Imagine a place where, when your phone battery dies, you don’t even charge it. Where you get up early to watch the sunrise over the veld, with not a building in sight. And where you can spend your nights sitting around a fire, and cuddle up and stargaze when only coals remain.
Life in the slow lane
Habitas lodge, just outside Windhoek in Namibia, is a sort of haven for the technology-weary traveller. Perched on a hill, the tented glamping units each have panoramic bush vistas. No distractions, no traffic. That’s the magic of Namibia, isn’t it? With a population of 2.5 million in a country not that much smaller than South Africa, the open spaces bring peace.
And here, in a private game reserve spanning 51 000ha, anything other than a slow-paced life seems absurd. Suddenly, there’s time for walks, dipping in the pool, and naps. Especially naps.
Nothing about this glamping spot invades nature. In fact, even the restaurant and lounge are not inside a building but on a wooden deck with a tented roof overlooking more bushveld. No walls, no ceiling.
The reserve homes an abundance of antelope including the iconic gemsbok, and all of the Big 5, save buffalo. The knowledgeable safari guides will answer any question you can throw at them, and teach you about the native San people’s history.
But by far, my favourite experience visiting Habitas was the bushveld dinner. All the guests were surprised with a lantern-decked table in the bush next to a fire. The native Khwe people showcased their traditional dancing, and asked us to join in.
Two of the guests, from Mexico and Colombia respectively, had a grand time. The rhythms came easily for them and they proceeded to create a new dance routine, a glorious mix of African and Latin American dancing.
For me, the beats did not come as naturally, but that didn’t stop me and I stomped around awkwardly as I thought of Hemingway who said: ‘I never knew of a morning in Africa when I did not wake up happy’.
Sustainability
Habitas is completely solar-powered and aims to operate sustainably and responsibly. The group is committed to avoiding single-use plastic and has been awarded the Oceanic Champion Badge for adopting The Oceanic Standard.
They have also partnered with Cooperativo Ambio’s Scolel’te programme, supporting reforestation from proceeds to offset carbon emissions from their operations.
The Habitas group portfolio currently features four other ‘homes’ around the world: Two in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia; one in Bacalar, Mexico and one in Tulum, Mexico.
And if you still need convincing to visit Habitas, consider this statement from their website:
Our mission is to create an extraordinary world,
where strangers become best friends,
and friends become family.
A world where the only luxury we need,
is the kind that feeds our souls and expands our minds,
over a candle-lit dinner.
Rates: From R13 300 per night for two people, all-inclusive, for four nights or longer.
Contact: Call +264 81 127 3555 or email [email protected] or [email protected]
Visit habitasnamibia.com
Pictures: Supplied
ALSO READ: Into the big heart of the Klein Karoo
