Little Kulala, Desert Lodge, Kulala Wildlife Reserve, Namibia

Little Kulala is a luxurious desert retreat situated in the private 37 000-hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve - the gateway to Namibia's Sand Sea with its towering dunes and clear starry skies.

Accommodation at Little Kulala consists of 11 climate-controlled, thatched "kulalas" (the word means 'to sleep') which merge impeccably into the timeless desert landscape, with exquisite fittings and fixtures, and innovative bleached decks - each with a private plunge pool. Each kulala has a rooftop 'skybed' for romantic stargazing, with both indoor and outdoor showers.

Little Kulala features an elegant entertainment area which includes a library, wine cellar, craft boutique, lounge and dining areas. Dining under the clear Namibian skies is a highlight. The interiors have been designed to provide an all-natural and unique experience in this most beautiful environment. The extensive use of neutral colours, gorgeous textures and natural light reproduce the soothing pastel tones of the desert. Pure linens, cottons and mohair dyed with natural vegetable dyes all make for a very organic camp which takes its inspiration from its surroundings, notably from the magnificent Dead Vlei in the middle of Sossusvlei. The overall mood and feel is cool, serene, organic and sheltering.

Desert-adapted wildlife such as ostrich, springbok and gemsbok eke out an existence and are sparsely distributed around Little Kulala. Smaller creatures such as bat-eared fox and aardwolf can be seen at night in the cool desert air. One bird, the aptly named dune lark, has its entire global distribution limited to the area, so dependent is it on the area's characteristic sands.

Activities at Little Kulala start with morning guided drives to the spectacular towering dunes of Sossusvlei, through a private gate into the reserve. Sossusvlei is situated within the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world, which itself is part of the Namib Naukluft National Park that stretches 400km south of Walvis Bay and is sandwiched between the west coast and the escarpment that runs parallel more than 100km inland. Its huge dunes and flat valley floors make up the archetypical view of the Namib that is world famous.

Guided drives and walks are also offered on the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve with incredible views, desert-adapted wildlife and plants.

Another option, at an extra cost, is early morning ballooning, beginning at first light. The 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. Finally, camel rides are offered at extra cost, where guests can enjoy a leisurely walk on 'ships of the desert' through the Reserve and learn about their adaptation to desert environments.

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