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Namibia Safari

Kulala Desert Lodge

Sossusvlei, Namibia

Walking the dunes at Kulala Desert Lodge
Return to Map of Sossusvlei & NamibRand

View images of Kulala Desert Lodge: Kulala Desert Lodge Images
View Camp Layout Map of Kulala Desert Lodge: Kulala Desert Lodge Map

KULALA DESERT LODGE RATES: Kulala Desert Lodge Rates

KULALA DESERT LODGE - SOSSUSVLEI, NAMIBIA
Situated on over 46,000 acres of the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, bordering the Namib Naukluft Park, Kulala Desert Lodge lies in the heart of the Namib. It offers magnificent views of the famous red dunes of Sossusvlei as well as spectacular mountain scenery and vast open plains. Kulala Desert Lodge is owned and operated by Wilderness Safaris.

Accommodation            For images of Kulala Desert Lodge, click Kulala Desert Lodge Images
Kulala Desert Lodge comprises 15 thatched and canvas "kulalas" ("to sleep" in Oshiwambo) with en-suite bathrooms and verandas. Each room is built on a wooden platform to catch the cooling breezes and has a deck on the flat rooftop where bedrolls are placed for guests who wish to sleep under the myriad stars that Namibia's clear skies portray.

Chalet details:
• 11 x “kulalas”, each with twin beds (and there are 2 extra beds available for children/triples)
• 2 x double “kulalas”
• 2 x family rooms – accommodates four guests
• 4 tour leaders/guides can be accommodated in rondavels (not the same standard as a guest unit)

• Each “kulala” is especially adapted to the unique desert conditions, built on a platform to ensure maximum airflow; a thatch roof provides a cool respite from the sun
• Ceiling fans ensure a breeze at all times
• En-suite with shower, flush toilet and hand basin
• Each room has a veranda with view of the dunes
• A private rooftop area on top of the bathroom gives guests the opportunity of spending a night under the magnificent night sky for which luxury bedrolls are available any time.
• Safe in each chalet

Camp Details:
• The thatch roofed main lodge has been built entirely of clay bricks in an African desert style
• Reception, lounge, pub, dining room and veranda
• There is a swimming pool with shaded area if guests want to relax during the heat of the day.
• Stargazing deck

The main area, with décor inspired by northern Africa, has a lounge, pub, dining area, plunge pool, and wrap-around veranda overlooking the waterhole - a perfect location to view and photograph the desert vista. The overall setting is a true delight to the senses, bringing together the rhythm of Namibia, wholesome meals and intimacy. A waterhole in front of camp attracts a number of local wildlife (such as gemsbok, springbok, ostrich and jackal) and provides a perfect location to view and photograph the desert scenery.

Daily laundry service is included in the nightly tariff.

Activities
Early morning guided nature drives to the spectacular dunes of Sossusvlei are through a private gate on the Tsauchab River. World-famous Sossusvlei is an enormous clay pan, flanked by the famous red sand dunes that stand out starkly against the blue sky. These dunes have developed over millions of years, the wind continuously transforming the contours of this red sand sea. The 'vlei' itself only fills after rare heavy rainfall when, in a complete turn-around, it becomes a spectacular turquoise lake.

Nature drives and walks are also offered on the private reserve with those incredible views, and to catch a glimpse of the denizens of the desert. Another option, at an extra cost, is early morning ballooning, beginning at first light. The balloon safari 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.

Activities Offered:
• Nature drives into the desert in 3 x 9 seater and 2 x 8 seater vehicles
• Walking Trails, including the Tsauchab River Trail
• Visit to Sossusvlei and Sesriem
• Balloon safaris (extra cost; closed 15 January to 15 February)
• Horse riding safari (on request and at an extra cost)
• The Scenic sundowner tour is one of the best scenic safaris in the Namib.
• Private vehicles can be booked at an additional cost, subject to availability

Wildlife and Environment
Sossusvlei itself means 'the gathering place of water' in the local Nama language, and, odd as it may seem, in good years seasonal rains in the foothills of the Naukluft and Tsaris Mountains succeed in reaching the vleis, creating temporary lakes that mirror the sand dunes surrounding them. The vleis have evocative names such as Hidden Vlei and Dead Vlei, while the dunes rise up to 300 metres above the valley floor with razor-sharp edges that stand out against the blue sky.

Sossusvlei is situated within the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world, which itself is part of the Namib Naukluft National Park that stretches 400km south of Walvis Bay and is sandwiched between the west coast and the escarpment that runs parallel more than 100km inland. Its huge red dunes and flat valley floors make up the archetypical view of the Namib that is world famous.

Desert-adapted wildlife such as ostrich, springbok and gemsbok eke out an existence and are sparsely distributed here. Larger predators include spotted hyaena and occasionally brown hyaena, a mystical shaggy-coated scavenger. Smaller creatures such as bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, porcupine, Cape fox and aardwolf can be seen at night in the cool desert air, and one bird, the aptly named Dune Lark, has its entire global distribution limited to the area, so dependent is it on the area's characteristic sands.

Despite the lack of vegetation and low rainfall, a surprisingly diverse array of insects, reptiles and rodents make their home here - surviving thanks in part to the coastal fog that creeps up off the sea each dawn and penetrates up to 50km inland. At dusk the call of barking geckoes resonate around you, and walks reveal the smaller creatures - the buck-spoor spider with its multi-entrance burrow or the ambush specialist ant-lion to name but a few.

The dunes are also evocatively known as the Sand Sea. The dunes nearest the coast are most mobile and no vegetation grows on them, as they are constantly evolving. Rainfall at the coast can average dramatically less than 50mm a year, and even further inland it measures a paltry 50-100mm annually.


Top           Return to Map of Sossusvlei & NamibRand

For further information about the National Parks of Namibia, click Nam Parks
For History and General information about Namibia, click More Namibia


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