Kulala Desert Lodge

The wild, otherworldly landscapes of rural Namibia are all around you here. Right on your doorstep is the famous Sossusvlei, a desolately beautiful salt and clay pan ringed by red sand dunes. The area is famous for its barren landscapes, petrified trees, and the striking contrast of bone white and burnt orange in the sand and the earth.

Guestrooms at Kulala Desert Lodge – known as kulalas from the local word for ‘sleep’ – combine the comfort of a hotel room with a rugged aesthetic and feeling of immersion in the wilderness. The lovely ceilings are woven from wood and buttressed with robust beams, while the floors are laid in lovely polished wood. Big, comfy beds are carved from local wood, while your room also has a plush sofa; the stone-tiled en-suite bathrooms feature showers and hot water. Windows look out over the desert, while you can really complete the sense of immersion in the natural world by camping out on the flat roof of your kulala.

Mealtimes at Kulala Desert Lodge are a sociable affair, enjoyed in a relaxed restaurant looking out over the wilderness. Get energised for a day’s adventures out in the bush with a hearty breakfast spread – fresh fruit, yoghurt and cereal are on offer alongside more substantial pastries and cooked meat and egg dishes.

Lunches can either be enjoyed as a multi-course offering back at the lodge, or in the form of a packed picnic which you take out with you on your excursions.

Dinner is a three-course affair, with an ever-changing selection of international dishes accompanied by sundowners overlooking the desert – the perfect way to see out the evening.

While you won’t find a fancy spa or gym at this wilderness lodge, there is plenty of space in which to put your feet up, with a pool where you can take a refreshing dip in those hot afternoons and several shaded seating areas.

The lodge also boasts something no city hotel can offer: its very own waterhole, where you can watch oryx, springbok and other creatures gather to drink and cool off.

Top of the agenda for any stay at Kulala Desert Lodge is exploration of the wilds of Sossusvlei, an eerily beautiful area of the Namib Desert accessed from the lodge through a private entrance. Guided tours will take you through the moon-like landscapes and sand dunes of Sossusvlei, while neighbouring Deadvlei is an absolute must-visit for photographers, with its petrified trees adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Game drives are also on offer in the desert, helping you spot oryx, hyenas, bat-eared foxes and more. Quad biking is another way to get around, while you can gain a spectacular new perspective on the desert by soaring above the dunes in a hot air balloon.