Standard Twin/Double Tent(s) (19 rooms)
Family Accommodation (2 rooms)
Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
The comfortable and elegant main area lounge opens onto sweeping views of the Kulala Wilderness Reserve.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
The guest tents have been built on raised wooden platforms to maximise their expansive views.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
Can you even say you've been to Kulala Desert Lodge if you haven't climbed Big Daddy dune?
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
Take a nature drive to explore the otherworldly landscapes around the lodge.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
The firepit invites convivial pre-dinner drinks.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
Explore the reserve on a fat-wheeled e-bike, before stopping for a welcome sundowner.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
Dead Vlei is an enormous clay pan, flanked by the immense sand dunes of Sossusvlei.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
A Kulala balloon safari offers the truly unique experience of soaring above the magnificent Namib Desert landscape. Activity at extra cost and closed on 25 December and 01 January, and from mid-January to mid-February.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
An e-bike ride is a fun way to explore the spectacular open plains with your guide.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
Kulala Desert Lodge's lounge area is elegance personified.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
The generous proportions of the main area mimic the sweeping vistas over the Kulala Wilderness Reserve.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
Unobtrusive earth tones define the decor in the main area.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
Explore the ancient dunes around Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
The lodge's main area was completely rebuilt in early 2024, with modern stretch canvas tents replacing the previously thatched roofs.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
Light and airy neutral tones lend a fresh sense of place to the main area.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
Appetising treats are a feature of every menu offering.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
Enjoy a tasty lunch feast outside on the deck.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
The granite bar-top adds a sophisticated touch to this public space.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
The thatch-and-canvas guest tents are spacious, with roomy decks for private dining, or a quiet pre-dinner drink.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
Down-to-Earth Kulala Desert Lodge is comfortable, and perfect for groups, families, and self-drive guests.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
Dead Vlei is arguably the most photogenic landmark in an area bristling with extraordinary natural beauty.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
Discover an abundance of desert life on a guided nature walk.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
The inviting pool area beckons for sundowners, or a refreshing dip.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
A special occasion is celebrated over a romantic private dinner.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
A private table for two in the desert.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
Start your evening with a fascinating tasting of fine South African wine from our cellar.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
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Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
There are a number of exceptional spots to celebrate with a loved one over a private dinner.
Photographer credit: Wilderness
Highlights
- Enjoy early, private access to the renowned towering red dunes of Sossusvlei and iconic Dead Vlei through our exclusive-use gate.
- Unforgettable desert adventures, fascinating geological formations and desert-adapted wildlife encounters await all who visit.
- Soar above the vast Namib Sand Sea and mystical fairy circles on a thrilling hot air balloon ride* launched on our private reserve.
- The Namib Sand Sea is a World Heritage Site, and here, Sossusvlei is the result of a series of fascinating geological events. The flow of the ephemeral Tsauchab River, now blocked by a mass of sand, is flanked by some of the tallest dunes in the world.
*[weather permitting and at additional cost]
NOTE: Ballooning closed on 25 December and 01 January, and from mid-January to mid-February.
Destination: Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge is ideally situated on 27,000 hectares of pristine private land at the foot of the majestic Sossusvlei dunes, surrounded by miles and miles of ancient desert. Its exclusive-use gate allows guests early access to explore Sossusvlei, one of the most remarkable and photogenic landscapes on Earth.
Experience: The vast dunefields beckon, offering thrilling adventures. Guests can climb Big Daddy, one of the highest sand dunes in the world; hike along the 30-metre deep Sesriem Canyon, where water has carved through the rock over millennia; or take a leisurely stroll near camp along the Tsauchab River Trail. Exhilarating nature drives and guided walks spotting desert-adapted wildlife are also on offer, as well as a family favourite – a guided exploration of the spectacular gravel plains on electric-powered fat-tyre bikes. Perhaps even more unforgettable: take it all in from above, hot air ballooning** over this fantastical landscape. A rooftop sleep-out under millions of stars completes this amazing desert journey.
**(at extra cost on a DB1 rate basis; however, included on an FI rate basis; subject to availability on either rate basis)
Purpose: Once farmland used for subsistence goat farming, the Kulala Wilderness Reserve had very little indigenous wildlife. In 1996 Wilderness stepped in to rehabilitate the area and today the land and its wildlife have returned to their former glorious natural state.
Wildlife: The area is home to striking desert-adapted wildlife, such as the majestic oryx, (or gemsbok, the national animal of Namibia) as well springbok, spotted hyena, and the occasional brown hyena. Smaller creatures such as bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, porcupine, Cape fox, and aardwolf can also be spotted. The aptly named dune lark, a true endemic that is perfectly camouflaged by the sand, is a fascinating find, as are a surprisingly diverse array of insects, reptiles, and rodents. Other fascinating critters to look out for include the buck-spoor spider with its multi-entrance burrow – and ambush specialist, the antlion. At dusk the iconic call of barking geckos echoes in the still night.
Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge: Down-to-Earth Kulala Desert Lodge is comfortable and perfect for groups, families, and self-drive guests. Its welcoming atmosphere quickly has guests feeling at home. The 21 thatch-and-canvas rooms (including two family units) are built on raised wooden platforms, with flat rooftop areas for sleep-outs under the extraordinarily clear Namibian night sky.
A comfortable and elegant open living area, sparkling pool and wraparound veranda overlooking a waterhole comprise the public main area. Antiquated tree trunks used as pillars create a striking natural feature that draws you further into this remarkable desert realm.
