SOSSUSVLEI DESERT LODGE
CRADLED AGAINST ANCIENT MOUNTAINS OVERLOOKING THE STARKLY BEAUTIFUL NAMIB DESERT
Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is situated in the northern most region of the largest private nature reserve in Southern Africa, the NamibRand Nature Reserve. It is truly a magical place to enjoy a break from a hectic schedule and reconnect with oneself and nature. Overlooking awe-inspiring dunes and stony outcrops, this is a world of vast spaces, endless horizons, rugged mountaintops and pure tranquility – one of Africa’s most compelling landscapes.
Nestled deep in the heart of the ancient, but ever-changing Namib Desert, and perched on the edge of a rocky escarpment, this isolated getaway blends into the stark beauty of shifting sands, towering dunes and stony outcrops. Genetic evidence strongly suggests that the San Bushmen are members of the oldest culture on Earth. The area surrounding Sossusvlei Desert Lodge was home to migrant bands of San Bushmen for hundreds of years. Ancient stone tools, fragments of ostrich eggs and traditional rock art depicting animals and hunting scenes have been found in shallow caves nearby.
Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is open all year round.
ACCOMMODATION
In this spectacularly beautiful location, accommodation is in the form of ten spacious glass and stone desert villas designed to capture the splendor and solitude of the dessert. The Villas are spread out along the curve of the escarpment, allowing absolute privacy. Each air-conditioned villa comes with a split level sitting area and fireplace, as ell as skylights above the bed for late night stargazing, an en-suite bathroom with shower, as well as an outdoor shower and private veranda, allowing guests to make the most of the strikingly impressive desert view. Guests can escape the desert heat with a revitalizing midday dip in the pool, fed by water from an underground spring.
Dining
Delicious dinners are served by lantern light on the open dining veranda or in a surprise location in the nearby dunes under the Stars of Namibia. A fine selection of wines from an impressive walk-in wine cellar complements the meals.
CONSERVATION
Sossusvlei Desert Lodge supports the conservation of wildlife and actively contributes to its neighboring communities. In this fragile desert milieu, it is vital to be extra sensitive to the environment in which the lodge has been placed as well as to manage all forms of energy and water consumption. The Lodge seeks to limit its impact through the use of renewable energy, water and waste management, and recycling. Invasive vegetation has been removed and recycled into ”bushblok” logs for lodge fires. These economical bushbloks contain no additives and release only a minimum amount of ash and smoke, whilst keeping guests warm during chilly desert nights. Sossusvlei Desert Lodge provides financial support to Nadeet, a non-profit trust that focuses on raising environmental awareness among young Namibians.
ACTIVITIES
The fascinating wildlife, specially adapted to desert conditions, combined with endless space, absolute tranquility and extraordinary light make this one of Africa’s most compelling regions. Visitors to the NamibRand will find themselves experiencing a wide range of desert habitats.
Nature Drives
Experience the magic of the desert in open 4×4 Safari vehicles with specialist guides on scenic drives with the focus on finding desert-adapted plants and wildlife, enjoying the stark beauty of the desert landscape. Excursions to Sossusvlei with a desert picnic can create incredible memories.
Quad bikes
With expert guides, exploration on quad bikes can be scheduled, among the dunes.
Nature walks
Walk back in time to see old bushmen paintings.
Stargazing
When night falls over Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, discover the wonders of the stars under the guidance of a professional astronomer. With its generally cloudless night sky, particularly in the dry winter months, minimum contamination from artificial light and air pollution offer an excellent view of the southern constellation. Namibia offers ideal conditions for stargazing.
WILDLIFE
The harsh environmental conditions that exist here have led to the evolution of numerous plant and animal species that are specially adapted to survive in the desert. The majestic oryx is the iconic antelope of the Namib Desert. Another animal that has adapted to the harsh conditions is the Hartmann mountain zebra, which digs beneath the earth’s surface for its drinking water. The springbok, which gets its name from its habit of leaping off the ground with all four feet, is also characteristic of the arid Namib Desert. The world’s largest bird, the ostrich, survives superbly in the harsh conditions of the Namib, where it rarely seeks shade or water. The aardwolf, bat-eared and Cape foxes, as well as porcupine, are other adapted animals inhabiting the region.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The lines, forms, light and shadow of the majestic towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei produce potential masterpieces for any keen photographer. It is where the edge of the rust red sand dunes meets the deep blue sky that will provide striking images with interesting lines that can result in abstract compositions. The iconic Dead Vlei is an old pan, with merely the skeletons of trees left from as many as 500 years old. Many consider Dead Vlei to be more starkly beautiful than Sossusvlei.
Sunrise and late afternoons are the best times to photograph the dunes because of the richness of color. However the Namib-Naukluft National Park has strict restrictions of opening hours. A private entrance to the park is being used for Sossusvlei Desert Lodge’s guests, gate opens at sunrise and closes at sunset. The drive from Sossusvlei Desert Lodge to the gate is about 40 – 60 minutes, to get the best photo opportunities it is worth getting up and leaving well in advance of the sunrise.
