Sesfontein | Namibia
Sesfontein Guesthouse: Your Gateway to Kaokoland
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Sesfontein Guesthouse sits in the village of Sesfontein, roughly 113 km north of Palmwag. It marks the meeting point of Damaraland and Kaokoland. Life here moves at a village pace — donkey carts on the road, roosters before sunrise. With 10 comfortable rooms and a genuinely local restaurant, it’s a well-placed base for exploring both regions.
What Makes Sesfontein Guesthouse Different
The onsite restaurant serves meals made largely from local ingredients and homemade bread, including a banana bread the guesthouse is well known for. Beyond the food, Sesfontein offers a genuine taste of local culture, with the option to interact with traditionally living Himba communities nearby.
Accommodation at Sesfontein Guesthouse
The guesthouse has 10 comfortably furnished rooms, each with a double bed and the option of an extra single bed. Every room comes with an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, mosquito nets, a TV and ample space to store your luggage — ideal for self-drive travellers carrying gear for Kaokoland. See our Damaraland accommodation guide for the full picture of where to stay for your onward journey.
Location & Getting There
Sesfontein Guesthouse is reached by self-drive, with a rented 4×4 vehicle recommended for the journey, or it can be included as a stop on a guided Namibian safari.
- Swakopmund: 535km (about 6h30min – 7h drive).
- Etosha – Galton Gate: 209km (about 3h15 min drive).
- Khorixas: 268km (about 3h50min).
- Twyfelfontein: 219km (about 3h drive).
- Palmwag: 113km (about 1h45min).
Activities & Experiences
- Guests can search for desert-adapted elephants along the Hoanib River on a guided elephant drive.
- Visit an authentic Himba village.
- Join a sundowner drive.
- Book one of the guesthouse’s sleep-out packages, which includes guided rhino tracking or guided desert elephant tracking. This is a genuine, structured activity here rather than a chance sighting.
Nearby Attractions
- Sesfontein is close to Ongongo Waterfall Campsite, just 26 km away, a scenic spring-fed waterfall and pool worth a visit even if you’re not staying there.
- For rhino tracking elsewhere in the region, see our Damaraland rhino tracking guide.
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Gallery
Facilities & Amenities
Bedroom
10 guest rooms
En-suite Bathroom
Air Conditioning
Mosquito Nets
Wheel chair friendly access
Colour TV
Bathroom
Shower
En-suite
Reception Services
Check-In Time: 14:00
Check-Out Time: 10:00
Secure parking.
Food Drink
Restaurant (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Local Ingredients
Homemade Bread
Banana Bread
Outdoors
Swimming pool
Activities
Searching for Desert Elephants in the Hoanib River
Sundowner drive
Himba Cultural visit
Various Sleep-Out Packages (rhino & desert elephant tracking)
Media Technology
Free Wi-Fi
Languages Spoken
EnglishAfrikaans
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sesfontein Guesthouse offer rhino tracking?
Yes, guided rhino tracking is available through the guesthouse’s sleep-out packages, one of the confirmed rhino tracking bases
Can I see desert-adapted elephants from Sesfontein Guesthouse?
Excursions along the Hoanib River are arranged to look for desert-adapted elephants, though sightings can’t be guaranteed on any single outing.
How far is Sesfontein Guesthouse from Palmwag?
Roughly 113 km north of Palmwag, positioning it as a gateway between Damaraland and Kaokoland.
Is Sesfontein Guesthouse a good base for Kaokoland?
Yes, its location at the edge of Kaokoland makes it a practical, comfortable stop before heading further north into the region.
Reviews
Simone
2 months ago
A very nice hostess and excellent cuisine. The chef is fantastic.
Laurent Rousset
3 months ago
Perfect for a break and a game to go see the elephants
petrycer
3 months ago
Don’t go there ever!!!!
We came in with two children aged 6 and 9.
We asked for lunch…and they only had toast and pasta.
We ordered the pasta and some sodas…and the manager charged us 1500 Namibian dollars for a poorly made pasta dish and soda - 350 dollars for each meal also for the kids. Waste of time, money and good faith in people - and incredibly disappointing!
We will of course never come back, and we will tell everyone about this experience!
Turing
6 months ago
my to stop place in sesefontein
julien vandenbroucke
7 months ago
Very nice room!
Simple and clean.
Super welcoming host!
I recommend this place.
Ryan Hart
2 years ago
Just a quick overnight stop but Anniki(spelling? sorrry!) and her team were extremely welcoming. A lovely homely atmosphere with great food - a welcomed change from the rest of our trip. Rooms very clean and comfortable. Great value. Very forthcoming with local knowledge ensuring we got the best experience for our ongoing trip. We will return and recommend to any travelers.
Laura McMillan
3 years ago
We didnt stay at the hotel but we ate at the resturant. We asked earlier in the day for a vegatarian meal for dinner, and it was delcious. A big meal of vegetables at a great price. The chef was happy to prepare a vegan and a vegetarian meal. The best restaurant in town for sure and the easiest way to get vegetables too.
Joanna Cieslak
6 years ago
We agreed on a different price the day before with the guesthouse service than we paid in the end.
Service and food were good, so 2 stars, though as standard in Namibia forget about good coffee. They gave us contacts to the guide in Puros and a few tips.
The next day owners came and said the price we had aggreed on the day before is for locals. We could have swollen it without me posting this comment (though agreed prices are agreed), if we had not paid 65eur per person per night B&B and one dinner dish (not 3) in Corona times when everyone else was giving us discounts and there were scarcely any other travellers in the country.
For comparison in Etosha we paid 60eur per night per person B&B plus full dinner in a luxury lodges overseeing directly the pond where the animals drink. Epupa Falls lodge with the direct view over the Falls was 50Eur per person all inclusive.
The guesthouse has a more motel style with toilet seats and shower separated from the bed with a 1 meter high metal plate.
In a places similar to those we paid app. 30eur not being locals.
Facit: if you hear good price, pay the day before / in advance.
This comment is to teach the owners that this policy is a short-term solution that gets people away from you in a long-term.
