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LITTLE KULALA LODGE

Situated on the 45,000 acre private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, bordering the Namib Naukluft Park, Little Kulala Lodge lies in the heart of the Namib Desert.

The primary highlight of a stay at Little Kulala is the towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei, said to be the highest in the world. Some of these dunes rise dramatically over 1,200 feet above the surrounding plains, and their myriad changing colors attract photographers and artists from around the world. The Kulala Reserve is the closest of any to the dunes themselves, and a private entrance allows Little Kulala guests to reach the dunes early in the morning, when the colors are at their most magnificent.

Perhaps the most spectacular sight of all is the eerie and almost other-worldly 'Deadvlei' adjacent to Sossusvlei. It is a place where distance and perspective become warped, and time appears to lose all sense of purpose; in its tortured beauty it is a landscape that appears to have sprung directly from a Salvador Dali canvas. The drive into the Sossusvlei / Deadvlei area takes guests along the dry riverbed of the Tsauchab River, past row upon row of dramatic dunes, culminating in what could only be described as one of the most unique areas in the world.

Activities center around guided early morning excursions in 4x4 vehicles to the magnificent Sossusvlei and Deadvlei dunes. Afternoon activities are enjoyed on the property - either guided nature drives or walks to take in the desert scenery and its unique fauna and flora. Early morning balloon excursions (an optional extra activity) provide another perspective on the magnificent landscape, and are prefectly rounded off with a champagne breakfast at the landing site.

Little Kulala is an exclusive lodge with just eleven luxurious "kulalas" (Swahili for resting place). Each spacious climate-controlled "kulala" is comprised of a large bedroom and living room area, an en-suite bathroom, with both indoor and outdoor showers, and a viewing deck with plunge pool. A rooftop "skybed" is a unique feature offering a superlative private star-gazing experience.

The overall ambience at Little Kulala is cool, serene, organic and sheltering, inspired by the magnificent austerity of nearby Dead Vlei. The extensive use of neutral colors, myriad textures and natural light reproduce the soothing pastel tones of the surrounding desert. Furnishings are simple and elegant, utilizing warm polished wood, white gauzy linen, mohair dyed with natural vegetable dyes, and whicker to beautiful effect.

The common area at Little Kulala is designed to mitigate and soften the harsh desert environment. Bleached wooden decking accommodating the existing knarled trees smoothed and polished by sun, sand and wind, topped with golden thatched roofing, creates an airy space that merges seamlessly with the other-wordly landscape. Meals can be enjoyed indoors protected from the elements, or on the extensive veranda en plein air.

Little Kulala is a stylish and luxurious base from which to explore the splendor of the Namib Desert. Its proximity to the mighty dunes at Sossusvlei is a great advantage for an early morning start to see the dunes at their most impressive, while the atmosphere and decor of the lodge provide a cool counterfoil to the harsh desert surroundings.

To find out more about Little Kulala Lodge, or to make a reservation, call toll-free in the USA at

1-888-227-8311 or email us.

CLASSIC AFRICAN PORTFOLIO - Sossusvlei and Namib Desert