SossusvleiSossusvlei is a small clay pan that is part of the much larger Namib-Naukluft National Park, one of Africa’s largest parks. Naukluft offers a range of varying scenery from mountains and hills to flat desert pans but there is nowhere more appealing than the gigantic dunes that surround the Sossusvlei pan. With the highest at over 1000 feet, the dunes tower above the surrounding Namib Desert and are one of Africa’s most iconic sights.
Sossusvlei is located just a short distance from the famous Sesriem canyon. The area is a photographers paradise as the days sun alters the colour of the dunes; sunrise and sunsets are exceptional. The largest sand dunes in the world are here and it is these that the majority of travellers travel to see. Apart from the dunes and the canyon there is little to do here, so two days is sufficient.
However Sossusvlei is actually only a very small part of this massive park. The Naukluft Mountains area is great for trekking and due to the rivers in the area has lkush vegetation making a great change from the Namib desert. Further South lies the NamibRand Nature Reserve, a private reserve that should be viewed as a separate destination altogether to Sossusvlei. The camps here pride themselves in offering a much more exclusive experience than those in the Sossusvlei/Sesriem area, albeit without the towering sand dunes. Sossusvlei: Accommodation choices
Wilderness Safaris run the best lodges around the Sossusvlei/Sesriem area with Little Kulala as their flagship luxury property. The gorgeous Sossusvlei Wilderness Lodge has mind blowing views and is the slightly more affordable office favourite, where as the Kulala Wilderness Camp offers a more rustic approach to accommodation. Kulala Desert Lodge’s canvas and stone chalets are a good affordable option. Desert Hometead is the best of a number of low cost lodges in the area around Sesriem.
The NamibRand reserve is home to the Wolwedans collection of top eco luxury lodges. Wolwedans Dune Camp is the collections rustic tented camp that caters for adventurous clientele, where as Wolwedans Dune Lodge and the newest addition, the phenomenal Boulders Camp are first class luxury properties. Located just away from the Wolwedans collection is &Beyond’s Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge, complete with air con, western mod-cons and a first class observatory!
Recommended lodges in this area:
Sossusvlei
Little Kulala is Wilderness Safaris flagship lodge in Sossusvlei. Located only 45 minutes drive from the Sossusvlei Dunes themselves, Little Kulala has the best location of all the dune camps and is unquestionably the most luxurious of all the camps in Sossusvlei.
Sossusvlei
Kulala Wilderness Camp is a ten-roomed camp situated in the heart of Namibia’s Namib Desert on a 21,000-hectare private reserve near Sossusvlei. The camp is built at the foot of a rock escarpment, facing west with great sunset views in the mountainous eco-system of this area.
Sossusvlei
Kulala Desert Lodge is the most economical option of the Wilderness Safaris properties in the Sossusvlei area. With 14 rooms and great views over the dunes, the lodge is larger than the other options Wilderness have in Sossusvlei but the value on offer is undeniable considering the overall quality of Wilderness safaris operations.
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