Betesda Lodge is situated on beautiful farmland near Sossusvlei and is located 32kms from the gate at Sesriem. The name Sesriem is Afrikaans and means "six belts", since the early settlers had to attach together six belts (made of oryx hides), in order to lower buckets down into the canyon to scoop up water, from the pools that were inaccessible to their livestock.

Sossusvlei is a clay pan - set amid huge piles of sand known as star dunes - in the central Namib Desert, and lies within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia. Fed by the Tsauchab River, it is known for the high, red sand dunes which surround it, forming part of the sand sea, which stretches just north of Luderitz to the Kuiseb River. Some of these dunes reach as high as 220m. Vegetation, such as the camelthorn tree, is watered by infrequent floods of the Tsauchab River, which slowly soak into the underlying clay.

Sossusvlei is one of 4 clay pans in the area, the others being The Dead Vlei, Hidden Vlei and Nara Vlei. A 60km tarred road runs along the Tsauchab valley, and access to the valley is from Sesriem. The road ends 4kms short of Sossusvlei, but 4x4 vehicles can go further. There is a shuttle transport service or if visitors prefer, it is safe to walk.

Betesda Lodge has a restaurant/bar and a guest lounge. All meals are served buffet style and Namibian cuisine is the order of the day. There is a swimming pool, laundry service, disabled access and secure parking. Betesda is also child-friendly.

Accommodation is in 25 double and 5 family rooms. Each room has an en-suite bathroom, a fan and mosquito nets. The rooms were built with flat rocks from the mountains of Betesda, and have there are wonderful views over the Namib Desert.

Activities include the famous and spectacular sunrise Sossusvlei excursions. On the return journey, guests will take a short drive to walk through Sesriem Canyon. Sundowner drives and quad biking trips can also be arranged, the routes start and finish from the lodge.

The lodge has a Christian emphasis, but this need not deter guests of other religious persuasions.

Betesda Lodge has it's own landing strip nearby, for transfers to and from the lodge for it's guests.

Directions:

Betesda Rest Camp is situated 40 km south east of Sesriem. It is on the northern side of the D854, 5 km east of the junction with the C19.
Landing strip - Co-ordinates S2439.70 E0160.02