Who are the Himba people?

The inspirational Himba are a group of indigenous people, some 50 000 in number, who lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle in northern Namibia’s Kunene Region, formerly Kaokoland. At Serra Cafema, we are privileged to spend time in their communities in the desert.

How do I get to Serra Cafema?

Wilderness Serra Cafema is one of the most remote lodges on Earth. This magnificent desert camp is only accessible by light aircraft operated by Wilderness Air. A unique experience and the best way to arrive in style while appreciating the vast beauty of the desert.

Namibia

Serra Cafema

An Ancient Wonderland

Journey to Namibia’s Serra Cafema, the home of the Himba, and explore one of the most remote, untouched places on Earth.

Home Africa Namibia Kunene region Serra Cafema Camp

DESTINATIONS

Wilderness Serra Cafema

Land of contrasts.

Retreat to Namibia’s extraordinary desert and discover an astonishing landscape in one of Earth’s most secluded safari destinations. Against the backdrop of the vast Hartmann's Valley and its spectacular geology, redefine your concept of natural beauty. Gaze upon the lush Kunene riverine vegetation and look out for a multitude of wildlife, from desert-adapted oryx, to tiny desert chameleons.

NAMIBIA

Wilderness Serra Cafema Namibia Himba Cultures

Serra Cafema moments

Under verdant trees on the Kunene River’s banks, in an ancient landscape, discover Wilderness Serra Cafema.  A place to disconnect, unwinding to the sound of rushing water, and the silence of the desert. Explore the home of the Himba, Namibia’s last semi-nomads, and be amazed by desert-adapted oryx, zebras, and huge crocodiles in the river.

Wilderness Serra Cafema Gallery Namibia Aerial View

Wilderness Serra Cafema Namibia Deck Main Area

Wilderness Serra Cafema Namibia Oryx Running

Wilderness Serra Cafema Namibia Zebra Running

Serra Cafema moments

Under verdant trees on the Kunene River’s banks, in an ancient landscape, discover Wilderness Serra Cafema.  A place to disconnect, unwinding to the sound of rushing water, and the silence of the desert. Explore the home of the Himba, Namibia’s last semi-nomads, and be amazed by desert-adapted oryx, zebras, and huge crocodiles in the river.

Accommodation

Rest in your sublimely appointed suite, just one of eight, whose wood, canvas, thatch, and exquisite interior design pay homage to Himba culture.  Put your feet up and immerse yourself in the spectacular surrounds of Namibia’s Kunene Region, from your elevated deck. Wilderness Serra Cafema is a lodge where you can truly relax, the powerful silence of the desert restoring your soul.

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Cuisine

Serra Cafema’s food experience promises a feast for all senses. And supports Namibian farmers and artisans, and their local produce. Sample traditional Herero cuisine and culture with a village experience. Enjoy a delicious riverside breakfast on the Kunene, or retreat to your room for a tasting plate of African tapas overlooking the river.

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THE DETAILS

Wilderness Serra Cafema

Diverse and contrasting experiences abound at Serra Cafema, from dune-sensitive guided quad biking, nature drives, and walks amongst the fascinating geological formations, to seasonal boating on the Kunene. Respectful, authentic engagement with the Himba in one of their temporary villages is wondrous, a true privilege to spend time with people who live sustainably, as they have for centuries. 

Purpose

Facilities

Wildlife

Area

Activities

Wilderness Serra Cafema Namibia Purpose Impact

Impact-focused tourism model

Rugged, remote, and wild. Like you, we’re guests in this spectacular landscape. Its custodians, the local Himba people, share their space, wildlife, and culture with us. In turn, we support them with their expressed needs. Educational programmes. A mobile medical clinic. Continuous nutritional aid. It is our responsibility and privilege to help protect one of the most untouched places on Earth.

Family unit

A family unit ensures complete privacy for memorable moments.

Pool

Take a refreshing dip for some respite from the African sun.

Wi-Fi

Stay in touch with friends and family and share your sightings.

Home of the Himba

Wilderness Serra Cafema’s home is the 300,000-hectare Marienfluss Conservancy, owned primarily by the Himba. Venture to the heart of this unique wilderness area, where the ruggedly scenic Hartmann’s Mountains and the Kunene River form an astonishingly beautiful backdrop.

Purpose

Impact-focused tourism model

Rugged, remote, and wild. Like you, we’re guests in this spectacular landscape. Its custodians, the local Himba people, share their space, wildlife, and culture with us. In turn, we support them with their expressed needs. Educational programmes. A mobile medical clinic. Continuous nutritional aid. It is our responsibility and privilege to help protect one of the most untouched places on Earth.

Facilities

Family unit

A family unit ensures complete privacy for memorable moments.

Pool

Take a refreshing dip for some respite from the African sun.

Wi-Fi

Stay in touch with friends and family and share your sightings.

