Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge

The Lodge

Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge

Set at the foot of the majestic Sossusvlei dunes inside the 37,000-hectare private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, this lodge has its own private gate into the Namib-Naukluft National Park — making it the closest base for first-light dune drives to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei.

Twenty-one thatched and canvas tents stand on raised wooden platforms with a rooftop sleep-out area for nights under the desert stars. The wraparound veranda at the main area looks onto a waterhole, the pool offers welcome shade in the heat of the day and the location places guests in the dunes long before any other camp.

Days are spent on private guided dune excursions, e-biking through the reserve, hot-air balloon flights at dawn, scenic drives, sundowner stops at exceptional viewpoints, wine tastings and gentle exploration of the surrounding wilderness — gemsbok, bat-eared fox, brown hyena and rich birdlife share the reserve.