Highlights
- Characterful lodge in private reserve
- Distinctive, spacious accommodation
- Restaurant, bar, and pool
- Unspoilt wilderness views
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Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge is a charming, mid-range property situated in a 10,000-acre private reserve in south central Namibia. The lodge offers distinctive accommodation in 12 individual guesthouses along with a bar, restaurant, an inviting swimming pool, and amazing surroundings comprising stunning sand dunes, valleys and the striking Kalahari and Great Karoo Desert savannahs. The lodge sits in a dry lake or vlei, with superb views across the surrounding wilderness, and overlooking a water hole which attracts wildlife including springbok, giraffe, zebra, impala, wildebeest, eland, oryx, and ostrich. Conveniently located between the renowned Fish River Canyon and Windhoek’s international airport, the property offers friendly service, comfortable accommodation and tranquil wilderness views away from the beaten track.
The thatched main lodge and accommodation are accessed via a series of wooden boardwalks. Communal areas include a reception area, bar, a restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining areas, and a sundowner terrace overlooking the water hole. Outside is an inviting swimming pool and loungers. Battery charging facilities are provided, and complimentary Wi-Fi is available in main areas, although due to the property’s remote location the signal can be intermittent at times.
Activities include game drives, including atmospheric sundown drives, and guided and self-guided walks following a series of marked trails. Keen hikers can experience a guided two-day walking excursion into the wilderness including an adventurous overnight camp. Mountain bikes are available for exploring the stunning landscape.
Accommodation comprises 12 distinctive guest houses, built on stilts and featuring stone and canvas walls, traditional thatched ceilings, and teak floors. Spaced apart for privacy and flanked by the sand dunes, each spacious property has a double or twin beds, a lounge area with a wood burner for colder nights, and an ensuite bathroom, with an additional, super-refreshing alfresco shower. Each unit comes with air conditioning, mosquito nets, a minibar, and hot drink facilities. Outside is a private veranda with comfy sofas and stunning views of the savannah. Larger ‘superior’ units also come with their own private plunge pool.
Children of all ages are welcome at the lodge. Two of the houses can connect via a boardwalk to make a larger single unit, ideal for families or groups. Little ones up to four years of age stay free of charge, and there are discounts offered for children age four to 12 years when sharing with adults. Parents are reminded that both the swimming pool and the camp are unfenced; accordingly, adult supervision is required at all times.
Nicola and I had a brilliant time - the weather made it pretty
challenging at times, but Mustafa and Mohammed looked after us
superbly. We loved the variety of scenery and places - as you mention,
the only downside is the rubbish in the villages, such a shame. The
meals that Mohammed drummed up on the hillside tracks were amazing - I
am glad we knew that our mule would eat the leftovers because there was
no way we could finish them! The standard of the breakfasts were far in
excess of the bread and jam you mentioned, even in the basic gite which
was freezing - we were warm once in bed, but the temperature in the
living room was a bit depressing after a very windy descent, sitting
wrapped in coats, hats and blankets while we waited for our dinner! The
sleeping bags provided were excellent and we were toasty with our fleece
liners and an extra blanket. We were very grateful that Mustafa's boss
upgraded us to the eco lodge the next night (don't know whether this was
because of the gale force winds on our descent the day before...) - it
was lovely.We were incredibly lucky with precipitation - although we were walking
in a few inches of snow on day one and it absolutely poured that night,
we experienced no rain during the day until we were lining up for our
farewell photo at our pickup point, when the heavens opened!Due to the weather, I think I'd describe the terrain slightly
differently - a few good paths, but often we were on very stony ground,
slippery wet mud (oh, that clay does stick to one's boots!), slidy thin
gravel or else just making our way down a hill after rain had washed the
original route away. Occasionally we walked short distances on roads,
which Mustafa was apologetic about, but it was hardly the M6! We took
our time and never felt unsafe, but people with dodgy knees or hips
might need to be careful. Mustafa looked after us very carefully in the
high wind gusts (as a sailor, I reckon at least Force 9 - over 50 mph on
a bare hillside), promising Nicola that he wouldn't let her mother blow
away!Although we needed to be back in Marrakech on the fourth night, I think
if I were going again, I would prefer to trek for four days and spend 3
in Marrakech, which I found a bit overwhelming, but this is just
personal taste!Our room in Daar Housnia was lovely, and we appreciated the heating -
the rest of the building is definitely built for summer! There seemed
to be some confusion over our arrival - the manager said we had
originally been booked into the downstairs suite with double bed and
bath in the middle of the room, but that he thought it was more suitable
"for two ladies, not a couple" to upgrade us to exactly the room you had
shown us photos of! The breakfasts were delicious. The wifi was fine
for Nicola's meetings.
Monica S
reviewing Morocco Trek & Marrakech Holiday
on 16 February 2026
We had such a good holiday. You did a fantastic job!
The house in Marrakesh was ridiculous. We effectively had it to ourselves. The accommodation was borderline palatial.
I actually think that the time we had in Marrakesh was sufficient. We could potentially have done a day by a pool but I think we’d done enough souk-ing by the end of Day Two.
The hotel in the mountains was a shade more rustic than I was expecting, but all great fun. Stunning views. The guide / mule / cook team were excellent and our guide (Hassan) tailored the treks to our capabilities well. He was superb, and really made an effort with the kids. The second and third day of trekking were particularly good. Such an adventure for the kids.
All the logistics worked seamlessly. Every aspect went like clockwork. Top marks. The advice on tipping was also much appreciated (I hate thinking that I’m getting mugged off or am potentially not giving enough…).
From my seven-year-old son:
I thought it was GREAT. The food was amazing and the culture was very interesting. My favourite bit was scrambling up rocks in the Atlas Mountains.
In retrospect, I’d probably do the trip in reverse. Flopping on the roof terrace after the rigours of the mountains would have been even more satisfying.
Henry O
reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains
on 05 June 2025
We had an extraordinary time. It was magical and we couldn't hav asked or hoped for more. Thank you both so much for all of your time and assistance.
Emma M
reviewing Best of Botswana for Families
on 18 November 2024