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.
This story is from the June - July 2021 edition of Condé Nast House & Garden.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June - July 2021 edition of Condé Nast House & Garden.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
ISLAND Style
A subtle and spacious modern Spanish pied-à-terre frames its surrounding sun-soaked rolling hills
REFINED REVIVAL
Through thoughtful attention to detail, interior designer Gillian Gillies has transformed a Torontonian townhouse into an immersive retreat that is both fresh and timeless
Coastal cool
A chic and inviting family haven echoes the natural beauty of Knysna
Between SKY & SEA
A sweeping estate garden in the Cape balances formality and order with naturalistic planting and resident wildlife. Heady borders of fragranced jasmine and giant clipped domes bring allure to drifts of wild grasses and a central reflecting pool
NEW TERRITORY
Tembo Tembo a remarkably innovative bush lodge designed by Paris based Studio Asaï, proposes a sustainable and sophisticated approach to the essence of living with the land
TREASURE ISLAND
With spaces that honour traditional elements and local artisanal skills, Saudade is an archipelago oasis for the discerning traveller
TREE Encounters
Top of our gift list this season is Tree Encounters: Portraits and Stories from South Africa-author-photographer Brita Lomba and author Ruth Parker's second book collaboration. Both knowledgeable conservationists and avid adventurers, Tree Encounters is a richly diverse collection of images and stories devoted to protecting the remarkable legacy of trees, says Heidi Bertish
Inside STUDIO KAJA
Mindfully crafted in Cape Town, this furniture studio is where practicality and imagination intersect to create pieces that tell stories and enrich lives
Meet me in the Bathroom
In the pursuit of sanctuary, it's often the most private spaces, such as this, that offer the greatest potential for transformation
Meet the WINNERS
The 2024 House & Garden Designer of the Year (DOTY) Awards celebrated designers and artists at the vanguard of their domains