These spots are among the most beautiful and popular sites in the park. If you’re coming from Swakopmund, they lie 55km northeast of the C28, along a signposted track. The northern sites may be accessed with 2WD, but they tend to be more crowded. The southern sites are quieter and more secluded, but can be reached only by 4WD.

The surrounding area offers some pleasant walking, and at Klein Tinkas, 5km east of Bloedkoppie, you’ll see the ruins of a colonial police station (basically a ruined hut) and the graves of two German police officers dating back to 1895.

Groot Tinkas must be accessed with 4WD and rarely sees much traffic. It enjoys a lovely setting beneath shady rocks and the surroundings are super for nature walks. During rainy periods, the brackish water in the nearby dam attracts a variety of birdlife.

Homeb is located in a scenic spot upstream from the most accessible set of dunes in the Namib-Naukluft Park, and can accommodate several groups. Residents of the nearby Topnaar Khoikhoi village dig wells in the Kuiseb riverbed to access water beneath the surface, and one of their dietary staples is the !nara melon, which obtains moisture from the water table through a long taproot.

This hidden water also supports a good stand of trees, including camel thorn acacia and ebony.

Kuiseb Canyon is a shady site at the Kuiseb River crossing along the C14 and is also a convenient place to break up a trip between Windhoek and Walvis Bay. The location is scenic enough, but the dust and noise from passing vehicles makes it less appealing than other campsites.

There are pleasant short canyon walks, but during heavy rains in the mountains the site can be flooded; in the summer months, keep tabs on the weather to make sure you don't overheat or get caught in a downpour.

Mirabib is a pleasant facility that accommodates two parties at separate sites, and is comfortably placed beneath rock overhangs along a large granite escarpment. There’s evidence that these shelters were used by nomadic peoples as early as 9000 years ago, and also by nomadic shepherds in the 4th or 5th century.

Vogelfederberg is a small facility, 2km south of the C14, and makes a convenient overnight camp. Located just 51km from Walvis Bay, it’s more popular for picnics or short walks. It’s worth looking at the intermittent pools on the summit that shelter a species of brine prawn whose eggs hatch only when the pools are filled with rainwater.

The only shade is provided by a small overhang where there are two picnic tables and braai pits.

Ganab is a dusty, exposed facility, translating to ‘Camelthorn Acacia’, that sits beside a shallow stream bed on the gravel plains. It’s shaded by hardy acacia trees, and a nearby bore hole provides water for antelopes.

Kriess-se-Rus is a rather ordinary site in a dry stream bank on the gravel plains, 107km east of Walvis Bay on the Gamsberg Pass Route. It is shaded, but isn’t terribly prepossessing, and is best used simply as a convenient stop en route between Windhoek and Walvis Bay.

If you’re an avid hiker (or just love excellent settings!), you’re in for a treat. The scattered campsites here sit beside the Tsauchab riverbed – one occupies a huge hollow tree – and each has a private shower block, a sink and braai area. The stone-built chalets grow in number with each passing year; also down in the riverbed, they're lovely and quiet.

Johan and Nicky are warm and welcoming hosts and Johan's eclectic sculptures, mostly from old car engine parts, are a real feature of this place. Activities include self-guided hikes and 4WD trails. The 6km Kudu Hiking Trail climbs to the summit of Rooikop. Beside a spring 11km away from the main site is the 4WD exclusive site, which is the starting point for the wonderful 21km Mountain Zebra Hiking Trail.

Occupying a magical setting in the Tsaris Mountains, this is Rob and Marianne Field’s private Grand Canyon. Go for one of the more expansive rock chalets – you'll feel like you're sleeping inside the mountain and they're some of Namibia's more original rooms.

The surrounding wonderland of desert mountains, plateaus, valleys and natural springs is accessible on a network of hiking trails and 4WD tracks. If you take it very slowly, the lodge road is accessible by 2WD vehicles.

This scenic farm, owned by Ernst and Johanna Sauber, occupies a lovely, austere setting below the Naukluft Massif, and features a ruined colonial police station, the Bogenfels arch and several resident mountain zebras. A highlight is the 4WD excursion up to the plateau and the hike back down the gorge, past several idyllic natural swimming pools. There are also horse-riding trails.

Nicer than the main Sesriem Camp Site but outside the main gate, Sossus Oasis has an on-site petrol station, kiosk, restaurant and decent if dusty sites with good shade and a private ablutions block for each site.

With the exception of the upmarket Sossus Dune Lodge, this is the only accommodation inside the park gates – staying here guarantees that you will be able to arrive at Sossusvlei in time for sunrise. The campsite is rudimentary – sandy sites with bins, taps, and trees for shade – and expensive for what you get. It can also get really noisy which defeats the purpose of why you came out here.

But you pay for the location inside the park. Given its popularity, you must book in advance at the NWR office in Windhoek, and arrive by sunset or the camp staff will reassign your site on a standby basis. A small shop at the office here sells snacks and cold drinks, and the campsite bar provides music and alcohol nightly.

The sister property of the Sossusvlei Lodge, located 3km outside the park gate, targets midrange travellers who want the comforts of a lodge without having to part with too much cash. Desert Camp consists of 20 East African–style canvas tents, complete with private bathrooms, kitchenettes and braai pits, which fan out from the central communal area.

