Kulala Desert Lodge is situated on the 210 km² private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, south of Sesriem. It is the only lodge in the Sossusvlei area that has such a close and spectacular view over the Namib sand sea. The setting and proximity to the red desert dunes, literally only a few steps away, make this lodge an ideal desert destination.

It also has it's own gate into the Namib Naukluft Park, which leads to the popular dunes of Sossusvlei and the Sesriem Canyon. This makes the sunrise trip less arduous, and gives guests more time to enjoy the solitude and beauty of the occasion.

Sossusvlei means 'the gathering place of water' in the local Nama language. 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. It is a clay pan - set amid huge piles of sand known as star dunes and is fed by the ephemeral Tsauchab River. The high, red sand dunes which surround Sossusvlei form part of the sand sea, which stretches from 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.

The Kulala Lodge main area, with North African inspired décor, has been built using a combination of clay and thatch. It has a lounge, bar, dining area, plunge pool, and wrap-around veranda overlooking the waterhole. This feature attracts a number of local wildlife, (such as gemsbok, springbok, ostrich and jackal.)

For guests participating in the early morning activities, (Sossusvlei trip or the hot-air ballooning), tea, coffee and rusks are served at the lodge before departing. The remaining guests can tuck into a breakfast buffet, laid out in the lodge's dining area. (Freshly baked scones, hard boiled eggs, cold meats, cheeses,cereals, yogurts, or a cooked breakfast made to order.) When on the morning 4WD excursion to Sossusvlei, brunch is served at a fully laid table, under a camelthorn tree. A buffet selection of cold dishes is offered for travelers requiring lunch at the lodge. Dinner is a 3-course affair served either outside on the verandah by candle light, or indoors, depending on the time of the year.

Accommodation at Kulala Desert Lodge is in one of 15 thatched/canvas chalets or Kulalas. (Kulala in 'Oshiwambo' means 'to sleep'.) They all have en-suite bathrooms and showers. Each unit has been constructed on wooden platforms to provide maximum airflow. They also have a flat rooftop and guests can move upstairs, to 'sleep under the stars.'

Their sunrise excursion into the Sossusvlei dunes, leaves a few minutes before sunrise, breakfast is served afterwards at the dunes. There are also morning, afternoon and night drives, and guided walks on the reserve.

Although the area around Kulala Desert Lodge is not rich in terms of game, springbok, gemsbok (Oryx) and ostrich, all manage to survive in this harsh climate. On spotlit night drives, guests will often encounter small mammals such as aardwolf, bat-eared fox, hares and occasionally spotted-hyenas.

Directions:

Kulala Desert Lodge is 350 km south of Windhoek and can easily by reached by sedan car. The entrance is situated 17 km south of Sesriem on the road 826 (follow the signpost with arrows on the C19).

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