Namib Desert Lodge sits at the foot of a red sandstone cliff, which consists of the fossilized dunes of an ancient Namib. It is situated just 60 km north of Sesriem, and is the gateway to Sossusvlei, and only 5 kms from the main road. It is in the Gondwana Namib Park, and borders Namib Naukluft Park.

The name Sesriem is Afrikaans and means six belts. Early settlers attached six belts together, (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.

The (fossil) dunes overlooking the lodge are 20 million years old and contain fossils of the ancestors of the modern day Ostrich. They are evidence that an earlier Namib existed. As the climate changed, gradually getting wetter, the additional moisture caused the sand to solidify into sandstone. Then some 5 million years ago, the climate reverted to the desert conditions found in the Namib today, allowing the formation of a new sand sea.

Sossusvlei itself 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. (Links) 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.

Namib Desert Lodge is set amongst tall trees and palms. The main building has a reception, bar and a large verandah with outside seating for guests to admire the surrounding scenery. There are also 2 swimming pools. Breakfast and dinner are served buffet style and a small selection of light lunches can be ordered on request. Their cozy bar is well-stocked with South African wines.

Accommodation is in 65 double rooms. They are all equipped with twin beds, en-suite bathrooms and air-conditioning. Some of the rooms overlook the dunes and others the cliffs to the rear.

As Namib Desert Lodge doesn't run it's own excursions into Sossusvlei, most guests self-drive into Namibia's famous dunes from here. The Lodge's own activities include an evening sundowner dune trip, complete with drinks and snacks and a 2hr hiking trail to some of the local dunes.

Accommodation in Namibia

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