6 of the best desert lodges in Namibia

Namibia continues to be comparatively unknown exterior of the core of Africa fans who journey to the continent regularly, nevertheless this huge and exquisite land affords dramatic surroundings, conventional cultures, and world-class wildlife viewing that could be a match for something present in higher identified locations.

A specific spotlight for guests are the spectacular desert lodges that may be discovered all through the nation from the Southern Namib Desert and the well-known crimson dunes of the Sossusvlei space, to the Kalahari and the far northern areas of the Skeleton Coast.

In the event you’re in search of another African journey throughout a distant and exquisite wilderness, Namibia is an unbeatable alternative.  These are 6 of the easiest desert lodges on this spectacular nation.

Little Kulala

Little Kulala is an opulent desert retreat located within the non-public 37,000 hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve – the gateway to Namibia’s Dune Sea with its towering dunes and clear starry skies. The camp takes its design inspiration from its environment, notably from the magnificent Useless Vlei in the course of Sossusvlei. The general temper and really feel is cool, serene, natural and sheltering.

Little Kulala options a sublime essential visitor space which features a library, wine cellar, craft boutique, lounge and eating areas. The interiors have been designed to offer an all-natural and distinctive expertise on this most lovely surroundings. The in depth use of impartial colors, attractive textures and pure mild reproduce the soothing pastel tones of the desert. There’s additionally a central shaded swimming pool. A water gap in entrance of the primary lodge constructing supplies the chance to see gemsbok (oryx), springbok, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, ostrich and jackals.

Actions at Little Kulala embody morning guided drives to the spectacular towering dunes of Sossusvlei, via a personal gate into the reserve. Guided drives and walks are additionally supplied on the non-public Kulala Wilderness Reserve with unbelievable views, desert-adapted wildlife and crops, and the sundown/sundowner excusion is all the time extremely popular! Quad-biking will also be organized as can a sizzling air balloon journey.

Every of the gest suites has beautiful fittings and fixtures, and a deck with a personal plunge pool that gives spectacular desert views.  A staircase resulting in the flat rooftop above the toilet supplies the perfect setting for star-gazing, and mattresses and duvets might be made up right into a ‘skybed’ for an unforgettable night time of sleeping out below the celebrities.

Sossusvlei Lodge

Located proper on the entrance gate to the well-known Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon within the Namib Nauklauft Park, that is the proper location from which to go to and discover the epic sand dunes sculpted by the wind.

Expertise the desert magnificence from a chicken’s eye view in a sizzling air balloon or by plane. Take a guided drive via scenic pure magnificence in a customized constructed and comfy all-terrain car or with a quad bike, or in fact, you’ll be able to drive your self into the Park too.

A dip within the glowing pool or an ice chilly beer below the shady bushes within the Acacia beer backyard makes for the most effective leisure after an eventful day. The al fresco terrace affords magnificent views of the floodlit waterhole the place you’ll be able to watch the passing parade of oryx, springbok, jackal, floor squirrel and hyena, while having fun with beautiful meals and wine.

&Past Sossusvlei Personal Desert Reserve

Nestled deep within the coronary heart of Namibia’s historic Namib Desert, the newly re-opened &Past Sossusvlei Personal Desert Reserveoffers huge areas, limitless horizons and extraordinary readability of sunshine that makes this space considered one of Africa’s most compelling landscapes. A spectacular mix of glass, rock and metal pavilions with a daring geometric construction at its centre, the lodge extends over huge dunes and gravel planes, in excellent concord with its elemental surrounds.

Overlooking the pristine pure terrain, the 10 suites supply the sophistication of simplicity, and the two-bedroomed Star Dune Suite is right for households or teams of buddies. The visitor space options flooring to ceiling, frameless glass panels that fold away to disclose unobstructed desert vistas.

Visitors can discover the desert by quadbikes or open four×four automobiles, and excursions to the well-known Sossusvlei sand dunes, the best on the earth, and Sesriem Canyon will add to this unforgettable desert expertise.

