Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary Suite

The Hoarusib River, which winds through the Puros Conservancy, has carved a path deep into the mountains, creating extraordinary geological features – none more so than the towering yet fragile “Clay Castles”, thousands of years old and in some cases hundreds of feet high.

You can visit an authentic Himba village and meet the tribespeople, to get a taste of their lives and culture. See how they have adapted to desert life, including their unusual skincare routine. They use ochre pigment for protection from the harsh desert climate, giving their skin and hair a distinctive reddish hue. We’re grateful to have a close and respectful relationship with the local Himba people.

The Hoarusib River winds through the heartland of the Purros Conservancy, attracting a variety of large and small wildlife, from elephants and giraffes to oryx and jackals. Scenic drives with our local guides bring you closer to the animals and breathtaking landscapes. The river has carved a path deep into the mountains, creating spectacular cliffs and the stunning natural phenomenon of the “Clay Castles”, thousands of years old and hundreds of metres high, these towering yet fragile castles inspire awe at the power of nature. A scenic drive through the Hoarusib Valley includes a satisfying picnic lunch.

Watch the sun set over the majestic dunes as you sip a delicious sundowner – yet another unforgettable experience. Our guides will set up snacks and drinks whilst guests can experience a sight seen only by a lucky few. Guests can also enjoy sundowners in the tranquil setting of the lodge’s sun deck, and at nearby picturesque locations.

While it might appear on first glance to be a bleakly beautiful but empty landscape, the Puros Conservancy is actually thrumming with life. The expert Himba guides escort guests on morning treks or afternoon game drives to encounter a range of wildlife, many of which are species that have uniquely adapted to the harsh desert conditions, making encounters with them even more special. These include the lodge’s emblematic elephants – rarely glimpsed and only occasionally spotted – iconic giraffe, as well as Hartmann’s mountain zebra, baboons, ostrich, jackals, and a wide variety of antelope: gemsbok, springbok, steenbok and kudu, with their unusual striped flanks and distinctive spiral horns.