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Hoodia Desert Lodge
We invite you to experience the beauty and tranquility of Hoodia Desert Lodge, surrounded by majestic mountains on the banks of the Tsauchab River. Only a 20 minute drive will bring you to the Sesriem Gate, entrance of the world-famous red sand dunes of Sossusvlei.
You will meet enthusiastic people, keen to share your adventures; the friendliness and personal attention of our staff will make your stay memorable. We love to share our knowledge about the region with its secrets and our guided tours are an ideal entrance to the magical world of the desert.
Why we like it here
Intimate owner-run lodge.
Sossusvlei Excursion with exclusive “Out of Africa” Dune Picnic Lunch.
Things to be aware of
Hoodia Desert Lodge only accepts children over the age of 12.
Where we are situated
Pairs well with
Wolwedans Boulders Camp
Of the entire Wolwedans Collection, Boulders Safari Camp is the most remote and “classic”. Found nestled into the grandeur of massive granite rocks, it is situated 45 km south of Wolwedans in Namibia and as far off the beaten track as it can get. The camp makes an ideal location from where guests can explore the deep south of NamibRand Nature Reserve with its vast stretches of pristine nature, as well as encountering small and large desert dwellers, intriguing flora and fascinating geology. As with the rest of Wolwedans, Boulders exudes old world charm and none of the creature comforts are missing: crisp white sheets, warm down duvets for those chilly desert nights and solar-heated hot showers after a long drive in the great beyond. The camp sleeps a maximum of ten guests in five spacious canvas tents, each with an en-suite bathroom which has its own shower.
The main area consists of a dining and lounge tent, a breakfast deck, library, pool and an open fireplace. Enjoy sundowners from the top of a nearby mountainous rock plateau with epic impressions of the vast beauty of the surroundings. When it comes to dinners, they are a lavish, but unpretentious affair. They always exude a sense of occasion with elegant table settings, candlelight and exuberant menu announcements in the local Nama language. Meals are lovingly prepared with homegrown organic fresh produce and paired with excellent local and South African wines.
Why we like it here
Try the “Solitude” or silent meditative experience to best appreciate these vast open spaces.
The Bushman walks in the NamibRand Nature Reserve give great insights into the ancient hunting grounds of the Bushmen.
More than 100 bird species call the NamibRand Reserve their home, making the area a birdwatchers’ paradise.
Wolwedans’ hallmarks include warmth and personalised service, as well as a commitment to care for guest and nature alike.
Things to be aware of
There is a minimum 3 night stay at Boulders Safari Camp, with arrivals only on Mondays and Thursdays.
Wolwedans is not a Sossusvlei destination, so no excursions are offered there from any of the Wolwedans lodges.
Children are welcome at the Boulders Camp only if booked exclusively.
Although guests at Wolwedans enjoy a complimentary introductory horse-riding experience, horse-riding is not available at Boulders Safari Camp.
Where we are situated
Pairs well with
Desert Whisper
Desert Whisper, located 60 km north of Sesriem in Namibia’s Sossusvlei area, is a unique and intimate desert hideaway for two. This contemporary lodge, based in the Namib Desert, was inspired by nature – evident in its use of colours, materials and shapes. It can only be booked for two people as there is only one villa which consists of a spacious single storey suite. It includes an open plan fully-equipped kitchen, dining and lounge area, an en-suite bathroom with balcony, an outdoor area fully equipped with barbecue facilities and a plunge pool.
Upon arrival, guests check in at a private reception and meet their dedicated host who will receive them and ensure their stay is to their liking, as well as discussing their needs. In general, all activities are exclusive within the Gondwana Namib Park. There is an equipped kitchen, a fully stocked bar, as well as barbecue facilities in a terraced outdoor space. Meals are prepared in advance according to guests’ preference. There is no chef based at Desert Whisper, but a private chef can be arranged upon request to prepare and serve dinner. In order to ensure complete exclusivity and intimacy, service staff leave the guests to themselves as much as possible. The host is available at all times via radio contact. Embrace the solitude and magnificence of the Namib Desert at Desert Whisper, your exclusive desert hideaway in the midst of the Namib sands.
Why we like it here
It’s a luxuriously special desert retreat for two.
Enjoy spectacular desert vistas from your villa.
The Desert Whisper is equipped with air conditioning.
Enjoy a morning dune drive and discover fossilised dunes, the red dunes above the plateau and the many other wonders of the Namib Desert.
