ROOM TO BREATHE

Namibia’s expansive scenery, sparse population and gentle pace make it the perfect mid-pandemic escape

- JULIA FREEMANTLE

Travel in a mid-pandemic world means our priorities have changed. Wide-open spaces, safety, and peaceful surroundings all rank high on our wish lists – the desire to escape stress a need rather than merely a desire. Namibia’s scarcity of people, wild, natural beauty and ease of access (especially for South Africans) make it the ideal destination to venture to right now. And as varying as the terrain, which morphs from savannah to desert and stark otherworldly coastline, the further you head along the highway, so are the types of lodges open to guests. Better still, plan an extended, lazy stay and experience variety as you explore the vast empty roads.

AND BEYOND SOSSUSVLEI DESERT LODGE

Best for: elemental x-factor

Reimagined in 2019 by Fox Browne Creative, andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge has scooped copious awards, and it is not hard to see why. A celebration of the elements, positioned with staggering views of the desert and lilac mountains in the distance, this cluster of structures fashioned in rock and rusted metal are at one with the russet tones of their surroundings but remarkable in their own right.

The architecture and interiors are a masterclass in contextual but contemporary design, and find the perfect balance of standing out and blending in. The contrasts – rounded versus angular forms, linen juxtaposed with mirror – is a subtle reminder that this luxurious space is in one of the most primal places on earth.