Kulala Wilderness Camp, situated in the heart of the Namib Desert on the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, lies at the base of a mountain perfectly catching the majestic Namibian sunsets. Close by is the Sossusvlei with its ever-changing red sand hills - the highest dunes in the world and an unquestionable Namibian highlight.

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 Wilderness Camp consists of 10 comfortable "kulalas" (meaning "to sleep" in Oshiwambo) with en-suite bathrooms and verandas built on elevated platforms for that spectacular view. The main area is raised to take advantage of the endless vista and comprises a lounge and bar under thatch. Meals are taken on the deck and guests can cool off at the sparkling pool.

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 Wilderness Camp 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.

Despite the lack of vegetation and low rainfall, a surprisingly diverse array of insects, reptiles and rodents make their home around Kulala Wilderness Camp - 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.

Activities at Kulala Wilderness Camp are focused on exploring the nearby world-famous Sossusvlei - an enormous clay pan, flanked by the famous red sand dunes that stand out starkly against the blue sky. These dunes - the most well-known being Big Daddy or Dune 45 - have developed over millions of years, the wind continuously refashioning the contours of this red sand sea. The 'vlei' itself only fills after rare heavy rainfall when, in a complete turn-around, it transforms into a spectacular turquoise lake.

On the edge of the Namib, the oldest desert in the world, wildlife around Kulala Wilderness Camp is fascinating in its adaptation to the harsh conditions. Sparse, yet thrilling to see, are springbok, gemsbok, ostrich, bat-eared fox, the rarely seen aardwolf and many small fauna. Excursions to the incredible dunes of Sossusvlei are a must, as are guided walks and scenic nature drives.

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.

Kulala Wilderness Camp caters mainly to the self-drive market but guided excursions and game drives are offered at additional cost (or included if you are booked on the Fully Inclusive basis) from the camp.

Rates available on enquiry.