Kulala Desert Lodge is located within Namibia's arid Namib Desert on the 37,000 hectare private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, and is closest to the iconic red dunes of the Sossusvlei.

Kulala Desert Lodge boasts magnificent views of the famous red sand dunes of Sossusvlei, breathtaking mountain scenery and vast open plains. There is an abundance of space and silence to be found here.

As part of the Wilderness Safaris Group, your stay at Kulala will be as all-inclusive as possible, with the core activities such as game drives, nature walks and all meals included in the price of accommodation.

Accommodation at Kulala Desert Lodge comprises 15 thatched and canvas "kulalas" ("to sleep" in Oshiwambo) with en-suite bathrooms and verandas. Each unit 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 to sleep under the myriad stars that Namibia's clear skies portray.

Kulala Desert Lodge has a main area with decor inspired by northern Africa, as well as a lounge, bar, 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.

Sossusvlei translates into '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. This creates temporary lakes that mirror the sand dunes surrounding them and Kulala Desert Lodge offers guests the unique opportunity to experience this miraculous transformation. 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.

From Kulala Desert Lodge guests can witness the wonders of the sparsely distributed desert-adapted wildlife such as ostrich, springbok and gemsbok as the eke out an existence. Larger predators include spotted hyaena and the occasional 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. 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 around Kulala Desert Lodge - 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.

Activities at Kulala Desert Lodge revolve around early morning guided nature drives to the spectacular dunes of Sossusvlei through the 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 rainfalls when, in a complete turn-around, it becomes a spectacular turquoise lake.

Nature drives and walks are also offered through the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve to take in 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.

Horse riding safaris are also available on request and at an additional cost.

Please note that activities will be at an additional cost if guests are not booked on the Fully Inclusive accommodation rate.

Rates available on enquiry.