Wildlife

Area

Home of the Himba

Wilderness Serra Cafema’s home is the 300,000-hectare Marienfluss Conservancy, owned primarily by the Himba. Venture to the heart of this unique wilderness area, where the ruggedly scenic Hartmann’s Mountains and the Kunene River form an astonishingly beautiful backdrop.

Activities

EXPERIENCES

Serra Cafema experiences

Experiences aplenty await at Wilderness Serra Cafema. Observe the fascinating lifestyle of the Himba. Hear their stories, share yours. Water levels permitting, boat on the river, with plenty of Nile crocs about. Travel the dunes on foot and by quad bike, spotting desert-adapted wildlife. Look out for an astonishing array of birds in and on the Kunene River. Discover stars you’ve never seen before.

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Nature drives

Get close to rare wildlife, explore otherworldly landscapes and immerse yourself in uncharted territory on a nature drive.

Nature Drives

Namibia

Birding

Birding with a knowledgeable Wilderness guide is spectacular across all our regions, with 930 different species for twitchers to tick.

Birding

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Local culture

Learn. Share. Enrich. Wilderness offers unforgettable cultural experiences across eight African countries.

Local Culture

Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda

Guided quad biking

Feel the wind against your face and experience the adrenaline kick on a Namib Desert quad bike adventure across the vast dunefields of the Kunene region.

Guided Quad Biking

Namibia

Guided walking safaris

Slow down and pay attention to the smaller details of the safari experience on a walking safari with our professional guides.

Guided Walking Safaris

Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Map

Explore camps in Kunene

From the quaint German colonial town of Swakopmund north to the Angolan border, an untamed stretch of desert beckons. From Serra Cafema, gaze onto the Angolan mountain peaks in the distance from which the camp takes its name. Like the animals, the plants here are well adapted to the lack of rain, with unusual fauna and flora at every turn.

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Serra Cafema

Standard Season

From USD 870 per person, per night

Premium Season

From USD 1,450 per person, per night

Travel with us

Journey with Wilderness

Africa’s ever-changing landscapes bring shifts in wildlife through the seasons. You could embark on our safari activities multiple times, and each time have a unique experience in the wild. From the desert dreams of Namibia to the wonderful waterscapes of the Okavango, let us take you wherever your heart desires.

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GUEST EXPERIENCES

Testimonials from fellow safari-goers

With a perfect 5 star rating from 170 reviews, guests consistently praise Serra Cafema's exceptional wildlife viewing, dedicated guides, and luxurious accommodations. Read what fellow safari-goers have to say about their unforgettable experiences at Wilderness Serra Cafema. Read more reviews on TripAdvisor.

Sublime Stunning Scenery

"Serra Cafema, what an absolutely stunning camp amid the desert in the north western corner of Namibia, on the banks of the Kunene River, and across the river from Angola. The scenery is spectacular and how the wildlife survives is amazing, Oryx kept popping from amid the dunes. The camp is beautiful, the staff fantastic and the food was great. A visit to the Himba was also very special, we were made to feel so welcome and with the help of our guide Bernhard they explained their way of life."

JJ | UK

★★★★★

An oasis in the desert

"A wonderful place to see northwest Namibia, rest in a beautiful hotel located beside the Kunene River, travel the river and see crocodiles and baboons. Our guide, Athan, showed us the wonders of the mountains and sandy desert, the immense stillness of the desert and the remarkable creatures who manage to survive here. He also introduced us to the Himba people and took us for a visit to a local village. These people are amazingly resilient and the way they cope with life in the desert is fascinating. Matthew, Gandy, Vee and the rest of the staff made our stay fun and comfortable and sang us welcomes and goodbyes."

Mamadr1 | USA

★★★★★

True magic in remote Namibia

"How to sum up an experience beyond words with words! From the moment we arrived we felt like family. Everyone who works at Serra Cafema goes above and beyond to make this most special place and location the trip of a lifetime. They have excellent team management - with Matthew creating a warm and welcome home for all. And special shout out to Selma for bringing laughter and heart to each event. The outings were absolutely spectacular - and our guide, Bernard, was exceptional. Tracking wild desert elephants and getting so close (even so close that we did not disturb a baby elephant taking a nap in the shade!). Visiting the Himba communities was a special memory - their generosity in sharing their culture and lives will remain a special memory. And then the “sundowner” drinks - where we would arrive to a mountaintop to find a bar and chairs magically waiting for us! Yes - Serra Cafema is in a very remote part of Namibia - but well worth the journey to the Kunene (and you might even get a chance to cross the river to touch the soil in Angola!). While I’ve traveled to many places, none compares with the unique magic at Serra Cafema — and while I said a trip of a lifetime, I truly hope to be back."

CGlobal | UK

★★★★★

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FAQs

General

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Journal

Serra Cafema featured stories

Many who visit Wilderness’ Serra Cafema lodge think twice about sharing their adventures, content to keep this special piece of Africa to themselves. We think Serra Cafema’s majestic beauty and abundant wildlife experiences are simply too good not to share. Here are a few stories.

See all stories

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