Watch desert elephants: The 6 most beautiful places to stay as a starting point

Are you looking for the right places to stay so you can watch the mysterious desert elephants?

In the travel guide you will already have read that you can encounter the rare desert elephant in Damaraland.

There are only around 150 of these fascinating animals left, and for that reason alone it is an exceptional experience to watch them. The elephants spend most of their time in the dry riverbeds of the Ugab, Huab, Uniab, Hoanib and Hoarusib.

We have picked out three lovely lodges and three beautiful campsites where you can stay the night and then, the next day, set off on your own or join a guided tour to track down desert elephants. Curious? Then let’s go…

Lodges and camps in Damaraland

Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp

The tented camp lies at the foot of a large red granite outcrop. Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp is a small place to stay with 12 tents. The camp is furnished in a modern style and you have a sensational view over the semi-desert.

From this base you can join a guided tour to the desert elephants. The tour is led by an experienced guide who will tell you a lot about the habitat and the animals. A particular highlight is that the game drives take place in small groups of a maximum of 6 people.

Twyfelfontein Adventure Camp

Mowani Mountain Camp

Mowani Mountain Camp is set on a hill and offers luxuriously furnished tents. From the camp you have a sensational view over the surrounding rocky and rugged landscape.

You can join a guided tour on which, alongside desert elephants, other animals are also tracked down. The tour lasts around 6 hours and is especially beautiful because you set off at sunrise.

Mowani Mountain Camp

Brandberg White Lady Lodge

The lodge is right on the Ugab River and offers different types of accommodation. You can see Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg massif, from the lodge.

Because the Ugab River runs right past the door, the desert elephants sometimes even come into the camp. Guided game drives set off in the morning and afternoon, depending on where the desert elephants are at the time. The tour to the elephants only takes place if the animals are nearby. Your chances of encountering desert elephants are greatest between June and October.

Brandberg White Lady Lodge

Campsites in Damaraland

Mowani Campsite

The campsite is tucked away between large red boulders. From here you have an excellent view over a wide plain and from the rocks you can enjoy a beautiful sunset.

In the dry riverbeds of the Aba-Huab and Huab you can go in search of desert elephants. If you don’t want to head out on your own, you can track down desert elephants with an experienced guide. The small safari company is on the C39/D2612, about 21 kilometres from Mowani Campsite.

Mowani Campsite

Madisa Campsite

Madisa offers a campsite in a beautiful setting. The campsite is surrounded by rocks that invite you to climb them and enjoy a sundowner.

Desert elephants also live in this region and you can track them down on a guided excursion. The tour starts at 7.30am and lasts 6 – 8 hours, depending on where the elephants are in the vast landscape. A light lunch and drinks are served on the tour.

Brandberg White Lady Campsite

The spacious campsite lies right on the Ugab dry riverbed and close to the Brandberg massif. On a small hill there is a sunset point from where you can enjoy a wonderful Damaraland sunset.

You can look for desert elephants on your own in the Ugab dry riverbed or join a game drive. The tours start in the morning and afternoon. If the elephants are not nearby, the tour unfortunately does not take place. The best time to travel is between June and October.

Brandberg White Lady Campsite

Whether you head out on your own or join a guided tour in search of the elephants, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that you encounter these rare animals.