Kulala Desert Lodge’s location at the foot of the majestic Sossusvlei dunes allows for stunning views in every direction, while its private entrance to the Namib Naukluft National Park makes it the closest location to Sossusvlei. The camp is ideal for self-drives and groups. Twenty-three thatched ‘kulalas’ (including one family room and two family units) on raised platforms make for airy, comfortable accommodation, and guests can even sleep out on the flat roofs. Afternoons around the pool provide relief from the heat, while the wraparound veranda at the main area overlooks a waterhole, and private tours of the dunes provide the ultimate Sossusvlei experience. - INSIDER TIP - Try your hand at desert photography – whether capturing the red colour of the dunes in the early morning light or the otherworldly tree skeletons standing starkly across the floor of Dead Vlei.
Activities available at Kulala Desert Lodge include;
Visiting Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei
World-famous Sossusvlei is both the name for the area in general as well as an enormous clay pan, flanked by the enormous sand dunes. Nearby, at the foot of some these dunes the skeletons of trees dominate the landscape, where once water flowed. This is known as Dead Vlei.
Visit Sesriem Canyon
This fascinating geographical formation is well worth a visit. The result of millions of years where water carved its way into the earth, Sesriem Canyon is today three kilometres long. Views from the top are breathtaking while walks through the canyon reveal distinct geographical layers which were laid down over aeons.
Nature drives
The 37 000-hectare private Kulala Nature Reserve offers visitors exclusive wildlife-viewing opportunities which include the likes of gemsbok (oryx), bat-eared fox, brown hyaena and birdlife. Enjoy a coffee or sunder stop in scenic parts of the reserve as a highlight.
Walking trails
Walking trails focus on becoming immersed in this remote area, as well as its scenic beauty and the fascinating, and surprisingly, diverse array of insects, reptiles and rodents which make this dry and harsh region their home. The Tsauchab River Trail takes a stroll along the dry riverbed close by the camp.
The sundowner tour
Set out in the late afternoon for a nature drive and complete your excursion in a remote and dramatic spot on the reserve, sipping a gin and tonic while watching the sun set over the distant mountains or dunes.
Star bed
Sleep out under the starry skies of the Namib and be lulled to sleep by the sounds of Africa on the roof or your unit.
Hot air balloon safari*
The balloon safari on the Kulala Wilderness Reserve offers a truly unique experience to soar silently above the magnificent sand dunes and desert, with a champagne breakfast being served at your landing site. *This activity is at additional cost and is closed on 25 December, 1 January and from 15 January to 15 February.
Horse riding safari*
Ride through some of the most spectacular and unusual scenery on the planet on well-schooled horses. Watch the sun go down at a beautiful spot while sipping a drink and then canter back under the stars in time for dinner. *This activity is at additional cost and on request.
Back in 1996 Wilderness Safaris set up their operation on land close to the spectacular Sossusvlei, land that had previously been used for subsistence goat farming, precious little indigenous wildlife remained. A massive programme to remove internal fences and livestock was undertaken and the recovering health of the ecosystem brought the wildlife back. Then, the fence that divided the Kulala Wilderness Reserve (KWR) and the Namib Rand Nature Reserve was dropped, and while those between KWR and the adjacent Namib-Naukluft National Park remain, they are no impediment to the movement of wildlife.
Conservation Safari Company recommends Kulula Desert Lodge as an excelent value lodge with the best access into the national park, (private gate) as well as excellent activities on their private land. Good food, guides and high standards along with access through Wilderness Safaris own flight schedule makes this our most popular lodge in Sossuvlei.
We generally book this lodge on a full inclusive basis - including activities, food and drinks. Please be sure you check with us on what basis you are booked.
2 Nights
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
1x Double Room
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 23
Special Interests: Flora, Hiking, Nature, Star Gazing
Centrally situated, the hotel serves as the perfect getaway to all tourists amenities which Swakopmund and surrounding areas have to offer, from sand-boarding some of the highest dunes in the world to big game viewing in one of our country's world-known game parks. Surrounded by local tour operators, aviation and safari offices and five minutes from the beach, the Hansa Hotel is perfect for the discerning traveler looking for an adrenaline filled holiday or merely a bit of relaxation.
2 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
1x Double Room
Hotel
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English, German
No. Rooms: 58
Special Interests: Beach / Coastal, Fishing, Gourmet, Relaxation, Shopping, Watersports
The Huab River Valley lies in one of the best wilderness areas in Namibia, offering endless vistas of plains, valleys and mountains. Wilderness Damaraland Camp is run in partnership with the Torra Conservancy and visits to the local farmstead reveal the fruits of this very positive relationship.
Each of the ten spacious en-suite, adobe-style thatched accommodations (including a family unit) has a large private viewing deck. New technology and ancient knowledge makes for an ultra-light footprint; nature drives and guided walks offer sights of desert-adapted wildlife, ancient rock-art and striking geological formations. Astonishing night skies round out each day’s experiences.
