There are places that don’t just welcome you; they envelope you. Nambwa Tented Lodge is one of them. Built on raised wooden platforms, the camp hides in the trees. Elevated walkways meander through the riverine forest, and the canvas suites blend into the canopy. Below, life moves as it always has… Elephants pass silently beneath, hippos snort at the river’s edge and leopard tracks mark the sand.

To stay at Nambwa is to tune in to a lullaby of wilderness. By day the treetops fill with birdsong. At night a lion calls so close that it resonates in your bones. The suites themselves are stunning: vast and luxurious, with crisp white linen, private lounges for reading and reflection and deep bathtubs perfectly positioned to watch wildlife in the Kwando River below. It is the kind of place where doing nothing becomes an immersive experience.

Mornings begin with rich, earthy coffee from Two Beards, roasted specially for African Monarch Lodges. It tastes best on the deck while wildlife wander in the distance. Game drives lead you through thick vegetation to Horseshoe Bend, where red lechwe leap across the water, their spray glistening in the morning light.

Evenings unfold at a slower rhythm. Giraffes silhouette against a pink sky, and a crisp Namibian craft gin, infused with local botanicals, marks the end of the day. Toasting the land with its own flavours – there is something grounding in that.

And then there is the food – easily the unexpected highlight of your stay. Fresh and thoughtful, each dish is masterfully balanced across four courses, with subtle threads linking each plate to the next. These connections are barely noticeable, but together they create a quiet symphony of decadence. From the delicate amusebouche to the elegant desserts, the journey is seamless and unforgettable. The food alone may just convince you to return, even if you never spot a single elephant.

We travelled as a family, our young child in tow, whose eyes lit up with delight at the idea of staying in a real-life treehouse connected by wooden walkways – the stuff of dreamy imagination. Though too young for the full Junior Ranger Programme, we were heartened to discover Nambwa’s thoughtful, child-friendly approach. For slightly older children, the lodge offers immersive safari experiences that mix conservation education with playful discovery. It is a place where even young travellers can forge deep connections with the wild.