Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge
Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge Is Located In The Private Kulala Concession Facing The Towering Red Dunes Of The Namib Desert.
Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge is a long-established property offering easy access to the incredible landscape of the Namib Desert, and in particular the spectacular scenery and high dunes around Sossusvlei. The lodge itself is medium sized and has a warm, bubbly atmosphere, with views directly across the Tsauchab River course and a wide rocky plain to the dunes beyond. Accommodation is comfortable but not luxurious, and being a larger property the atmosphere is busy rather than quiet and exclusive. A private access gate into Namib Naukluft National Park, to access Sossusvlei, is a bonus avoiding the need to drive around via the main gate.
Rooms
Accommodation is provided for up to 50 guests in canvas and thatched ‘kulala’ accommodation units, each built on to a raised platform and overlooking an old river course towards the Namib sand dunes. There are 21 tents including two family units (two tents linked together by a shared deck platform). Each tented room has a ceiling or standard fan, private verandah to the front and en suite facilities to the rear (indoor shower, double vanity and flush toilet) enclosed within a clay-and-brick-built bathroom. Each tent has a flat rooftop area above the bathroom where it’s possible to sleep out under the stars.
Central Areas
Breakfast and lunch are taken in the main building which also houses the bar and lounge. Evening meals are taken in either the main building or the outside deck under the stars. There is also a swimming pool with shaded deck and sun loungers.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming – Yes
Habitat & Wildlife
The Kulala Concession and Wilderness Reserve covers an area of some 21000 hectares and borders the famous Namib Naukluft National Park into which it has a private entrance. Despite the limited vegetation and low rainfall of the region, a surprising amount of wildlife is found – desert-adapted wildlife such as springbok and gemsbok (oryx) and ostrich are the larger animals that live here, whilst the bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal and rarer aardwolf can be seen on night drives. Kulala is also home to a variety of birds including the endemic Dune lark. Other sought after species include Gray’s lark, sociable weaver and pririt batis. At night the screeching calls of barn owl pierce the quiet.
Sossusvlei is a huge dried up clay pan formed at the end of the Tsauchab River where huge dunes (up to 1,000 ft) stopped its progress toward the sea. Often it is possible to see springbok and gemsbok (oryx) as they wander through the surrounding area searching for food. Nearby are Hidden Vlei and Dead Vlei. If you’re feeling fit, climb the dunes for a spectacular view of the surrounding area.
The Sesriem Canyon is one of the most amazing features of this desert. Here, the Tsauchab River has carved a gorge (up to 100 ft deep) into the gravel’s deposited around 16 million years ago. The canyon dates back to about 3 million years ago, when continental uplift caused the incision of most of the westward flowing rivers in Namibia. The canyon is about a kilometre long and become shallower as it makes its way towards Sossusvlei.
Activities
The concession has a private entrance into the Namib Naukluft National park (10 minutes from the lodge) to visit the towering dunes around Sossusvlei. Nature drives in specially designed closed vehicles are also taken on the conservancy (including night drives) or to Sesriem Canyon, and walks are hosted daily by experienced guides. Guided electric powered fat bike cycling is also offered (subject to availability). Scenic hot air balloon flights and helicopter scenic flights can also be arranged.
Seasons
Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge is open all year. The best times to visit are late April to early November.
Children of all ages are welcome at the lodge. However, as the bedrooms of the family units do not link internally, it is likely to be more suitable for families with slightly older children and for whom this accommodation set up feels comfortable. For those travelling with older children and teenagers, Kulala Desert Lodge makes an excellent choice of destination with plenty of activities and staff and guides who are very used to dealing with families.
Wilderness Safaris has established two non-profit organisations to achieve their mission of protecting and expanding Africa’s wilderness through conservation and community empowerment.
The Wilderness Wildlife Trust is involved in research and conservation, anti-poaching and community empowerment and education initiatives. The Trust has many projects throughout Namibia. The Kulala Wilderness Reserve was once farmland used for subsistence goat farming, and 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 natural state, while local communities have been supported to adopt more sustainable livelihoods and employment has been created through tourism.
Children in the Wilderness (CITW) is dedicated to youth empowerment and education, empowering the future leaders of Africa to become the protectors and custodians of their natural heritage. Areas of focus are eco-training for mentors, eco-clubs in schools, an annual camp for children hosted in one of the Wilderness camps, the Youth Environmental Stewardship programme which focuses on children identified in eco-clubs as having potential to progress further in environmental education, and school and tertiary scholarships. Children in the Wilderness Namibia works with 13 schools across Namibia, with 400 children taking part in our Eco-Clubs. A number of children are sponsored through our Scholarship Programme.
