Etosha Mountain Lodge
- Etosha, NamibiaTrack endangered black and white rhino in an area that’s renowned for high populations of the elusive and majestic beasts.
touch the soul of africa
Little Kulala is a luxurious desert retreat situated in the private 27 000-hectare (67 000-acre) Kulala Wilderness Reserve – the gateway to Namibia's Sand Sea with its towering dunes and clear starry skies. Desert-adapted wildlife in the area is fascinating and is another dimension of this truly spectacular place.
Accommodation consists of 11 climate-controlled, thatched "kulalas" (the word means 'to sleep') which merge impeccably into the desert landscape, each with private plunge pool, both indoor and outdoor showers and a rooftop star bed for romantic star gazing. An elegant entertainment area includes a library, wine cellar, craft boutique, lounge and dining areas. Little Kulala’s interiors make use of neutral colours, gorgeous textures and natural light and takes its inspiration from its surroundings, notably from the magnificent Dead Vlei.
Activities at Little Kulala include exploring the spectacular towering dunes of Sossusvlei as well as other fascinating geographical formations of the region. Guided drives and walks are also offered on the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve.
World-famous Sossusvlei is the name of an enormous clay pan, flanked by the famous sand dunes that flush red in the early morning sun – as well as the name of the area in general. Close to the Sossusvlei pan is Dead Vlei, another pan where water once flowed, but now all that remains are the skeletons of trees reach up out of the cracked earth.
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 Wilderness Reserve offers visitors exclusive wildlife-viewing opportunities which include the likes of oryx, bat-eared fox, brown hyaena and birdlife. Drinks stops in scenic parts of the reserve are 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 a fascinating dry riverbed.
Eco-sensitive quad-biking through the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve will allow you to take in those incredible views and to catch a glimpse of the denizens of the desert.
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 goes down.
After dark, another realm of the Namib awakes. Walks reveal some of these captivating critters such as dancing white lady spiders and scorpions which fluoresce under UV lights.
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 Namib is known for its clear night skies, and with no light pollution it is the ideal spot from which to learn about the incredible formations of the stars and planets. Our guides are also known to dabble in astronomy and will point out the wonders of the southern skies to you, while our spotting scope allows a closer look.
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 such as ostrich, springbok and gemsbok eke out an existence and are sparsely distributed around Little Kulala. Larger carnivores, namely spotted and brown hyaena and even cheetah are occasionally present, while smaller creatures such as bat-eared fox and aardwolf can be seen at night in the cool desert air. The dune lark has its entire global distribution limited to the area, so dependent is it on the area's characteristic sands. A wide range of insects, reptiles and rodents make their home in this arid land; the call of the barking gecko at twilight is the quintessential sound of the desert.
