Kunene River Lodge

As you may imagine, you’re fairly far removed from significant civilisation here (that’s what you’ve come for, right?). Roaming by road can be tricky even for those bumping around in a four-wheel drive, so it’s a fine idea to put yourselves in the hands of the experts on site for your outings. A popular (if hair raising) trip here is a half-day of whitewater rafting on the Ondorusu Gorge, organised from the site and accompanied by trained guides who’ll do their best to make sure you don’t topple out. Canoe trips can be had instead if you’re less fond of adrenaline rushes, and leisurely cruises putter down the river at dawn (for the birdwatchers) and sunset (for those who can’t stomach an early start). If you’ve ever yearned to encounter a traditional African tribe, here’s the place to do it – local guides have permission to bring guests to local settlements to meet Himba people still living life as they have for many centuries, well away from 21st-century tech. Keen twitchers may also like to rope in guides to help them spot rare birds including the Cinderella Waxbill and Angolan Cave Chat.