DORO NAWAS – DAMARALAND – KUNENE
Doro Nawas rests on the edge of the dry Aba-Huab River overlooking ancient plains with glorious views of the rugged Damaraland area. The camp provides an excellent base for exploring in game drive vehicles and on foot, as well as excursions to view fascinating geological phenomena, petroglyphs (prehistoric rock engravings) and San rock art at Twyfelfontein – Namibia’s first World Heritage Site.
The 16 chalets are crafted in wood, canvas and thatch (including a family unit) to blend in with the surrounding scenery. Each chalet has a bedroom, bathroom, outdoor shower and a veranda for star gazing or sleep outs under the stars. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas, a pool area and a small curio shop.
This is a wonderful area for enjoying the dramatic Damaraland landscape and wildlife including desert-adapted elephant, gemsbok, springbok and a variety of other species such as bat-eared fox and the occasional glimpse of black rhino and cheetah. Birdlife is excellent with several Namibian endemics, such as Damara hornbill, Carp’s tit and Rüpell’s korhaan.
LOCATION
Doro Nawas is set on the edge of the dry Aba-Huab River overlooking ancient plains with wonderful views of the rugged Damaraland area in the Kunene region of north west Namibia.
Access is either by road transfer, self-drive or light aircraft flight to Doro Nawas Airstrip which is around 10 minutes’ drive from camp.
CAMP
Doro Nawas has 16 tents including one family tent with two ensuite bedrooms and shared outdoor deck and seating area. The two tents are joined by a short boardwalk. The design and décor of these natural-walled tents blend in with the surrounding scenery.
A unique feature of this camp is that all the beds are equipped with wheels which allow the beds to roll out onto the deck for sleep-outs in good weather. The tents are furnished with a writing desk and chair, electronic safe, hairdryer (available on request from reception) and tea and coffee making facilities. Please note that there is no air-conditioning – however a ceiling and pedestal fan is provided.
All the tents have ensuite facilities with an indoor shower, outdoor shower, vanity and toilet. During winter months hot water bottles and extra blankets are provided. Liquid soap, body wash, shampoo and conditioner, body lotion, room spray, insect repellents, washing powder (for smalls), tissues dispensers, an umbrella and laundry bag are supplied in each tent.
Electricity is provided using a combination of solar and generator power 220V multi-plug adaptor charging facilities for mobile devices and there is complementary WIFI in the main area. Additional charging facilities are available for the use of sleep apnoea machines
The main area combines an indoor and outdoor dining area and bar with rooftop access for 360 degree panoramic views of the stunning scenery surrounding the camp. There is an open fireplace and reading area with a selection of reference books and a Safari Trading Store. During winter months a gas heater is stationed in the main area.
The camp has a swimming pool where you can cool off inbetween activities.
ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE
Doro Nawas Conservancy is situated a short distance inland from the stark Skeleton Coast and just north of the true Namib Desert. This is one of the driest, most desolate regions in all of Africa. In this arid environment, the ceaseless processes of life revolve around harnessing the near non-existent water in the most economical way possible. Desert adaptation is the miracle of the surprisingly rich diversity of fauna and flora surviving here.
The landscape ranges from boulder-strewn floodplains, canyons and dry riverbeds to curious rock formations surrounded by sand dunes. Namibia’s geological formations are amongst the oldest in the world: The Petrified Forest is a collection of 280-million-year-old fossilised tree trunks, while the Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes (a mass of perpendicular dolerite pillars) are also ancient.
The principal source of water in the Doro Nawas Conservancy comes from the famous Namibian early morning mists generated by the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean colliding with the hot desert air of the Skeleton Coast. This daily cycle of airborne moisture rolls inland along the various depressions and canyons formed by ancient rivers. As the dew settles, it is eagerly harvested by plants, animals and insects before the Namibian sun climbs into the sky and burns it away.
Doro Nawas Camp rests on a sparse, rocky knoll in the Aba-Huab River Valley, a landscape that in times of good rainfall is transformed into a carpet of golden grass and beautiful desert flowers.
Obviously, this scrub landscape cannot support large numbers or concentrated herds of wildlife, but nevertheless boasts a varied and surprising assortment of desert-adapted species. The Conservancy supports healthy populations of the unique desert-adapted elephant, a special highlight here. Other game species complementing this landscape include gemsbok (oryx), kudu, springbok, steenbok and occasionally the rare desert-adapted black rhino. Carnivores include brown hyaena, bat-eared fox and black-backed jackal.
Birding is varied here too. Raptors could include the secretary bird, booted eagle, black-chested snake-eagle, martial eagle, lappet-faced vulture and pale chanting goshawk. The endemic Benguela long-billed lark is common on the rocky slopes here, its plaintive whistling call an evocative sound.
Other endemics include Rüpell’s korhaan, Monteiro’s hornbill, Carp’s tit and bokmakierie. During good rainy seasons, seedeaters like red- billed quelea can be in abundance at Twyfelfontein ‘Dam’ and there is always the odd Gabar goshawk looking for a tasty meal here.
The sandstone rocks of Twyfelfontein harbour fascinating reptiles such as Namib rock agama and day gecko.
Wildlife and scenic drives – while the landscape does not support huge herds, desert-adapted life such as springbok, gemsbok and even elephant do occur. We therefore offer nature drives in open Land Rovers which can end with a river lunch or scenic walk ending at “Little Table Mountain.”
Geological excursions – visit the ancient San rock art engravings at Twylfelfontein – a World Heritage Site – as well as the Petrified Forest, Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes, all incredible geological phenomena.
Cultural visits – back of house tours, and camp chats about the Doro Nawas Conservancy, the Damara/Nama language and traditions all give insight into the community, while the Damara Living Museum shows off the traditional culture of the Damara people.
Guided nature walks – learn more about the flora and fauna in this incredibly harsh environment. Adaptation to the desert environment is the miracle of all that survives here.
Scorpion night walks – after dark, another realm of the Namib awakes. Walks reveal some of these captivating critters such scorpions which fluoresce under UV lights.
Star bed – sleep out under the starry stary skies of the Namib and be lulled to sleep by the sounds of Africa on your veranda.
Star bed – sleep out under the starry stary skies of the Namib and be lulled to sleep by the sounds of Africa on your veranda.
GIVING BACK
The vast Doro Nawas Conservancy comprises over 400 000 hectares and is home to some 450 community members. In addition to acting as landlords in the conservancy, these community members hold a 40% share in Doro Nawas Camp. All camp staff come from the community and receive skills training from Wilderness Safaris. Benefits flow directly to the conservancy and its members.
This camp is powered by grid electricity that is derived from hydropower, so there are no indirect carbon emissions. This eliminates the use of diesel and avoids the potential risks of transporting fuel into camp. Solar-heated water is used for the showers and we make use of innovative eco-friendly systems to break down waste water. In order to reduce our use of bottled water, reverse osmosis filtration is done on site to provide guests with high-quality drinking water. Like all Wilderness camps, Doro Nawas Camp is managed and monitored against very strict in-house environmental standards, so only approved eco-friendly detergents and chemicals are used.
Pack for a Purpose.
DORO NAWAS CAMP IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND
THE CAMP WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND CHILDREN ARE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES WITH ALL OTHER GUESTS
THE MINIMUM AGE FOR WALKING ACTIVITIES IS 13 YEARS
Call +44 1386 830264 or Email [email protected]
Our expert staff are on-hand, happy to assist with any enquiry you have.