Sesriem · 5 km from the park gate

Desert Camp

Sesriem, Namibia

Twenty-eight self-catering units under centuries-old camel thorn trees, five kilometres from the Sesriem gate. Cook on your own veranda, watch oryx cross the plain at dusk, and be at the gate before anyone driving in from further out.

The stay

Five kilometres out, under the camel thorns

Distance to the gate is what separates the places on this road, and five kilometres is about as close as you get without sleeping inside the park. You are at the front of the queue when it opens at sunrise rather than an hour down the gravel.

The units are spread out under camel thorn trees that have been there for centuries, each looking across the golden grass plains to the mountains, each with its own parking space right alongside. A waterhole nearby draws game, and guests routinely report oryx wandering past the veranda in the evening.

This is self-catering, but a comfortable version of it. The kitchenette sits on your veranda behind a zip-up canvas cover, the utensils come in a box from reception, and fresh food can be ordered daily and delivered to your unit. When you do not want to cook, the restaurant at sister property Sossusvlei Lodge is a short drive away.

Desert Camp units under the camel thorn trees at Sesriem

Veranda kitchenette behind its zip-up canvas cover

Where you will sleep

Accommodation at Desert Camp

Twenty-eight units, all the same layout, all with a kitchen on the veranda.

Desert Camp units under the camel thorn trees at Sesriem

Self-catering unit with parking alongside

Veranda kitchenette behind its zip-up canvas cover

Twin beds inside a self-catering unit

Shaded veranda with braai and outdoor furniture

Swimming pool and bar area at Desert Camp

Grass plains and mountains around the camp

Desert Camp units under the camel thorn trees at Sesriem

Self-Catering Unit

A spacious air-conditioned unit with twin beds, built to blend into the ground it stands on, with parking right beside it.
There is also a fold-out sleeper couch: two children under 12 sharing with two full-paying adults stay free of charge, which makes this unusually good value for a family.
The en-suite bathroom has a walk-in shower, a separate toilet and a basin with a large mirror and shelving. Extra blankets are available — desert nights in winter are properly cold.
The shaded veranda holds the kitchenette, closed in behind a zip-up canvas cover, with a fridge, a two-plate hob, a wash-up area, power points and braai facilities, plus wooden outdoor furniture to eat at. Utensils, cutlery and crockery come in a utility box from reception at check-in.

Two of the twenty-eight units are wheelchair friendly — mention it when you enquire and we will check one is free.

Prices Book

What to do

Why stay at Desert Camp?

Position and price. Five kilometres from the gate puts you ahead of almost everyone driving in, and self-catering keeps the nightly cost well below the lodges at the same distance.

It is particularly good value with children. Two under-12s sharing with two full-paying adults stay free, so a family of four pays for two — which is not something many places on this road offer.

Staying inside the park still buys the extra hour before the outer gate opens, but there are very few beds in there. This is among the closest you get from outside. Its sister property Desert Quiver Camp is the same distance with a similar setup among granite boulders, and Sossus Oasis is camping right at the gate — tell us what you need and we will say which fits.

The setting is the other reason. The units sit under camel thorns that were old before any of this was a road, there is a waterhole nearby, and guests regularly mention oryx crossing in front of the veranda at dusk. More than one review says to book two nights rather than one.

Before you book

You need your own vehicle — no shuttles or transfers run to the camp
This is self-catering; the nearest restaurant is at Sossusvlei Lodge, a short drive away
Utensils, cutlery and crockery come in a utility box from reception at check-in
Fresh food supplies can be ordered daily and delivered to your unit
Firewood and firelighters are sold at reception
Two under-12s sharing with two full-paying adults stay free
Two units are wheelchair friendly — ask when you enquire
Winter nights are cold; extra blankets are available

Travelling as a group

Two communal bomas can be booked in advance
Each has cooking and wash-up facilities
Sized for groups of up to about ten people
The bar and pool are next door to both

Activities

Bookings for these are handled by the Adventure Centre at Sossusvlei Lodge.

Sossusvlei and Deadvlei excursion
Breakfast at Sossusvlei
Sesriem Canyon excursion
Guided Elim Dune nature walk
Sundowner and nature drives
Scenic flights and hot air ballooning
Bush dinners and outdoor functions

Things to see

Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and Hidden Vlei
Big Daddy, Big Momma and Elim Dune
Sesriem Canyon
Solitaire

Facilities

Swimming pool with views over the plains
Stocked bar with a big screen television
Wi-Fi at the bar and pool
Two communal bomas for groups
Fresh food supplies, firewood and firelighters at reception
Adventure Centre and restaurant at Sossusvlei Lodge nearby
Shop, fuel and internet café at the Sossus Oasis service station

Getting there

On the C27 / D826, about 5 km from the Namib-Naukluft Park entrance at Sesriem
60 km from the gate on to Sossusvlei, roughly an hour
Own transport required; no transfers are available
Gravel roads in the area — a normal car is fine, but drive slowly

Grass plains and mountains around the camp

Swimming pool and bar area at Desert Camp

Photos

Desert Camp in pictures

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Video

Desert Camp on film

A look around Desert Camp before you book.

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