Situated on a private ranch just north-east of Mariental, Bagatelle is one of the most homely, well-appointed lodges in the Southern Kalahari. Perfect for an overnight stay on the route from Windhoek to the Fish River Canyon, there is also plenty to keep the more leisurely visitor occupied for at least two nights. Surrounded by soft orange dunes that are often not prevalent in this area of the Kalahari, natural materials have been utilised as much as possible to help the accommodation blend in seamlessly with its earthy surrounds.

All of the rooms are spacious and comfortable, with plenty of wooden furnishings given extra colour by African fabrics and artefacts. Four of the chalets are elevated on stilts and perched upon a dune, all boasting bathtubs, whereas the six “”haybale”” (Strohballe) chalets in a valley between dunes have a shower only. There are also four Garden Courts in a private garden next to the main lodge, which has been converted from the original farmhouse. Here you will find a restaurant, bar and lounge, while elsewhere on the property there is a refreshing swimming pool and an open air lapa for al fresco dining. There are diverse activities to sample, from nature drives on the ranch to a visit to the cheetah enclosure operated jointly with the CCF, while habituated meerkats pay regular visits to the chalets!