With no signs of technology slowing down any time soon, it is becoming imperative that once in a while we step back from the grasp of social media. This season, hop off the grid for a week or two and discover a Natural Selection Safari camp, Hoanib Valley Camp, a secluded and luxury fortress deep in the heart of Namibia.

 

Settled beneath the mountains in Kaokoland, Hoanib is a small cluster of six canvas suites. Each room is a minimalist nest of cool earthy tones with the natural textures of the African landscape highlighted through details such as light fixtures or ceramic soap holders. The light seeps into each suite in the early mornings, a crisp golden glow that hypnotises one into stepping out onto a private deck, raising hand to brow, and watching the morning light descend upon the desert.

 

Days here can be spent driving out into the bush on game drives, observing the desert-adapted animals that roam the landscape. This part of Namibia is known for nourishing large populations of the critically endangered Black Rhino. Although this Sub-Saharan terrain is a desert, it gets a surprising amount of rain in January and February, which is key to sustaining the variety of wildlife that depends on this land for survival.

 

Hoanib has been so carefully crafted, not only ensuring that guests will have an unforgettable experience but also crafted with a mindset geared towards sustainability. Hoanib’s design, structure and material elements have all been built so that there is virtually no impact on the fragile landscape that it exists on. All of the natural fittings have been handcrafted by locals, with many of the materials made from recycled substances. The camp is also fully solar-powered, a substantial commitment to an ecological future.

 

There is a considerable connection between Hoanib and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) The relationship between the camp and the NGO allows guests the opportunity to meet some of the GCF researchers who work extensively in the area. It opens up a world of education about this species and their vulnerability to the threat of extinction. It is reported that in the last 30 years, the wild giraffe population has declined by 40%.

 

All of the Natural Selection safari camps across Africa are built with sustainability and conservation in mind, Natural Selection donates a percentage of company revenue to projects that aim to protect the vast expanses of the African landscape. It is sustainable tourism at its finest, with a focus on luxury and education. Embrace adventure under the African heat and keep cool wearing our soft and lightweight men's linen shirts.