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.