Wolwedans nestles into the dunes and is set against a backdrop of extraordinary natural beauty. Located in the heart of NamibRand Nature Reserve, our portfolio of camps provides the perfect base from which to explore vast stretches of awe-inspiring and undisturbed nature. From the rustic homey Dune Camp to the more elaborate Dunes Lodge and Mountain View Suite, to the quietly secluded Private Camp and the Boulders Camp, which is secretly tucked away amidst the grandeur of large granite rocks, each camp is special. No matter, where you opt to stay, warmth and personalized service will ensure a comfortable stay.
Wolwedans is not a dune hotel or a one night stop over destination, which can be ticked off en-route to the next tourist hot-spot. It is a place to arrive, to be, to learn and unwind, whilst being looked after by a friendly and involved local team. Wolwedans provides an honest, relaxed and down-to-earth atmosphere, free of ‘wannabe’ fanciness and pretence.
You will marvel at your exclusive chance to get up close and personal with nature... in the absence of five-star city luxury, marble bathrooms and air-conditioned rooms. A liberating thought. Wolwedans provides an intriguing window for you to experience the desert’s elusive grandeur and breathtaking beauty. You have to bear in mind, however, that there are moments when the elements remind us of our human insignificance ... for as much as the desert kindles your spirits, it can also be harsh and unforgiving.
If you are an open-minded and nature-loving individual in search of a distinctive desert experience far off the beaten track, Wolwedans is for you.
Wolwedans is more than just a collection of camps – it’s ethos lies in setting an example in responsible tourism, the empowerment of its employees and its commitment to the conservation of NamibRand Nature Reserve.
For the time being, there are no plans for any new camps at Wolwedans. It was decided that while the opportunity for development was huge, we would cap tourism development, and have committed to allowing 1000 hectares of nature for every bed at Wolwedans. To maintain growth, the time has come to scout for opportunities outside of the Reserve.
One of these projects that got off the ground in 2006 is the Namibian Institute of Culinary Education (nice) situated in Windhoek. Offering a first class restaurant and stylish bar, the Institute is a ‘living classroom’ training aspiring chefs to polish their skills and further their careers in the hospitality industry. It has been a very welcome addition to the Windhoek social scene!
Our vision and commitment to Wolwedans, and the development of Namibia and its people still drives us forward today. Wolwedans was not only designed for profit, but mainly to make an important contribution to the local economy, to provide opportunities for those who would otherwise have had none, and to help conserve one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
All roads lead to Wolwedans and there are many ways of getting there, both by road or air. It could be part of a Namibia self-drive holiday or it could form part of a three or four night fly-in safari, ideally at the end of a one week Namibia fly-in or a drive & fly tour.
Having had nearly 15 years of hosting guests at Wolwedans and in the process gaining lots of valuable feedback, we would like to recommend, if possible, that you visit us at the end of your trip, rather than at the beginning.
There are many reasons for this, but mostly because on arriving in Namibia most people are, quite understandably, eager to get on safari and track down the elusive ‘Big Five’. To be honest, until that expectation is met, even the most stunning landscape in the world will not touch your soul as it should.
Therefore we always suggest to our guests that they visit the north of Namibia first and in the process quench their thirst for big game. Then to head west to the coast and onwards to Sossusvlei, before finally arriving at Wolwedans. We guarantee you will be in the perfect state of mind to relax and totally immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquility that has become synonymous with Wolwedans.
Desert Academy
A recent and very welcome addition to Wolwedans is the newly created Desert Academy.
Now in its first term, the Desert Academy was created with the support of The Namibian Tourist Board (NTB) and the National Training Authority (NTA) to raise the skills level of the local tourism workforce and therefore the quality of our national hospitality product to a worldwide standard. Desert Academy is funded entirely by the Wolwedans Foundation – a non-profit making organisation, which in turn is funded by future donors and NamibRand Safari’s (which pledged to donate 2% of turnover into the Foundation).
We were honoured to be the only Lodge company to be approached to run a ‘pilot’ course for Tourism & Hospitality and we aim to take our role very seriously.
Currently with 16 bright, young students our Academy is running a 20 week rotational programme encompassing all aspects of the hospitality industry. Our students will be given hands on experience of all of our departments including Laundry, Kitchen, Housekeeping, Guiding, Administration, Maintenance and of course, learning first hand the front of house skills needed to serve you, our precious guests at our lodge and camps, alongside our already experienced employees.
To support the hands-on experience, we have a temporary classroom situated at the main reception where the students are schooled daily in the theory behind hospitality. It is a truly comprehensive syllabus provided to us by the NTA, who after extensive research developed the course in line with the growing demand for highly skilled employees in this sector. The course culminates in an exam, and if passed, the students receive a formal NTA accreditation – there really is no better start to their careers in hospitality.
Our commitment – pending funding - is such that our long term plan is to scale up and build a separate new school building at the Wolwedans village, which will then provide purpose built accommodation and classrooms, ensuring longevity to the programme.
The students have their own dedicated teacher, Veruschka Bond, who comes to the classroom with a wealth of knowledge and hospitality experience. Educated locally in Windhoek, she went on to South Africa to obtain a Bachelor of Arts and a postgraduate diploma in International Studies at the university of Grahamstown. Her extensive hospitality experience was gained as General Manager of the Relais & Chateaux Hotel Heinitzburg. So rest assured our students are in very safe hands!