia 2026

Fish River Canyon – When the Desert Comes Alive

Blogger and brother
Fish River Canyon
Namibia 2026

 

After two nights in the Kalahari, we continue southwest towards one of Namibia's greatest natural wonders—the spectacular Fish River Canyon.

Often described as the second-largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon, the Fish River Canyon stretches for around 160 kilometres through southern Namibia. At its deepest, the canyon plunges approximately 550 metres below the surrounding plateau, while in places it becomes several kilometres wide. It is an extraordinary landscape of ancient rock, twisted geological formations and seemingly endless dry riverbeds.

The canyon was carved over millions of years, primarily by the Fish River, Namibia's longest river. Today, the river is usually little more than a series of pools and sandy channels, but after heavy rains it can transform dramatically, carrying huge volumes of water through the gorge.

Peculiarly, despite its spectacular scale, Fish River Canyon remains relatively unknown internationally. Compared with the crowds visiting the Grand Canyon or even Namibia's better-known attractions such as Etosha and Sossusvlei, remarkably few travellers make the long journey into southern Namibia. Perhaps that is part of its charm.

For the next two nights we will stay at Fish River Canyon Lodge, which enjoys an extraordinary location right on the edge of the canyon. Few hotels can honestly claim to offer a true "room with a view", but this is certainly one of them.

We have already had the pleasure of staying here once before, when we visited in 2022 [link], and we are particularly excited to show the place to my brother and sister-in-law. There is something slightly wild about staying virtually on the edge of one of Africa's great geological features. Our chalets are perhaps five to ten metres from the precipice, and waking up to the vast canyon stretching across the landscape is an experience that never becomes quite ordinary.

Our two houses, living on the edge
Fish River Lodge
Namibia 2026

The Desert Is Blooming!

As we approach the canyon from the north along the D463, we see something we have never experienced during our seven previous trips to Namibia.

The desert is blooming!

The southern part of Namibia has experienced unusually good rainfall over the past couple of years, and the effect on the landscape is remarkable. Much of the vegetation here is adapted to surviving long periods of drought, with seeds and plants capable of remaining dormant until sufficient rain arrives. When the rains finally come, the transformation can be astonishingly rapid.

The normally harsh, barren landscape suddenly becomes covered in grasses and tiny flowers. Many of the plants are succulents or other highly specialised drought-adapted species, including various members of the ice-plant and daisy families. Some appear almost overnight, taking advantage of the brief window when water is available.

It is difficult to imagine that this colourful landscape is the same desert we have driven through on previous visits.

We stop several times to take photographs, something that will become a recurring feature of the next few days. Every few kilometres there seems to be another patch of flowers or an especially photogenic combination of red earth, green vegetation and blue sky.

D463 on the way to Fish River Lodge
Desert blooming!
Namibia 2026

Southern Namibia, desert blooming
Namibia 2026

The Road to the Edge

Eventually we reach the entrance to Fish River Canyon Lodge, where another small adventure awaits.

The final approach involves around 20 kilometres of challenging track across rough, rocky terrain. The journey begins with a rather entertaining descent down a steep concrete ramp, consisting of two narrow tracks that need to be hit rather precisely.

We watch my brother's reaction with some amusement. It is exactly the same mixture of concentration and excitement that we remember from our own first descent here.

Then comes the real reward.

Staff are waiting for us with warm white towels and homemade juice. But the formalities of check-in are quickly forgotten when we walk into the main lodge and see the view through the building towards the pool, the distinctive quiver trees and, beyond them, the enormous canyon.

It is almost impossible to look at anything else.

Fortunately, the staff are used to this. We are eventually persuaded to complete the necessary formalities before being shown to our accommodation.

Pool and terrace, Fish River Lodge
Namibia 2026

We have been given two of the best chalets, tucked away in a secluded position right on the canyon edge (see pictore above). Everything is beautifully maintained. There is a comfortable king-size bed positioned to take full advantage of the view, an outdoor shower, a large concrete terrace for sunbathing and a spacious indoor bathroom. Everything is clean, neat and in excellent condition.