Stretch your legs and get a closer look at the Namib at leisure on a 3 km, 5 km or 7 km walking trail.
Opt for a short and thrilling guided Scorpion Night Walk and see scorpions glowing in the dark under UV light.
Things to be aware of
The lodge is in relatively close proximity to the rest of the Gondwana Collection (Namib Desert Lodge, Desert Grace and Dune Star) and should guests wish to use the e-bikes or dine at the restaurant, they will need to go there.
A guided half-day excursion can be arranged to Sossusvlei, but this is shared with guests from the other lodges.
Desert Whisper is not suitable for children 12 years and younger.
Children from 13 years old are welcome as long as it does not exceed 2 children.
Where we are situated
Pairs well with
Shipwreck Lodge
Shipwreck Lodge is located in the famous Skeleton Coast Concession in Namibia’s Skeleton Coast National Park. Over the years, numerous ships have stranded along the Skeleton Coast thanks to its thick fog, rough sea, unpredictable currents and stormy winds. The eco-friendly luxury lodge fits in beautifully with its theme and resembles the shipwrecks that line the beach – but with all the comforts you can wish for.
There are 10 shipwreck-shaped chalets (8 twin / double and 2 family) nestled between the dunes, with views across the sand to the Atlantic Ocean. Each has an en-suite bathroom with indoor showers, as well as its own deck to enjoy the peaceful landscape. All cabins run completely off solar-power – barring the wood-burning fireplaces that are used to keep the night / morning chill out of the air.
At the centre of the camp is the equally innovatively-designed lounge and restaurant with a wraparound deck offering uninterrupted views of your starkly beautiful surroundings. A range of activities are available including game drives in search of desert dwelling fauna, flora and wildlife, quad-biking along the dunes and sand boarding.
Why we like it here
Keep cool with the help of the Atlantic Ocean’s cold Benguela current which provides a refreshing breeze.
Each room has a wood-burning fireplace.
Complimentary laundry service.
Go fishing on the Namibian Coast, renowned as a fisher’s paradise, and whatever you catch that day can be prepared for your dinner.
Things to be aware of
Shipwreck Lodge welcomes children of 6 years and older.
Families travelling with children under 12 years of age will need a private vehicle when going on game drives.
Wi-Fi available in the main area.
Where we are situated
Pairs well with
Sonop
Nestled at the southern extremity of Namibia’s Namib Desert, in the Karas region, lies the newly opened Sonop. This luxurious tented camp was constructed on top of boulders and designed to recreate a refined British colonial experience dating back to the early 20th century. Here you will taste complete isolation while enjoying the ultimate in comfort in this out-of-the-ordinary lodge. The day begins with a daily scenic sunrise drive and ends with an opulent gastronomic experience, where silverware and candelabras set the mood, enhanced by flawless black-tie and white glove service, and attention to detail – just like throughout the facilities at the camp. The lodge is richly furnished with antiques made of fine materials, colourful carpets and precious wood – a sophistication that contrasts starkly with the simplicity of the endless awe-inspiring surroundings.
Sonop consists of ten spacious tents, of which 8 are one-bedroom tents (sleeping 2 adults) and 2 are two-bedroom tents (4 adults and 2 children). The 2-bedroom tents, which are particularly suitable for families, consist of two wide double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a shared living room. All tents offer several roll-up canvas openings with panoramic views and a large bedroom(s). The separate bathroom comes with a double washbasin, a large copper bathtub, which is combined with a rain shower. The bedroom features a four-poster bed with a king-size mattress, a distinct living area with comfortable armchairs, a desk and a telescope to view the distant surroundings. For the ultimate comfort, Sonop also offers a spa with 2 double treatment rooms, a fitness centre, a heated outdoor infinity pool, a pool bar, a cocktail and cigar lounge, stables and a private airstrip.
Why we like it here
At Sonop everything is orientated towards the desert’s richness: All views are awe-inspiring and a large list of adventures allows guests to admire the desert’s genuine beauty at leisure.
Breathtaking outdoor excursions are offered at Sonop within the 5 600 ha of the private reserve including exploring the desert by foot, horse-riding and electric mountain bikes.
Enjoy sundowners at the cocktail and cigar lounge, which evokes the splendour of colonial times.
Things to be aware of
The minimum age for children is 6 years.
Sonop has plenty of stairs – 461 to be exact – and around 1 km of pathways, making it challenging for guests with limited mobility.