Lined up across the desert 5km from the park entrance off the road in from Solitaire, Desert Quiver Camp has striking A-frame chalets that are nicely turned out, but they could benefit from a few more windows to really make you feel a part of the desert. Meals are at the nearby Sossusvlei Lodge, but self-catering rates are also available.

Part of Wilderness Safaris' Classic portfolio, Little Kulala is simply stunning. Expansive rooms, each with their own plunge pools, watch over rippling sands and silhouetted desert trees with the sand sea dominating the view not far away. Meals are outstanding, there's a well-stocked wine cellar, the public areas are gorgeous and the whole effect is of a near-perfect sophisticated oasis.

Activities include excursions into the sand sea, but this is one place where we recommend leaving enough time to simply enjoy the surrounds. And by night, the stars out here are utterly extraordinary.

If you've stayed in a Wilderness Safaris lodge before, you know the deal. If you haven't, you're in for a treat. Semiluxurious canvas tents and great food are just the start, as the whole property faces off towards the sand dunes in the middle distance. It's close enough to the park entrance for a quick arrival but far enough away to feel like you're kilometres from anywhere.

Some places like to blend in with their surroundings. Then there's La Mirage... This extravagent stone mock-castle does indeed rise like a mirage out of the desert. The whole affair is over the top, but it’s a very comfortable place to stay, with pool, grass and sunbeds set around a bar area, a restaurant and large rooms sumptuously furnished. It's on the C27, 21 km from Sesriem

It's worth paying a little extra for one of the Oasis Rooms in the castle annex – the camel thorn rooms in the main reception building are lovely but lack the wow factor. And don't miss the sundowner spot out the back for a cocktail at day’s end, or the spa. There's also quad biking for guests.

Splash out at this ultraexclusive lodge, which is administered by NWR, and is one of only two properties located inside the park gates. Constructed entirely of local materials, the lodge consists of elevated bungalows that run alongside a curving promenade, and face out towards the silent desert plains.

In the morning, you can roll out of your plush queen-sized bed, take a hot and steamy shower, sit down to a light breakfast of filter coffee and fresh fruits, and then be one of the first people to watch the morning light wash over Sossusvlei.

People either love this curious place or hate it, but it does make a statement. Accommodation is in self-contained chalets with private verandas, and guests can mingle with one another in the swimming pool, bar-restaurant and observatory. Walk-in rates are often cheaper.

There’s an adventure centre here that organises scenic flights, hot-air ballooning, quad biking and many other activities.

Despite its relative youth, the property was designed to evoke images of a colonial-era farmhouse, albeit one with a large swimming pool in the backyard! Serviceable rooms are fairly sparse, a decent size and set around a large, grassed square.

This inviting guest farm, located 6km east of Solitaire on the C14, is a peaceful oasis situated between the Namib plains and the Naukluft Massif. Bright rooms, home-cooked meals and relaxing surroundings make it a good choice.

East of Solitaire, original Camp Gecko has Meru-style safari tents and unusual, two-storey tents known as Bush Hideaways. It's an excellent choice at a price a little lower than most in the area.

This relatively new lodge is in a handy spot between Solitaire and Sesriem (34km from Sesriem). The chalets are supremely comfortable and have rooftop decks so you can sleep under the stars. There's also an excellent campsite, while in the main lodge there's a sundowner deck and lounge; meals are only available if booked well in advance.

Off the C19 between Sesriem and Solitaire, this extraordinary tented camp clings to a steep hillside and the result is vertigo-inducing, sunset-facing views. The wood-floored tents open up to maximise the sense of flying above the desert but even so you'll just want to sit on your balcony (or in your private splash pool) all evening. Stunning bathrooms round out a wonderful package. The suites are even more decadent.

This unique accommodation is known for its bizarre water gardens and cool and cave-like cement-domed chalets. The Rostock Campsite is a peaceful 7km from the lodge itself. The staff can arrange a number of activities, including hiking, a visit to the nearby hot springs and the obligatory trip to Sossusvlei. The Ritz lies east of the C14, just south of the C26 junction.

Run on solar energy and making a virtue of its remoteness, NamibRand Family Hideout is run by Andreas and Mandy, who offer a warm welcome, two wonderfully isolated campsites and accommodation in the farmhouse (sleeps 10). Much of the old farm infrastructure, now defunct, has been left in situ to evoke the property's sheep-farming days. Farm rates vary with the number of people staying.

This stunning place frequently appears in Condé Nast as one of the top lodges in the world, and we're inclined to agree. The property contains 10 chalets, which are constructed from locally quarried stone and appear to blend effortlessly into the surrounding landscape. The interiors showcase contemporary flair with lovely earth tones, and feature personal fireplaces, marble baths and linen-covered patios.

As always with &Beyond properties, exemplary service is a feature. Of special interest is the on-site observatory, which boasts a high-powered telescope and local star charts.

A stunning Wolwedans property, Boulders Lodge puts its back hard up against a protrusion of bouldered hills, which gives a sense of refuge from the great emptiness of the land all around, but with splendid views of the desert in all its immensity. The rooms are stunning, with extraordinary views without even leaving your bed.

One of the more affordable lodges in the NamibRand, Wolwedans Dune Lodge features an architecturally arresting collection of raised wooden chalets that are scattered amid towering red sand dunes. Service is impeccable, and the atmosphere is overwhelmingly elegant, yet you can indulge your wild side at any time with chauffeured 4WD dune drives and guided safaris.