The wind can apparently be quite fierce here, and the exposed position means that it can make quite a noise around the chalets. We are fortunate, however, with only a gentle breeze during our stay and, as expected for this time of year, gloriously clear blue skies.

Down into the Canyon

Brother and sister-in-law
Descending into canyon
Namibia 2026

We have booked a full-day 4WD excursion into the Fish River Canyon, an experience we enjoyed on our previous visit in 2022 [link].

It is a spectacular drive.

The track descends through narrow mountain passes and follows the canyon walls, with some sections providing an almost uninterrupted view down into the abyss. It is not an excursion for anyone with a serious fear of heights. Those sitting on the outside of the vehicle occasionally find themselves looking straight down into the canyon with very little between them and many metres of empty space.

We share the vehicle with a friendly Swiss family and are fortunate to have an excellent guide, Justice, who knows both the terrain and the history of the canyon extremely well.

Exciting track into Fich River Canyon
Namibia 2026

One welcome change since our last visit is that the excursion now includes more stops and opportunities to walk. On some of the longer sections, we can get out and hike along the track before being collected further ahead by the support vehicle. It makes the day feel less like simply being driven through the canyon and gives us much more time to appreciate the extraordinary geology and scale of the landscape.

Eventually we reach the last major viewpoint before beginning the descent into the inner canyon.

And here we encounter the consequences of the recent rains.

The track along the mountainside that we followed on our previous visit has been washed away by the unusually heavy rainfall. Around three weeks earlier, approximately 75 mm of rain had fallen in a very short period, enough to cause substantial erosion and completely remove parts of the track.

Our driver takes a longer alternative route, and eventually we reach the canyon floor.

There is one final reward waiting for us: swimming in the Fish River.

 

Wife swimming in Fish River
Namibia 2026

 

The water is cold—very cold—but after a long and dusty drive through the canyon, it is wonderfully refreshing. We spend around two hours at the bottom, enjoying a relaxed lunch served on a newly constructed wooden terrace beneath a huge rock overhang.

It is one of those moments when the effort required to get somewhere makes the experience all the more rewarding.

Relaxing at new wooden terrace
Fish River Lodge
Namibia 2026

Eventually it is time to head back up.

The return journey is considerably faster, although the same dramatic scenery remains. By the time we reach the top again, we are tired, slightly dusty and thoroughly satisfied.

It was worth the entire journey to southern Namibia.

A Perfect End to the Day

Back at the lodge, the evening is wonderfully relaxed.

Dinner is served in the beautifully designed main building, where comfortable leather furniture, warm lighting and two wood-burning stoves create a cosy atmosphere. It is winter in the southern hemisphere, and once the sun disappears, temperatures can drop rapidly.

Ready for dinner, Fish River Lodge
Namibia 2026

Before dinner on our arrival day, we also managed to squeeze in a beautiful walk to a nearby viewpoint. The trail was relatively short but lead to an excellent vantage point over the canyon and surrounding landscape.

We highly recommend doing this walk if you arrive early enough. There is something particularly satisfying about standing quietly above the canyon just before sunset, knowing that the long drive has finally brought you to one of Namibia's truly extraordinary places.

Fish River Canyon is not simply a destination you visit. It is a landscape you have to travel to—and that effort is very much part of the experience.

Brothers on the edge of Fish River Canyon
Namibia 2026

Our two houses on the left
Fish River Lodge
Namibia 2026

Fish River Lodge chalets
Rim walk, Namibia 2026

Pool and terrace Fiah River Lodge, sunrise
Namibia 2026

Our route from Bagatelle to Fish River Lodge
Add 25% to all Google Map´s timings
Namibia 2026

Back to the Kalahari Desert

Back to the Kalahari – Sharing Our Favourite African Destination

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.

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.

Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
Namibia 2026

Wife relaxing Dune Chalet
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
Namibia 2026

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.

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.

Nature Drive
Kalahari Bagatelle Game Ranch
Namibia 2026

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.

Restaurant at Bagatelle
Kalahari Desert
Namibia 2026

Sundowner at Bagatelle
Kalahari Desert
Namibia 2026

Dune Chalet at Bagatelle
Kalahari
Namibia 2026