INSIDER'S TIP: Meet members of the local village on a community visit and discover the inspiring story of how Wilderness Damaraland Camp came to be …
1 Night
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
1x Double Room
Lodge
No. Rooms: 10
Special Interests: Birding, Nature, Wildlife
Desert Rhino Camp offers an original and exclusive wilderness experience and the possibility of seeing some of the largest free-ranging population of desert-adapted black rhino in Africa. The camp, set in a wide valley sometimes flush with grass, has eight comfortable Meru-style tents with en-suite bathrooms. A tented dining and living area and plunge pool offers uninterrupted views of the desert and mountains, while extraordinary welwitschia plants dot the plain in front of camp. Activities include rhino tracking on foot and by vehicle with Save the Rhino Trust trackers (an NGO responsible for the conservation of the black rhino in the area), full-day outings with a picnic lunch, birding and nature drives. Other species seen in the area include Hartmann’s mountain zebra, giraffe, elephant and lion. Desert Rhino Camp is run in conjunction with Save the Rhino Trust so in addition to gaining amazing insight into the ecology and conservation of this area, a portion of guest revenue goes to the Trust and its conservation operations.
Conservation Safari Company recommends Desert Rhino Camp, one of our favourites in the Damaraland region, for its wonderful ambience and the conservation and community driven relationship. Staying here makes a real difference. During your stay, take a visit to the local village to understand more about the livelihood of the community and their relationship with the lodge.
Rates are fully inclusive of meals, drinks (excludes premium options), safari activities and community/conservation levies.
2 Nights
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
1x Double Room
Lodge
No. Rooms: 6
Special Interests: Birding, Nature, Wildlife
In a remote area of the Kaokoveld, in a land of bare mountains, gravel-strewn plains and dry riverbeds that draw fascinating wildlife, lies Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp. Both the eight large en-suite tents (including one family unit) with shaded outdoor lounges and the main area and swimming pool look out over rugged scenery: a wide valley that slopes down to the almost-always dry Hoanib River. Explorations of this isolated yet diverse area take place via game drives along the riverbed’s narrow ribbon of vegetation, where a surprising wealth of desert-adapted wildlife can be found: elephant, giraffe, gemsbok and springbok, with glimpses of lion and brown hyaena. The Skeleton Coast with its desolate rocky coastline, noisy colonies of Cape fur seals and remains of shipwrecks is accessed either by a fascinating drive or scenic flight, depending on the weather. The camp is fully solar powered and a joint venture with the neighbouring Conservancies of Anabeb, Torra and Sesfontein.
Activities at Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp
Game Drives
Nature drives showcase the magnitude of the landscape and offer the best possibilities of seeing desert-adapted wildlife. Morning or afternoon drives are available, as well as full-day excursions.
Interaction with Wildlife Researchers
At the Hoanib Research Centre, presentations by, and interactions with, wildlife researchers are possible when they are in camp. These cover all current research being supported at Hoanib, in particular the vital work conducted by Dr Philip Stander and his team studying the unique desert-adapted lion.
Day Trips to Desert Oases
These oases offer an inviting respite from the dry surrounds of the desert and the chance to see wildlife coming to drink, as well as plenty of birdlife. These full-day trips are undertaken in our semi-closed game drive vehicles, with a stop for a picnic at a scenic spot along the way.
Skeleton Coast Excursion
On a stay of three or more nights, full-day excursions to the Skeleton Coast are offered. The fascinating 4x4 trip to the coast takes you via the wilderness of the Hoanib River and floodplain, the dune fields and Klein Oasis, while the Skeleton Coast itself reveals huge Cape fur seal colonies and shipwreck remains. Weather-dependent, a scenic flight back to camp offers a magnificent perspective of your journey from the air.
The most desirable lodge in Namibia right now, Conservation Safari Company recommends Hoanib for its unique combination of varied environments, game viewing and accommodation. Conservation Safari Company has sponsored lion research in this region through the Wilderness Trust - the chance of seeing lions in this vast desert is a major attraction for a lucky few.
Rates are fully inclusive of meals, drinks and safari activities.
3 Nights
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
1x Double Room
Lodge
No. Rooms: 8
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Wildlife
Ongava Lodge is one of Namibia’s premier lodges on one of the country’s most important private game reserves.
The well-established Ongava Lodge is situated in the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park. Placed as it is close to the top of a hill in the foothills of the Ondundozonanandana range, the vantage point is beautiful and overlooks a well-frequented waterhole and the plains beyond.
Ongava Lodge offers luxury accommodation in 14 rock-and-thatch en-suite chalets. There are impressive views over the camp’s waterhole from the main lounge and dining areas and there is also an inviting pool to cool off in the heat of the day. Meals are either served in the main dining area under thatch or on the dining deck under the stars.
Activities include game drives into Etosha, spending time in the camp hide, and nature drives and walks on the reserve. Ongava has resident white and black rhino, giving guests staying at Ongava the opportunity to see both species.
3 Nights
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
1x Double Room
Lodge
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English
No. Rooms: 14
Special Interests: Birding, Flora, Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Wildlife
