Wolwedans Boulders Camp

The essence of Wolwedans Boulders lies in the tranquility and solitude of its desert location, in the warmth of sun rays, in the afternoon wind, whispering in the canvas of the safari tents. Tucked away in a cluster of granite rocks, in touch with the vast arid landscape, the Boulders camp reminded us just how important the choice of a hotel is to the travel experience.

The Namib Rand Nature Reserve lies in an area where a vast mountain range halts the advancing Namib Desert, turning it into semi-arid plains.

This is the setting for Wolwedans Boulders Camp. Surrounded by enormous granite rocks, the safari tents of the Camp face a stark and dramatic landscape.

Namib Rand

A combination of diverse landscapes and unique weather systems, with morning mist being the only source of water, blesses this land with some of the most stunning sceneries in Africa—of which perhaps the most famous ones are the Sossusvlei dunes, just north of the Namib Rand.

The reserve is home to a small portfolio of the Wolwedans camps, set up in different surroundings. Among them, the most remote and exclusive is the Boulders Camp, its four tents pitched in the southern part of the Namib Rand.

The camp

Raised on wooden platforms and protected by peaked canvas roofing, the tents are accompanied by a dining and lounge tent with the kitchen sandwiched in between. A wooden deck joins the main area and leads to an open fireplace. And that’s about it: Boulders is an exclusive and cozy affair.

The tents are spacious, with a four-poster bed in the center, fitted with a mosquito net and sparse furnishings that include a small dressing table and a wooden storage chest. The canvas can be opened, inviting the surroundings in.

A private bathroom is located in an adjacent, separate tent. Encompassing both is a raised wooden deck.

The Boulders experience

The camp does provide game drives, but seeing animals should come as a bonus—the stunning landscapes are the main draw. Sundowner drive is a must, so is a visit to the sunset spot on top of the huge rock overlooking the camp. The views from there are magnificent.

For us, the most important aspect of the Wolwedans Boulders experience was the excellent service, and exclusivity of the camp, and a small team ensuring a personalized treatment. There were a few other guests, and we got lucky with a fantastic companion. In the end, that’s what matters—after all, “a journey is best measured in friends”.

in our opinion

Our mantra at Travel+Style is that hotels are pivotal to the travel experience—and it applies to the Wolwedans Boulders Camp. The magical ambiance, the beautiful setting, and the warm, personalized service made our stay.

Boulders is truly out of the ordinary—well deserving of the Editor’s Pick.

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What we love

• Absolutely stunning, dramatic setting of the camp—sheltered between huge boulders and facing a beautiful desert;
• Eminently peaceful ambiance;
• Boulders is super exclusive, with only four tents (eight guests max) and personalized service. The camp is isolated and remote, and no guests from other camps visit the area. It’s a celeb pick;
• The camp is facing east—we loved the sunrise and morning light;
• Sundowners, on the top of a mountainous rock plateau on the side of the camp. Epic vistas of the surrounding plateau are guaranteed;
• Simple but very comfortable tents, with the romantic four-poster beds, draped in white mosquito nets;
• The scenic drives were a pure relaxation in the peacefulness of the reserve—and despite the arid conditions, there was still plenty of game: oryx, springbok, ostrich, & zebra and plenty of birds (there are more than 100 bird species living in the area). The guides are excellent!

What you should know

• There is no electricity in the tents other than to power some lights. Charging cameras and other devices have to be done in the kitchen area.
• The limited lights make the tents quite dark;
• The tents have bathrooms in separate tents—not a problem generally, apart from having to whisk to it in the oft-cold mornings;
• It’s a great place for socializing, as it is the case with other lodges and camps in Namibia. Activities and meals are done together with other guests (we loved it—we were lucky to meet some great people);
• The ideal length of stay is two, maybe three nights;
• The camp is best suited for couples—there are some restrictions on the age of children (younger than 6 are not accepted);
• There is no laundry service at Boulders—it is done at Wolwedans’ basecamp, which means that clean clothes will be returned the following day (due to the distance);
• If anything, the food was a tiny bit of a letdown—but only by comparison with the Dunes Lodge, where we also stayed. Still, dining is very high quality and beautifully presented.