Namib Desert Travel Information

The Namib Desert is a desert in Namibia and southwest Angola which forms part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The name "Namib" is of Nama origin. The desert occupies an area of around 80 900 km² (31 200 square miles), stretching about 1000 miles (1,600 km) along the Atlantic Ocean coast of Namibia. Its east-west width varies from 30 to 100 miles (50-160 km).

The Namib Desert also reaches into southwest Angola. It is one of the 500 distinct physiographic provinces of the South African Platform physiographic division. Having endured arid or semi-arid conditions for at least 55 million years, it is considered to be the oldest desert in the world after the Atacama Desert in Chile. The Namib's aridity is caused by the descent of dry air of the Hadley Cell, cooled by the cold Benguela current along the coast. It has less than 10 mm (0.4 inches) of rain annually and is almost completely barren.

Although the desert is largely unpopulated and inaccessible, there are year-round settlements at Sesriem, close to the famous Sossusvlei and a huge group of sand dunes, which at more than 300 meters high are among the tallest sand dunes in the world.

The Namib desert is an important location for the mining of tungsten, salt and diamonds. Access is by light aircraft from Windhoek (the capital of Namibia, about 480 km north-east of the centre of the desert), Swakopmund and Walvis Bay at the north end of the desert, or overland on gravel roads.

Accommodation Facilities:

KULALA DESERT LODGE

Situated on over 21, 000 hectares of private property and bordering the Namib Naukluft Park, Kulala Desert Lodge lies in the heart of the Namib and offers magnificent views of the famous red dunes of Sossusvlei as well as magnificent mountainous scenery and vast open plains. Fifteen thatched and canvas chalets or "Kulalas (Kulala in the Namibian language "oshiwambo" means "to sleep") with en-suite bathrooms and showers are set on wooden platforms to provide maximum airflow. An option for outdoor enthusiasts is that bedrolls can be moved to the rooftop to sleep under the stars.

The main lodge, with décor inspired by northern Africa, has a lounge, pub, dining area and plunge pool, and offers a wrap-around veranda that overlooks the waterhole and provides a perfect location to view and photograph the desert scenery. Early morning guided nature drives to the spectacular dunes are through a private gate on the Tsauchab River. Nature drives and walks are also offered on the private reserve with incredible views, desert animals and smaller desert fauna and flora. Another option, at an extra cost, is early morning ballooning, beginning at first light. The 60-90 minute balloon safari offers a truly unique experience to soar silently above the magnificent sand dunes and desert, with a champagne breakfast being served at your landing site.

KULALA WILDERNESS CAMP

Kulala Wilderness Camp (formerly Kulala Tented Camp) is a ten-roomed camp situated in the heart of Namibia's Namib Desert on a 21 000-hectare (46 000-acre) private reserve near Sossusvlei.

The camp is built at the foot of a mountain and comprises 10 thatch and canvas chalets on elevated wooden decks which are linked to the main dining room, bar, reception area and swimming pool by gravel pathways.

The interiors are simple yet stylish and each room has 220v lighting and an en suite bathroom with hot water. The main dining area, bar and reception are built from canvas with thatch roofing.

There is a fully stocked bar and traditional three-course meals are served at dinner. At night, lanterns light the main area.

On the edge of the oldest desert in the world, wildlife here is sparse but fascinating.

Sightings of animals such as Springbok, Gemsbok, Ostrich, Bat-eared Fox and Aardwolf are exciting in these rugged conditions.

Activities comprise excursions to Sossusvlei, early morning ballooning (at extra cost), guided walks and nature drives.

LITTLE KULALA

Little Kulala is an acclaimed desert retreat, situated on a large private reserve, bordering the Namib Naukluft Park, in the heart of the Namib.

The camp offers magnificent views of the famous red dunes of Sossusvlei, magnificent mountainous scenery and vast open plains.

Eleven climate-controlled, thatched and canvas chalets or Kulalas ('Kulala' in the Namibian language Oshiwambo means 'to sleep') with en-suite bathrooms and showers are set on wooden platforms to provide maximum airflow. As an option for outdoor enthusiasts, bedrolls can be moved to the rooftop to sleep under the stars from a private star gazing platform.

The main lodge, with décor inspired from North Africa, has a lounge, pub, dining area and plunge pool, and offers a wrap-around veranda that overlooks the waterhole and provides a perfect location to view and photograph the desert sunset. A rooftop open air area for dinner under the stars is also part of the experience.

Early morning guided game drives to the spectacular dunes take place through a private gate on the Tsauchab River. Game drives and walks are also offered on the private reserve with incredible views, desert game and smaller desert fauna and flora. Another option is early morning ballooning, beginning at first light; the 60-90minute balloon safari offers a truly unique experience to soar silently above the magnificent sand dunes and desert, with a champagne breakfast being served at your landing site.

On the edge of the oldest desert in the world, this is not a game rich area, however, whatever game we see is interesting and dramatised by the contrast between the desert and animals like Springbok, Gemsbok (Oryx) and Ostrich who manage to survive in these harsh conditions.

Night drives using spotlights often encounter small mammals such as Aardwolf, Bat Eared Fox, Hares and sometimes Spotted Hyenas.

SOSSUSVLEI DESERT LODGE

Refresh your spirit and soothe your senses at serene Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, nestled deep in the heart of the ancient but ever-changing Namib Desert.

Perched on the edge of a rocky escarpment, this secluded getaway blends into the stark beauty of shifting sands, towering dunes and stony outcrops.

A calm oasis of peace and comfort in the midst of the world’s oldest desert, the Lodge offers a cosy and comfortable refuge in the vastness of this strange and beautiful land.

Let lose your inner child in this ultimate private playground, with its sandy dunes and surreal landscape, as you indulge in dune dinners and picnics in fairy circles.

• Situated in the unspoiled wilderness of the NamibRand Nature Reserve
• Near the spectacular dunes at Sossusvlei, among the highest in the world
• Nature drives, dune walks and quad biking over the dunes
• Lodge planetarium with resident astronomers to view the southern night skies

Cradled against ancient mountains, looking out onto a broad rocky plain that rises towards distant dunes of fiery sand, Sossusvlei Desert Lodge boasts a location that is at once dramatic and serene. Fantastically formed rock formations vie for attention with massive sand dunes as the shifting rays of the sun bring the landscape to life. With just ten villas constructed of stone and glass, guests can enjoy the solitary splendour of this remote landscape in privacy. Suites are air conditioned against the searing heat of day and cosy fireplaces ward off the chill of winter nights.

Minimalist interiors echo the stark elegance of the outdoors. Massive windows in the split-level bedroom and sitting room, as well as the ensuite bathroom, open onto the wide plains. Lose yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the desert from the comfort of your private veranda or experience the unaccustomed luxury of an outdoor shower with a view. A glazed glass skylight above the king sized bed lets in the blazing beauty of a clear night sky crammed with stars and your own personal spotting scope reveals clear details of both stars and wildlife.