Our Habitas Namibia
Hotel · Windhoek Rural
Farm Coas 501, Namibia
Highlights
Safari, wellness, and culture blend in tented suites on a reserve
Safari, wellness, and culture blend in tented suites on a reserve
"A unique lodge combining safari and wellness, with tented accommodations and a focus on local culture and conservation." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"Why book? For an intriguing blend of safari, wellness and culture from super-cool hotel group Habitas, just over an hour’s drive from the Namibian capital. Set the scene 15 tented suites set on a scrubby hill overlook the acacia-studded plains and rolling hills beyond in this 123,553-acre reserve. Guests here are couples, groups of friends or older families who enjoy a chilled Sunday music set, sundowners on the deck or playing with a local drumming group as much as a new moon meditation or early-morning yoga in the bush. The backstory Formerly used for hunting, the reserve is now reimagined for photography safaris. Eduardo Castillo, co-founder of Habitas, wants the focus to be on “the humans we bring together” rather than its aesthetics, with experiences that "create deep empathy for our planet and the natural world." The Habitas brand is continuing to expand, with next stops planned for elsewhere in Mexico, Bhutan, and Saudi Arabia. The rooms Large, tented rooms are scattered across a rocky hilltop with views of the vast plains. Interiors are simple—there’s just a huge double bed, a daybed, and plump floor cushions. The thick canvas means the space is a little dark—take your book outside onto the deck with a coffee instead and keep an eye out for dassies (rock hyraxes) scampering around the rocks. Rooms one and two are furthest from the communal area, and best for privacy. Food and drink Tizee-Mercy Tjenda and Martin Katjikuru create a fresh, light menu that side-steps the usual safari bloat. Start the day with rusks (biscotti-style biscuits) and a coffee before a game drive. Afterwards, it’s a feast of fresh fruit, cold meats and cheeses, as well as a hot, wholesome breakfast of toast topped with creamy peanut butter, banana, and crispy bacon. There are usually two choices for lunch, perhaps zingy feta salad or lentil and butternut spring rolls. The three-course supper could include beetroot tartare with goat's cheese, and lamb chops with aubergine puree, followed by pear-and-almond tart. For sundowner cocktails, try a local Namibian spirit such as sweet ZA.ir honeybush or citrusy Stillhouse gin. The spa Roeline Hansen heads up the wellness program, offering Thai and Swedish massages as well as traditional treatments including a body mask of red ochre (known for its use by the Himba people) and a Khoi herbal compress with plants favored for their restorative properties. Wellness experiences take place beyond the canvas-tent spa too, from sunrise yoga on the deck to sound journey meditation in the bush. The area The 123,552 acres is a short drive from the capital Windhoek, so this is a convenient spot for those not wanting to drive for hours or fork out for light aircraft flights. It’s also very handy if you need a PCR Covid test before departure, as you can get a test in Windhoek before or during your stay. The reserve has white rhinos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest ,and hippos, all of which you’ll stand a good chance of seeing; leopards and cheetahs are harder to find. There are plans to introduce elephants in the next 12 to 18 months. The service The Habitas team are warm, efficient, and switched on. Your coffee preference will be remembered; your wine glass will never be empty. There’s no stilted customer service formality here: replying to a WhatsApp confirmation that yes, all is well, thanks, Jean from the front desk answers ‘Amazeballs’. The guides elevate the safari experience by representing different places and people of Namibia, from the coastal cities of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay to the Himba in the far north-west and the Khwe Bushmen of the north-east. A typical game drive will involve not just wildlife facts, but traditional cultural knowledge that makes the experience feel more holistic. Eco effort Solar-powered; no single-use plastics in the bathrooms or for water. Accessibility Not wheelchair accessible. Anything left to mention? There’s a strong community element at Habitas—guests are encouraged to get involved with whatever’s happening, but you can also do your own thing and there’s no pressure to take part in any activity if you don’t feel like it. That said, it’s a great place to gently push boundaries, be it through meditation, music, or dance." - Heather Richardson
"Habitas, a sustainability-centered company, opened its latest property in January in sandswept Namibia. In keeping with the company’s mission, Habitas Namibia was built with modular structures to reduce waste of resources, offsetting its modest footprint by funding reforestation projects. The 15 solar-powered, canvas-walled tents are set on a private, 120,000-acre wildlife reserve that was once a hunting area, and the hotel is staffed by locals through a partnership with the nonprofit group Saira Hospitality. While the resident white rhinos, giraffes, and hippos are a thrill to encounter, the retreat puts a heavy emphasis on cultural programming, offering medicinal plant workshops, drum circles, and a pop-up bush braai dinner experience." - Jennifer Flowers
"On this 120,000-acre private estate, 15 tented solar-powered suites are scattered across a kopje (a small hill) that overlooks plains of camel-thorn acacias and twisted shepherd trees. Habitas, known for its community-minded retreat in Tulum, effortlessly moves guests’ focus among culture, well-being, and breathtaking natural surroundings. Head ranger Matheus Amunyela and guide Paulus Kambathi sit together in the jeep, taking turns discussing the wildlife, trees, herbs and their traditional uses. Safaris can include stories from Kambathi, a Khwe guide, and Perry Uatokuja, a Himba ranger, as well as healing experiences like a sound bath by a watering hole or yoga where a curious giraffe may wander by. You’ll also find white rhinos, hippos, and zebras; leopards and cheetahs are hard, but not impossible, to spot. The day might end with a bush braai, or cookout, and a drumming circle, or a tranquil new-moon meditation after the sun goes down." - CNT Editors
Deniz Topcuoglu
Joseph
Ruarih Gilmour
Mariana Vieira
Jessica Case
Charlie Ringenson
Kerstin Bek
Ellie Dennis
