Family-friendly Kulala Desert Lodge is located within the arid Namib Desert on the 27 000-hectare (67 000-acre) private Kulala Wilderness Reserve. Comprising 23 thatched and canvas "kulalas" 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 for sleep-outs under the stars. There are also three tents which can accommodate a family of four each.
The convivial main area includes a lounge, bar, dining area, plunge pool, and wrap-around veranda overlooking the riverbed – a perfect location to view and photograph the desert vista and to contemplate the day’s exciting activities.
Activities revolve around early morning guided drives to the dunes of Sossusvlei through the private gate (for Wilderness Safaris vehicles exclusively) on the Tsauchab River, as well as nature drives and walks on the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve.
World-famous Sossusvlei is both the name for the area in general as well as an enormous clay pan, flanked by the enormous sand dunes. Nearby, at the foot of some these dunes the skeletons of trees dominate the landscape, where once water flowed. This is known as Dead Vlei.
This fascinating geographical formation is well worth a visit. The result of millions of years where water carved its way into the earth, Sesriem Canyon is today three kilometres long. Views from the top are breathtaking while walks through the canyon reveal distinct geographical layers which were laid down over aeons.
The 37 000-hectare private Kulala Nature Reserve offers visitors exclusive wildlife-viewing opportunities which include the likes of gemsbok (oryx), bat-eared fox, brown hyaena and birdlife. Enjoy a coffee or sunder stop in scenic parts of the reserve as a highlight.
Walking trails focus on becoming immersed in this remote area, as well as its scenic beauty and the fascinating, and surprisingly, diverse array of insects, reptiles and rodents which make this dry and harsh region their home. The Tsauchab River Trail takes a stroll along the dry riverbed close by the camp.
Set out in the late afternoon for a nature drive and complete your excursion in a remote and dramatic spot on the reserve, sipping a gin and tonic while watching the sun set over the distant mountains or dunes.
Sleep out under the starry starry skies of the Namib and be lulled to sleep by the sounds of Africa on the roof or your unit.
The balloon safari on the Kulala Wilderness Reserve 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. *This activity is at additional cost and is closed from 15 January to 15 February.
Ride through some of the most spectacular and unusual scenery on the planet on well-schooled horses. Watch the sun go down at a beautiful spot while sipping a drink and then canter back under the stars in time for dinner. *This activity is at additional cost and on request.
Desert-adapted wildlife to be seen on the Kulala Wilderness Reserve includes ostrich, springbok, gemsbok, spotted hyaena and the occasional brown hyaena. Smaller creatures such as bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, porcupine, Cape fox and aardwolf can also be seen. One bird, the aptly named dune lark, has its entire global distribution limited to the area. A surprisingly diverse array of insects, reptiles and rodents make their home around Kulala Desert Lodge. At dusk the call of barking geckoes can be heard, and walks reveal the smaller creatures - the buck-spoor spider with its multi-entrance burrow or the ambush specialist antlion, to name but a few.
