Wilderness Little Kulala
Wilderness Little Kulala Is An Exclusive Lodge On The Kulala Concession, Facing The Towering Red Dunes Of The Namib Desert.
Wilderness Little Kulala is the more intimate, sophisticated sister camp to the larger Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge. Also located in the Kulala Concession and Wilderness Reserve, the luxurious lodge nestles into a dry river bed and faces out across the plains towards the high dunes of the Namib Desert. The accommodation is extremely comfortable and the lodge has a very exclusive feel, offering a tranquil environment where you can relax as well as explore. Access to the spectacular scenery and high dunes around Sossusvlei is made easier with the use of a private access gate into the National Park.
Rooms
Accommodation for up to 24 guests is in 11 contemporary thatched and glass suites, one of which is a family suite. Each suite is built onto an extensive wooden deck with a small plunge pool and an area for outdoor siestas during the day, or a sleep out at night. Each unit also has a rooftop terrace which can be used for private dining under the stars and star-gazing. Inside, each climate-controlled suite includes a sitting area, a writing desk and chair, luggage rack, mosquito net, electronic safe, a yoga mat and weights, tea and coffee making facilities and mini-bar. En suite facilities include both indoor and outdoor showers, double vanity and separate toilet. The family suite has a second smaller bedroom with bathroom connected via the deck (not internally connected).
Central Areas
The main area comprises a lounge/dining and bar area, leading out on to an open deck overlooking a waterhole. There is a shop, a library and an upstairs lounge area with an area for downloading photos. There is also a main swimming pool with deck and sun loungers, and a spa.
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 (15 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. There are a number of self-guided walking and running trails that can be explored (a safety briefing and hand-held radios will be provided in camp). Quad-biking and 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
Although you can visit Namibia year-round, the best time to travel is late April to early November.
Children from the age of six years are welcome at the lodge. However, as the bedrooms of the family unit 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, Wilderness Little Kulala 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.
