Little Kulala Lodge, Namib Desert, Namibia - Luxury Hotel

Summary

- Bordering the Namib-Naukluft National Park and accessible through an exclusive-use gate, the two Kulala Wilderness Reserve camps are the closest to the iconic red dunes of Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei
- Set on 27-000 hectares (66 700-acres) of pristine private land bordering Sossusvlei, the Kulala Wilderness Reserve offers endless spectacular desert scenery and extraordinary, and unexpected, desert wildlife – the "living desert"
- Thrilling hot air ballooning (weather permitting, and at extra cost) over the vast Namib Sand Sea and mystical fairy circles are launched from this private reserve

A welcome oasis situated on the dry Auab riverbed in the Kulala Wilderness Reserve, Little Kulala celebrates the splendour and solitude of the Namib Desert. Excursions to Sossusvlei (via a gate exclusive to Wilderness Safaris vehicles), nature drives, guided nature trails, eco-sensitive guided quad bike excursions and guided electric fat-wheeled bike excursions, explore this fascinating landscape. A hot air balloon safari (at extra cost) offers a wondrous experience soaring above the desert.

Wildlife: desert-adapted wildlife to be seen on the Kulala Wilderness Reserve includes ostrich, springbok, gemsbok, spotted hyaena, and the occasional brown hyaena. In addition, smaller creatures such as bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, porcupine, Cape fox, and aardwolf may 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 Little Kulala. At dusk the call of barking geckoes can be heard, with guided nature walks revealing other creatures such as the buck-spoor spider with its multi-entrance burrow or the ambush specialist antlion, to name a few.

Accommodation: inspired by Dead Vlei, the design of the eleven luxury desert suites (ten twins and one family unit), offers improved airflow to the brick and glass accommodation set under thatch. Each suite features a spacious deck, sala and private plunge pool, merging seamlessly into the timeless desert setting. A private rooftop area offers romantic stargazing, and sleep-outs on the bottom deck of each accommodation complete the experience. Interiors illustrate an extension of the desert's natural beauty, replicated in colour choice, palette, decor and art.

Purpose: once farmland used for subsistence goat farming, the Kulala Wilderness Reserve had very little indigenous wildlife. In 1996 Wilderness stepped in to rehabilitate the area and today the land and its wildlife have returned to their former glorious natural state.

Facilities

Experiences - activities

Nature Drives
The 37 000-hectare (91 429-acre) private Kulala Wilderness Reserve offers visitors exclusive wildlife-viewing opportunities which include the likes of gemsbok (oryx), bat-eared fox, brown hyaena and birdlife. Sundowner stops in scenic parts of the reserve are a highlight.

Visit Sossusvlei & Dead Vlei
World-famous Sossusvlei is the name of an enormous clay pan, flanked by a field of famous towering sand dunes that flush red in the early morning sun. Close to the Sossusvlei pan is Dead Vlei, another pan where water once flowed. However, all that remains now are the skeletons of camelthorn trees that reach up out of the cracked earth.

Visit Sesriem Canyon
This fascinating geographical formation is well worth a visit. The result of millions of years where water carved its way across the topography. At three kilometres long, the views from the top of Sesriem Canyon are breathtaking while walks through the canyon gorge reveal distinct geographical layers which were laid down over aeons.

Scenic Sundowner Excursion
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 sunset.

Guided Nature Trails
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 provides a revealing stroll along a productive dry riverbed.

Guided Scorpion Night Walks
After dark, another realm of the Namib awakes. Walks reveal some of these captivating critters such as dancing white lady spiders and numerous scorpion species which fluoresce under UV light.

Sleep-Out Experience
Delight in a sleep-out experience under the starry starry skies of the Namib and be lulled to sleep by the sounds of Africa on the bottom deck of your accommodation.

Stargazing
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 guide you through the constellations. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) certifies as a Dark Sky Reserve "a public or private land, possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural, heritage and public enjoyment." NamibRand was accorded Gold Tier International Dark Sky Reserve status in 2012, after it expanded its conservation role to include preserving the star-filled night-time skies that shine above its dunes and mountains. Lauded as one of the darkest locations ever designated by the IDA , the reserve is described as one of the nighttime environments that have little to no impact from light pollution and artificial light.

Hot Air Balloon Excursion *
The hot air balloon safari on the Kulala Wilderness Reserve offers a truly unique bird's-eve view experience of the remote wilderness below. Soar above the magnificent sand dunes and roaring desert, with a champagne breakfast being served upon landing. * Optional activity at extra cost, and weather permitting. Unavailable for the periods 15 January to
15 February (inclusive), and 25 December and 01 January.

Guided Quad Bike Excursions
Explore further into the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, while enjoying the thrill of riding a quad bike. A guide leads these eco-sensitive excursions, allowing you to take in the incredible views and to catch a glimpse of the denizens of the desert, including the likes of oryx, springbok and bat-eared fox, as well as fascinating avian desert specials such as the endemic dune lark.

Guided Electric Fat-Wheeled Bike Excursions
Explore the natural wonders of Namibia and take in the majestic landscapes riding electric powered fat-wheeled bikes. An exciting way to explore the stunning open plains with your guide.

Activities on the Reserve
Access to various activities and their routes in and around Little Kulala taking in the scenic beauty of the stunning panoramic landscape of Kulala Wilderness Reserve – includes both Guided or Self-Guided trails for hiking, running and cycling. Spectacularly scenic viewpoints offer a chance to stop and take it all in.

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Little Kulala Lodge

| Namibia | Namib Desert |

Summary

Location

Facilities

Experiences - activities

Videos

Menu

Search

Little Kulala Lodge

| Namibia | Namib Desert |

Map

Summary

Location

Facilities

Experiences - activities

Videos