Located on a hilltop roughly 30km outside Windhoek, a stay at Gocheganas promises rejuvenation and tranquillity. A luxurious lodge in a scenic nature reserve, the wildlife, and excellent spa facilities make it the one place around the capital where we would recommend longer than a one night stay, with various activities and holistic treatments to fill the time. There are 16 spacious thatched suites, including one Crown Suite with two bedrooms, perfect for small groups and families. All boast satellite TV and DVD player, an indoor en-suite bathroom with bathtub and an external shower, along with large windows and a private deck overlooking the reserve.

Wildlife is surprisingly abundant here, and a game drive or guided walk can yield sightings of antelope, zebra, giraffe, cheetah, leopard and even white rhino! There are stone-age caves to explore, an increasing number of which are still being discovered within the reserve, and you can also look round under your own steam by mountain bike. Perhaps most impressive is the wellness centre, with 11 treatment rooms, a heated indoor swimming pool, a cave sauna, gym and yoga facilities, meaning a stay at Gocheganas can be as relaxing or active as you choose. As a short relaxing spa break or a gentle introduction to Namibia’s wildlife and game viewing activities, we can strongly recommend Gocheganas.