Read 72 traveller reviews of Doro Nawas

Doro Nawas Camp is a joint venture between a local Namibian company, Wilderness Safaris, and the Doro !Nawas community.

(Note that the exclamation mark '!' isn't a mistake in this name – '!Nawa' is perfectly correct – it simply indicates a 'click' in the local Damara language! However, for simplicity we'll often use 'Nawas'.)

Doro Nawas is situated on a rugged, rocky hill close to Twyfelfontein, on the edge of the dry Aba Huab River. It has awesome views of the mountains and sandstone cliffs of Twyfelfontein.

The camp's 16 chalets have been built from a combination of stone and canvas. The base is stone, and the canvas walls are supported on wooden poles, which also hold up the thatched roof.

Inside, each chalet at Doro Nawas is open plan, with a large bedroom in which you'll find a couple of comfortable, padded wicker chairs, and a double bed (or twin beds) below a ceiling fan. These chalets are not air-conditioned. The bed has a duvet on it, and extra blankets are provided for use when it's cold during winter. We noted on our last visit that there were no mosquito nets in the rooms – although that may have been because there were no mossies around either!

At the side of the room, sectioned off slightly by canvas and stone dividers, are a flush toilet, a hot shower, and twin washbasins, standing on modern wooded wash-stands – each with a large mirror. Complementary shampoo, body lotion and hand cream are provided, as well as nice big towels

The chalets do sometimes feel a bit dark here, but they are spacious and very lovely and cool during the hot summer days.

At the front of each chalet at Doro Nawas, a large set of sliding glass doors open out onto a veranda. Here is an outdoor shower, a couple of iron chairs, and a terrific view of the spectacular surroundings.

This veranda can also be used at night, when the large double bed can be rolled out, allowing guests to sleep under the stars. The sides of the veranda are screened with reed screens, lending it some privacy, and at the front are a few strands of wire to deter the area's resident desert-adapted elephants.

The open-plan main area of Doro Nawas Camp includes an indoor dining area, a swimming pool, a bar, a curio shop with a small picture gallery. Within this main area there's an outside courtyard from where a staircase leads onto the roof. Here there is an outdoor roof-top terrace that's often used for dining, as well a huge telescope for stargazing – popular after dinner! This is also a lovely venue for sun-downer drinks.

The team at Doro Nawas run many activities for their guests, including guided 4WD trips to track desert-adapted elephants, normally in the Huab River Valley; guided 4WD trips to visit the Bushman rock art at Twyfelfontein, which also usually take in the petrified forest and the organ pipes; and there's also a walking trail in the vicinity of the lodge – which can be done with a guide, or on your own.

When last we visited, our morning elephant-tracking ended up being quite long. We spent several hours seeing very little, but were lucky in the end as we did manage to observe a small breeding herd for 30 minutes or more. Then, on our way back to the lodge, we detoured via a local water point … and found another group there. This whole excursion lasted from about 7am, just after a light breakfast, until about 1pm in the afternoon.

Although the guided activities here are popular, Doro Nawas is very convenient for self-driving visitors, who can easily make their own trips to visit Twyfelfontein, the petrified forest and the organ pipes.

Note that it's possible to stay here on a 'full board and all activities' basis, or alternatively on a 'dinner, bed & breakfast' basis. In the latter case, you can arrange activities locally and pay for them locally – although be aware that if the lodge is full, they are not guaranteed to be available.

In 2007 Wilderness Safaris signed a joint venture with the Doro !Nawas community. This is a particularly good example of the growing development between the tourism industry and communities in Namibia. The conservancy and its people benefit from the revenue generated by the lodge. All the staff at the lodge come from the surrounding villages and are trained to fill various positions here. We readily support such an initiative that allows local villagers to see the importance of sustaining such a unique environment which in turn brings in tourists, job opportunities and revenue that they too benefit from.

In conclusion, on our most recent visit, we thought that Doro Nawas Camp was a striking lodge in a stunning location. We found the staff exceedingly friendly, and at ease with themselves and the place.

It's a very good call for a one- or two-night stop in Damaraland, especially if you are self-driving and want the flexibility to decide on the day whether to drive yourselves to places like Twyfelfontein, or take a guided trip.

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: Doro Nawas Camp has 16 chalets of which three are

Season: Open Year Round

Ideal length of stay: 2 nights

Geographics

Location: Damaraland, Namibia

Accessible by: Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Staff: When we last visited, the staff at Doro Nawas Camp were very friendly and helpful (especially Fiona and Florencia). They were an absolutely pleasure to talk to and Florencia's love of the area, and her work were very noticeable. She was very bubbly and full of smiles all the time. Our guide was Gabriel – and he was turned out very well and knowledgeable about the area's flora and fauna, although sometimes shy to speak up himself.

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Dining style: Inidividual Tables

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Drinks included: No drinks are included at Doro Nawas Camp on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. Drinks on games drive and house wine at dinner are included on a full board and activity basis.

Children

Attitude towards children: Children with parents are welcome at Doro Nawas Camp.

Age restrictions: There is no age restriction at Doro Nawas Camp.

Activities: There are no special activities at Doro Nawas Camp for children but they can quite happily go on a walking trail with their parents.

Equipment: Doro Nawas Camp do not have cots or highchairs for children

Generally recommended for children: Yes – although children should always be supervised by their parents.

Central communications

Power supply: Generator

Communications: There are no phones, and there is no mobile reception but MTC is planning to have mobile reception in the area in the near future. The reception/office here has internet and fax facilities, but these are not generally used by guests.

TV & radio: There are no TVs or radios at the lodge.

Health & safety

Malarial area: No

Medical care: The closest hospital is in Outjo, but guests can also be flown out in case of an emergency.

Dangerous animals: Moderate Risk

Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers in all the rooms and in and around the main building.

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible

Laundry facilities: A full laundry service is available, and clothes are usually returned within 24 hours. This service is free if you are staying here on a 'full board and all activities' basis; items will be charged for if you are staying on a 'half board' basis.

Money: You can exchange traveller's cheques at the lodge and there are safe deposit boxes in all the rooms.

Accepted payment: Doro Nawas Camp accepts Visa, Mastercard and traveller's cheques and there is no surcharge.

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