Farm Arbeid Adelt
A desert campsite where the landscape leads — and every structure follows.
A Campsite Within the Concession
Farm Arbeid Adelt is a planned campsite development within the concession area, designed to offer visitors an authentic desert experience while maintaining the environmental integrity required within the Namib Naukluft National Park. The development forms part of the broader Farm Arbeid Adelt Campsite and Sossusvlei Shuttle Concession awarded by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.
The guiding principle is simple: the campsite should not dominate or impose itself on a previously natural area. Every structure, every material choice, and every operational decision is guided by the imperative to maintain a sense of place — spectacular desert landscapes and vast skies, undisturbed.
Ten Individual Campsites
The campsite will comprise ten individual sites, each with private ablution facilities, set on raised wooden decks designed to sit lightly on the desert floor. The sites are conceived as convertible spaces — functioning as self-catering camping pitches or furnished tent accommodation, depending on the guest's preference.
The existing farmhouse will be renovated as the reception, maintaining its original character with a wraparound veranda, corrugated iron roof, and wooden floors. The main guest area will be a custom-built tent structure on a wooden deck, designed to blend with the landscape rather than compete with it.
Building With the Desert
Non-permanent structures will be constructed throughout, with the sole exception of the existing farmhouse — a brownfield site that will be sensitively renovated using its original materials. New structures will use wooden decks, treated poles, and canvas throughout, ensuring minimal ground disturbance and the possibility of full decommissioning.
Preference is given to building on previously developed land, upgrading and expanding existing dilapidated infrastructure rather than breaking new ground. All development follows the Eco Awards Namibia programme — an internationally recognised sustainability certification scheme of which MEFT is an official participating member.
Structures below the skyline of natural features
Layout integrated with the existing landscape contours
Vegetation undisturbed during construction
Topography unchanged — no earthworks or levelling
Minimal footprint on the desert floor
Full Environmental Impact Assessment commissioned
Off-Grid by Design
Farm Arbeid Adelt will operate entirely off-grid, drawing on solar energy, natural water sources, and closed-loop waste systems. This is not a compromise — it is a design principle that ensures the campsite operates in harmony with the environment it exists within.
Solar Energy
A 15kWh photovoltaic and generator hybrid system provides 100% of energy requirements. Each campsite has an individual 600W solar unit. A backup generator in noise-limiting housing is reserved for emergency use only.
Natural Water
A solar-driven pump draws water from the natural spring on the farm. Two 10,000-litre holding tanks provide adequate pressure. Water is tested bi-annually to certify fitness for human consumption.
Closed-Loop Waste
A three-chambered underground sewage breakdown system eliminates the need for chemical treatment. Grey water is managed through shallow French drains for trans-evaporation. Kitchen waste passes through fat traps into the sealed system.
Activities at Farm Arbeid Adelt
The campsite will offer curated experiences designed to connect visitors with the desert landscape in a meaningful, low-impact way. Every activity is conceived to enhance understanding and appreciation of the environment, not merely to entertain.
Tufa Fountain Experiences
Guided visits to the natural tufa formations on the farm — a geological feature that tells the story of ancient water systems in the Namib.
Guided Nature Walks
Interpretive walks through the desert landscape, led by trained guides who can read the subtle signs of life in one of the world's oldest deserts.
Sleep-Outs & Stargazing
The Namib offers some of the darkest skies on Earth. Sleep-out experiences bring guests into direct contact with the desert night.
Hiking Trails
Marked trails across the farm allow guests to explore the landscape at their own pace, with route options suited to different fitness levels.
Local Employment & Training
The campsite will create direct employment for the Maltahöhe and !Karkhoen communities — the two designated beneficiary communities of the concession. Roles include campsite staff, activity guides, hospitality personnel, and maintenance teams, with priority given to hiring locally.
Beyond direct employment, the campsite will serve as a training ground, developing skills in hospitality, guiding, vehicle operations, and environmental management that extend well beyond the boundaries of the concession itself.
Darkness as a Feature
Lighting levels will be deliberately low — reduced to essential lighting for service areas, operations, and movement. LED bulbs throughout ensure minimal electricity demand. Ablution facilities are well-lit but at low wattage. The goal is not to illuminate the desert, but to preserve the darkness that makes this landscape extraordinary.
In a world of light pollution, the Namib's dark skies are a vanishing resource. Farm Arbeid Adelt is designed to protect them.
Development Status
The Farm Arbeid Adelt campsite is currently in the planning and approval phase. Construction is planned to commence following the signing of the Concession Operator Contract and the commissioning of a full Environmental Impact Assessment. Development is expected to take approximately twelve calendar months from commencement.
This page will be updated as the project progresses through the required planning, environmental, and regulatory processes.
Register Your Interest
For updates on the Farm Arbeid Adelt campsite development, or to express interest in future bookings, please get in touch.
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