Wolwedans Dune Camp

Wolwedans nestles into the dunes and is ready in opposition to a backdrop of extraordinary pure magnificence. Situated within the coronary heart of NamibRand Nature Reserve, Dunes Lodge is the proper base from which to discover huge stretches of awe-inspiring and undisturbed nature, and that is rightly thought-about one of the iconic desert lodges in Namibia.

Wolwedans shouldn’t be a one-night-stop which might be ticked off en-route to the subsequent vacationer hot-spot. It’s a place to reach, to be, to be taught and unwind, while being sorted by a pleasant and concerned native group. Wolwedans supplies an trustworthy, relaxed and down-to-earth ambiance, freed from ‘wannabe’ fanciness and pretence.

Wolwedans supplies the proper base from which to discover huge stretches of undisturbed nature. The non-public and informative scenic drives in open Landrovers reveal the wonders of the wilderness.

Scenic flights are one other fashionable exercise at Wolwedans. Commencing in the course of the late afternoon, these flights provide you with a birds-eye view of the Diamond Coast and Sossusvlei and is a very exhilarating and once-in-a-lifetime expertise.

Mowani Mountain Camp

Between the Ugab and Huab Rivers in Southern Damaraland lies an enormous and unspoilt wilderness. This space boasts magnificent desert surroundings, fascinating geological formations, archaeological websites and a singular number of desert fauna and flora. That is the place you will see that the Mowani Mountain Camp, nestled amongst the boulders of this lovely space on a excessive spot commanding distant views over the panorama.

Adventures and actions accessible at Mowani embody journeys in a sizzling air balloon, climbing via the magnificent surroundings, and early morning recreation drives to trace the uncommon Desert Elephant with an skilled information in an open Land Rover.

Visitors also can go to the prolific website of Twyfelfontein. This excellent archaeological website affords greater than 2,500 engravings in addition to numerous work, and might be the best instance of rock engraving in southern Africa.

The luxurious tented en-suite lodging, every with its personal non-public deck overlooking the desert panorama, is constructed unobtrusively, in order to make sure minimal influence on the pure surroundings.  The out of doors showers and baths have a few of the most spectacular views within the nation….

Hoanib Valley Camp

In a rustic jam-packed with huge, spectacularly lovely landscapes, Kaokoland could be essentially the most unbelievable of all of them. Deep in north-western Namibia, the realm is a melee of towering mountains, sand dunes, and large expanses of desert, scattered with distinctive wildlife and nomadic Himba settlements. It’s additionally considered one of Namibia’s most distant and wild environments, and one which not many will get the prospect to find in a lifetime…and that’s precisely why Hoanib Valley Camp was constructed.

A three way partnership between the native communities and the Giraffe Conservation Basis, the world’s solely Africa-wide giraffe conservation organisation, Hoanib Valley Camp  is a sublime, intimate affair that immerses you into the wilds of the desert.

Giraffe Conservation Basis (GCF) are the longest working giraffe conservation charity in Africa and are the leaders in innovative giraffe analysis. In Hoanib, their analysis not solely focusses on the desert-adapted giraffe within the space, but additionally helps to observe elephant and common recreation. Only a few individuals realise the giraffe are endangered and they’re typically over-shadowed by the bigger species corresponding to rhino and elephant. By means of their genetic work, the GCF have found four distinct species of giraffe throughout Africa, as a substitute of what was formally regarded as sub-species – essential info regarding the way forward for giraffe populations throughout the continent. When in camp there are alternatives to satisfy the researchers and be taught concerning the vital work occurring within the space.

In addition to recreation drives, visitors also can expertise cultural interactions with the native Herero and Himba individuals.

Paul Campbell is a Co-founder and Managing Director at Journey Butlers. Journey Butlers are specialists in tailored safari and seashore holidays to Africa and the Indian Ocean.

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