A couple of nights near the dunes.
On the edge of the Namib Desert.
There are 25 mud, canvas and thatch chalets, three of which are set up for families. They’re designed with practicality at the forefront – raised slightly off the ground to keep the worst of the desert heat out, and with verandahs to make the most of the gorgeous scenery around. For the very hottest of nights, a steep ladder leads up to the roof, where there’s a bedroll for romantic evenings out under the stars.
The scenery is the real show-stealer here, while food and facilities take a bit more of a back seat. One thing that really is worth mentioning though is waterhole in front of the main area of the lodge, which tempts in the animals that manage to survive in this barren area – look out for gemsbok (pronounced locally with a very guttural clearing of the throat), ostriches, jackal and springboks. There’s also a small swimming pool (for hot desert days) and a fireplace (for chilly desert nights!)
Guests staying at Kulala Desert Lodge can either take part in the activities arranged by the lodge, or if you have your own vehicle, you can explore under your own steam. If you choose to take a guide from the lodge, there are trips into the endless rolling sand dunes, and if you’re feeling energetic, a walk up “Big Daddy,” one of the largest of them all, will give you a feel for the enormity of the sand-sea. The more sedate alternative is an early morning hot air balloon flight over the dunes, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush. There are also nature walks, quad-biking, and sundowner drives in on the lodge’s private conservancy.
Set your alarm for before dawn, wrap up warm, and head to the dunes in time to see the sunrise.