Dune Camp

The rooms are thoughtfully designed, and the art and mix of experiences make the place memorable. I was also impressed by the sustainability work. A wonderful stay in the wide open spaces of Africa.

The preserve’s landscapes are the real draw: red dunes, grasslands, hills, savanna and plenty of wildlife, with long, open views. We appreciated the property’s conservation work and the lovely picnics and scenic drives. The shared areas were attractive, too, and the staff were friendly and excellent throughout. It also operates as a hospitality training center. Getting around was awkward. The accommodation is spread out, and meals are served in a building miles from some tents. That building is also where everyone parks, so we couldn’t leave our own vehicle at our camp and had to wait for rides to come and go. It made visiting nearby places such as Soussvlei impractical. Walking over loose sand and grass to each room also felt unnecessary; a boardwalk would have made sense. The guides seemed tightly restricted in odd ways: after our sunset photography outings, they weren’t allowed to use headlights, which made driving the 4x4 trails nerve wracking. We also had to reverse for long stretches because they could turn around only at designated spots. The price was at least $1000US per night, well above what we paid at similarly equipped tented camps. For that cost, the experience was uneven. My shower head didn’t work, and there was no shampoo in the room. Those are basic things. The rooms weren’t the best we stayed in on our trip, despite costing two to three times as much as the others. Some usual extras, like flights or a pilot, were missing as well. There seemed to be a lot of staff for relatively few guests, probably a 10:1 staff to guest ratio during our stay. We’re glad we went for the landscape and the preservation efforts, but I’d give the property an average rating.

The staff’s warmth made me feel more like a friend than a guest. With the peace and silence around you, the wild, untouched nature seems to bring everything into balance. The place has a kind of magic that’s hard to put into words, and its colors stir something deep in you.

The night sky is AMAZING, with practically NO light polution. During the day, oryxes roam among the red sand and rocks, and the luxury tents make it feel like landing on Mars, only with a farm to table restaurant. The personal service was lovely. You can visit the village where the workers live; they’ve also started a hospitality school for less fortunate people and offer the best students jobs at the hotel. They’ve planted a garden and plan to raise some animals, too, working toward a full circle of produce and services.