Barkhan Dune Retreat: Namibia’s hidden treasure, where magical views, untouched nature and the cutest meerkats guarantee an unforgettable experience! If you are looking for a special and beautiful accommodation that makes your heart beat faster, then Barkhan Dune Retreat is the perfect destination for you. We should know, because we stayed here!
Sustainable Enjoyment in the Namibian Desert: Discover Barkhan Dune Retreat!
Water supply is just as special here. The water comes straight from their own boreholes and is of the purest drinking quality. The water from the showers is reused to irrigate the beautiful gardens, preserving precious groundwater in an environment where rain is scarce. And that’s not all, as their commitment to recycling extends to all waste. Paper and plastic are burned responsibly, while glass and cans are carefully returned to Windhoek for recycling. Food scraps get a second life in the form of compost for the gardens.
In their commitment to minimizing environmental impact, they use only biodegradable cleaning products and soaps throughout the complex.
Sustainability is not just a word for them; it is a lifestyle that they are – quite rightly – proud of.
Read more about what this lodge is doing in terms of sustainability here!
Enchanted by the Namibian Desert: Our Stay at Barkhan Dune Retreat!
It was time to leave Windhoek behind and really start our adventure. A stay at Barkhan Dune retreat was waiting for us. One of the members of our Facebook group “Traveling Namibia and Botswana” had recommended this lodge to us. The lodge immediately appealed to us, so we quickly made our choice. In retrospect, we look back on perhaps the most impressive lodge we’ve ever been to!
We are welcomed very warmly and enthusiastically by the owners. Such enthusiastic and pleasant people! They proudly show us around and we are given the freedom to explore everything. We are amazed, because what a beautiful accommodation this is! Everything is taken care of down to the last detail.
We pack our things from the car and settle in our ‘Dune chalet’. A beautifully spacious chalet which is built ‘into the hill’, so it’s is completely absorbed into the natural surroundings. The chalet is very tastefully decorated and all with the view of the beautiful valley. There is a large bathroom and an outdoor shower, which is very welcome in these desert temperatures! You can even roll the bed out to sleep under the stars. What?! Yes, for real!
Imagine waking up in a ‘living painting’. Vast expanses of sand and majestic mountain ranges as soon as you open your eyes. Overlooking an endless valley in the heart of the desert. The sunset here is breathtakingly beautiful and the starry sky is almost unreal. We fully enjoy this beautiful place!
Meet the Cute Residents: The 2 Tame Meerkats at Barkhan Dune Retreat!
The lodge is accompanied by 2 tame meerkats: too cute! They are happy to be photographed up close and run around the grounds together, playing and raving. This makes this place extra fun to stay, because these animals are hard to find in the wild! We can’t stop making photos of these cuties!
The food is delicious! Fresh and prepared with love, you can taste it immediately! The owners make you feel very much at home and that makes this stay extra special. Although the lodge is luxurious, it feels very cozy. We are impressed. In the morning you will be served with coffee/tea at your chalet. You can indicate your desired time yourself. Heaven does exist!
Barkhan Dune Retreat has a beautiful outdoor area where you can enjoy the view from anywhere. In the main building there is an outdoor terrace where you can relax with a refreshing drink while overlooking the valley and the mountains. There is also an infinity pool with the same breathtaking view.
You can do a lot of activities here. You can hike in the area and enjoy the sunset. And what about star photography?! You can also indulge yourself here as a bird lover, since there’s a lot of diversity in terms of birds. The lodge organizes various activities such as farm drives, game drives, etc. Find out more about their activities!
After a last dip in the lovely swimming pool and one last look at the breathtaking view, it is unfortunately time for us to move on. We really enjoyed this magical place and we ABSOLUTELY hope to return here one day!
Check out the Barkhan Dune Retreat website for more information!
Did you know...??
A “barkhan” is a special type of dune that you can often find in desert areas. It is an elongated dune with a rising slope on the side where the wind comes from, and a steeper slope on the other side. This kind of dune is formed by the wind, which brings in sand and piles it up on one side as it rolls down the other side. Barkhans are found in various deserts around the world, and they can also be found in the Namibian desert where Barkhan Dune Retreat is located.
