Elegant and supremely comfortable, southern African design provides the perfect base from which to explore the rugged harsh majesty of Etosha, Namibia’s most important game reserve.

Etosha is situated three hours from Windhoek in the central north of Namibia and is one of the most important game reserves in Southern Africa. It was once the biggest natural park in the world but was reduced in size to its current twenty-two-and-a-half-thousand square kilometres as part of a tribal resettlement scheme. The vast, dried up white calcrete pan (seasonal lake) was once the biggest lake in the world, until climate changes dried up the feeder channels and the vegetation changed from lush jungle to savannah grassland, acacia and mopane woodland.

The park’s vast expanse of dazzling white pans change colour from orange through pink and purple to inky, deep blue and glow and shimmer in the early morning and late afternoon light.. Despite being in a semi-arid area, Etosha is home to over three hundred and forty bird, one hundred and ten reptile and one hundred mammal species, including close to three thousand elephant, three hundred black rhino (one of the biggest populations in Africa), twenty-seven thousand wildebeest and seven thousand zebra and rare antelope species like black faced impala, Damara dik dik, suni and roan antelope. As a result, lion, cheetah and leopard are common predators and are easier to spot in this environment than other parks.

Just outside the eastern edge of Etosha, on the opposite side from most of the other camps, is Mushara. The lodge appeals to those seeking the exclusivity and unspoilt character of a premium Namibian safari whilst guaranteeing encounters with the full spectrum of game which one migh encounter on an east African safari. Indeed the lodge is now well-established and game wanders past the day beds on its way to drink.

The two villas are situated roughly fifty yards apart with their own large terraces, plunge pools and thatched day beds in the gardens. Designed by Heidrun Diekmann, the style is modern African with every concession to comfort. From the open fireplaces to the air-conditioning, outdoor showers and plunge pools, evrything has been thought of to make guests’ stay as comfortable as possible on the edge of such a harsh natural environment.

Private staff, drivers and safari guides are on hand to suit one’s schedule of activities, nearby Mushara Lodge is at one’s disposal should one wish to mix with other guests or alternatively the thatched day beds are a wonderful place from which to watch the game wander by at their own natural pace.