Guests get to enjoy two scenic drives a day, but these are not private.
Where we are situated
Pairs well with
Little Kulala
Little Kulala is a welcome oasis situated on the dry Auab riverbed in the Kulala Wilderness Reserve, in the splendour and solitude of the Namib Desert, Namibia. The design of Little Kulala was inspired by Dead Vlei, a clay pan characterised by dark, dead camel thorn trees more than 900 years old, contrasted against the white pan floor. It consists of 11 climate-controlled, thatched “kulalas”, each with a private plunge pool, and merges seamlessly into the timeless desert setting. Of the 11 units, 10 are twin-bedded units each with two three-quarter beds and the one family unit with two three-quarter beds in each bedroom. Mattress converters are available that transform twin beds into king-size beds.
Each room comprises en-suite facilities and an outdoor shower, separate toilet, tea and coffee making facilities, mini-bar, mosquito net, writing desk and chair, indoor lounge area, luggage rack, electronic safe, hairdryer and an air-conditioner which ensures a comfortable temperature. Each villa has the addition of a rooftop Star Bed for romantic stargazing. The main lodge comprises a reception, lounge, bar, dining room, library, curio cupboard, wine cellar and deck on a raised wooden deck with a thatched roof. There is a central, shaded swimming pool in the main area and an open deck overlooking a floodlit waterhole. There are a range of activities available to guests to best appreciate the area: Desert nature drives, walks, eco-sensitive quad-biking, excursions to Sossusvlei and a balloon safari – an awe-inspiring experience soaring silently above the desert.
Why we like it here
The private rooftop area allows for a unique opportunity to sleep-out under the magnificent Namibian night sky. It has mosquito nets.
The Olympus Photo Hub experience allows guests to make use of professional photographic equipment while at Little Kulala. This means more exciting photo memories to take back from your vacation.
Complimentary Wi-Fi access.
Once farmland used for subsistence goat farming, the region had very little indigenous wildlife. In 1996, Wilderness Safaris stepped in to rehabilitate the area and today the land and its wildlife have returned to their former glory.
Of the desert-adapted wildlife on the Kulala Wilderness Reserve, look out for ostrich, springbok, gemsbok, spotted hyena and the occasional brown hyena. Smaller creatures such as bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, porcupine, Cape fox and aardwolf can also be seen.
Guided scorpion walks are available at night, weather permitting.
Things to be aware of
Guests who wish to self-drive into the National Park are required to use the public Sessriem entrance, as the Kulala Gate on the property is for Wilderness Safaris and camp vehicles only.
Ballooning is closed on 25 December and 1 January, as well as from 15 January to 15 February.
In the cooler weather conditions, hot water bottles and lined ponchos are provided on nature drives.
No children under 16 years of age are allowed on the guided quad bike excursion.
Purified drinking water (through reverse osmosis) is supplied.
Laundry services may be limited as a result of water shortages.
The Namib Desert is the world’s oldest desert, and although it stretches along the entire length of Namibia’s coastline into southern Angola and even the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, the Namib commonly refers to the vast sea of sand extending from Luderitz to Swakopmund. This vast expanse of breathtakingly beautiful sandy desert features remarkably varied scenery including, the massive red dunes of the world-renowned Sossusvlei, the moonscapes of the Namib-Naukluft Park, the stark beauty of the Atlantic Coast and a diversity of fauna and flora. This windswept, arid, ancient landscape is teeming with desert-adapted wildlife such as endemic chameleons, brown hyenas, gemsbok, jackals and seals along the coastline and a variety of plant life including the famous welwitschia plant, a unique living fossil. Other highlights of the Namib include Fish River Canyon, Kolmanskop ghost town, Luderitz, Cape Cross seal colony and the Skeleton Coast.
Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red dunes of the Namib. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red dunes to make this one of the most scenic natural wonders of Africa and a photographer’s heaven. This awe-inspiring destination is possibly Namibia’s premier attraction. Its unique dunes rise to almost 400 metres and are some of the highest in the world. These iconic dunes come alive in the morning and evening light and draw photography enthusiasts from around the globe. Sossusvlei is home to a variety of desert wildlife including oryx, springbok, ostrich and a variety of reptiles. Visitors can climb ‘Big Daddy’ which is one of Sossusvlei’s tallest dunes and explore Deadvlei which is a white, salt claypan dotted with ancient trees. Enjoy the views from above in a scenic once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon flight, followed by a champagne breakfast amidst the majestic dunes.