Doro Nawas is one of Namibia's most striking lodges. It boasts a marvellous location in the very heart of Damaraland, perched on a rocky knoll from which it overlooks the sparse, rugged flats of Damaraland and, in the distance, the Etendeka Mountains. The view is superb, and the rooms and public areas at Doro Nawas have been designed to make the most of it.
The open-plan central area at Doro Nawas sits at the top of the knoll and consists of a lounge with fireplace, bar, indoor dining room, and a small gallery. Outside there is a courtyard and sheltered swimming pool with sunloungers, always inviting after a busy day game viewing! Our favourite spot, however, is the rooftop terrace, a great vantage point which also doubles as a dining venue.
Activities at Doro Nawas consist primarily of game drives and visits to the petrified forest and rock art sites at nearby Twyfelfontein. Game-viewing is surprisingly rewarding in this dry and arid region: ostrich, black rhino, mountain zebra, desert-adapted elephant, and kudu can all be seen. Of equal note, however, is simply the landscape itself; the dramatic canyons, valleys and mountains, the dry riverbeds and savannah plains, that make up this most unique region of Namibia. Doro Nawas is in the very heart of this region, and one of the best ways to experience it.
Accommodation
Doro Nawas is one of the larger properties in the Damaraland region, with 16 chalets (one of which is a family unit) accommodating a maximum of 34 guests at a time. It lacks, therefore, something of the intimacy of nearby Damaraland Camp, with its smaller number of rooms and more stringent child policy. This is in our view the main downside to Doro Nawas.
Doro Nawas would be better described as a lodge than a camp. Accommodation is in chalets, permanent structures built of natural stone, wood and canvas, topped off with thatch roofs. They are large, roomy and cool (there's no air-con, only a ceiling fan, and mostly no need for it – the nights can be cold). The rooms, like the main lodge, have a rustic feel to them, with wicker and iron furnitures, and stone partitions. The rooms have clearly been designed to blend into their surrounds, but some guests may find them a bit too dark.
Each room connects with a generously-sized bathroom, equipped with flush toilet, double basins with mirrors, and walk-in shower. At the front, the rooms open onto a private veranda. It's even possible to roll the beds onto the veranda at night for sleep outs under the stars!
Dining
Doro Nawas offers a variety of dining venues – meals may be served in the indoor dining area, in the courtyard around the fireplace, or on the rooftop terrace. Meals are all served buffet-style, with plenty of dishes, including vegetarian options.
Facilities
- Small swimming pool
- Lounge and bar
- Rooftop terrace for star-gazing
Activities
- Morning and afternoon game drives
- Birding
- Twyfelfontein, Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes excursions
- Petrified Forest excursion
- Mountain biking
Child Policy
Doro Nawas Camp accepts children of all ages.
