The north-western corner of Namibia is one of the harshest environments imaginable.
Rolling dune fields, harsh gravel plains and mountains with barely any vegetation growing on them characterise the landscape.
Yet amidst all this, in an area that at least superficially seems unable to sustain life, is one of the most remarkable and enchanting ecosystems on our planet.
The Kunene River forms the northern border of this region. Across the river lies Angola, and to the south lies the Marienfluss;a large valley which provides grazing for the cattle and goats of the indigenous Himba population. The Marienfluss conservancy was registered in 2001 and covers 3,304 km2. There are a mere 340 people in the area – around one person per square kilometre. Grasslands dominate the broad, central Marienfluss and Hartmann’s Valleys, with dunes covering the western section. Wildlife includes leopard, cheetah, giraffe, duiker, steenbok, gemsbok, springbok, ostrich, mountain zebra, crocodile, kudu.
And the overwhelming impression that forms as you sit and take in all this grandeur… is silence.
Maybe the slight sussuration of the wind in the grass, or the far off cry of a Fish Eagle soaring over the Kunene river, but essentially there is silence. And peace. No traffic, no helicopters overhead, no police sirens.
This part of the world truly lets you appreciate stillness, and how much noise we as a species make.
And perfectly positioned for to experience the magic of this quiet wilderness is Serra Cafema.
Set amongst shady trees on the banks of the Kunene River, Serra Cafema is one of the most remote camps in southern Africa.
Its Portuguese name originates from the mountains that dominate the northern skyline. Guests fall alseep to the sound of rushing water, while by day they explore one of the driest deserts in the world. The camp’s eight unique canvas and thatched chalets, each with its own en-suite bathroom, show great attnetion to detail; the elevated decks and simple structures of wood, canvas and thatch create a camp that is at one with its surroundings.
The dining room and pool look out over the Kunene River. Activities here are varied, including boating (seasonal), walking, viewing breathtaking landscapes,as well as carefully guided quad-bike excursions that tread lightly on the dunes. In this isolated region, the Himba people continue their nomadic, traditional way of life and when in the area, offer guests the opportunity to learn about their lifestyle and traditions.
Serra Cafema is not a typical safari destination.
It is not about encountering an enormous volume of wildlife or watching predators interact or having a breeding herd of elephants stroll sedately past you.
It is about switching off, listening and soaking it all in. It is about fully appreciating the minutiae of a place, and the
It is about stillness, solitude, and realising that there are few places on earth when you can feel as remote yet so comfortable at the same time.
It is about connecting fully with what the real definition of wilderness is…
If this sounds like the kind of experience you are after, drop us a mail on info@iconicafrica.com, and let’s start planning your trip…