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.