Doro Nawas Camp: A Damaraland Safari Camp Near Twyfelfontein

Doro Nawas Camp sits at the heart of Damaraland, perched on a rocky outcrop above the dry Aba-Huab River. The Etendeka Mountains rise to the north and Twyfelfontein’s red sandstone cliffs to the south. Desert views stretch in every direction from a striking rooftop-accessed main area. The camp’s name means “the place where rhinos used to live” in Damara. It is a joint venture between the operator, the Doro !Nawas Conservancy and a Namibian empowerment company, channelling tourism revenue directly back into the surrounding communities.

What Makes Doro Nawas Different

Doro Nawas’s 16 suites are built from wood, canvas and thatch, each opening onto sweeping desert views, with private outdoor showers and airy verandas for stargazing. The camp’s main area has rooftop access for 360-degree panoramic views over the surrounding plains, a rare feature among Damaraland’s camps. The joint-venture structure with the Doro !Nawas Conservancy means the camp is directly tied to local conservation and community income, giving guests a genuine link between their stay and the region’s conservation economy.

Accommodation at Doro Nawas Camp

Suites feature beds fitted with wheels so they can be rolled onto the private deck for a sleep-out under the stars, along with a writing desk, electronic safe and tea and coffee facilities. There is no air-conditioning, though ceiling and pedestal fans are provided. A family suite is available, and en-suite bathrooms include both an indoor and an outdoor shower.

Location & Getting There

Doro Nawas is reached by self-drive travellers or those arriving on a flying safari in Namibia, and sits within easy reach of Twyfelfontein and central Damaraland’s key landmarks.

• Swakopmund: 346 km (about 4h 20m drive).
• Etosha National Park – Galton Gate: 254 km (3h 30m).
• Etosha Naional Park – Andersson Gate: 305 km (about 3h30m – 4h drive).
• Khorixas: 78.6 km (1h drive).

Activities & Experiences

• Day trips from Doro Nawas take in Twyfelfontein’s rock engravings, Burnt Mountain, the Petrified Forest and the Organ Pipes.
• Guests can join 4×4 nature drives. Desert-adapted elephants are regularly encountered on drives, and the region’s elusive black rhino is occasionally glimpsed too, though this is incidental to a general nature drive rather than a dedicated, guided rhino tracking activity. Other wildlife that can be seen include kudu, springbok, oryx, and zebras.
• Guided walks/scenic walks.
• Cultural excursions to the Damara Living Museum.
• Stargazing sessions and scorpion walks.

Nearby Attractions

• Doro Nawas is well placed for visits to the ancient Twyfelfontein rock art and a cultural stop at the Living Museum of the Damara.
• For other places to stay nearby, see our Damaraland accommodation guide.