Highlights

• A chic desert retreat from which to explore the untamed beauty of the Namib Desert.
• Our exclusive-use gate to the Namib-Naukluft National Park allows guests early and private access to the iconic red dunes of Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei.
• An unforgettable hot air balloon adventure* over the Namib Sand Sea and mystical fairy circles is followed by a celebratory champagne breakfast.
• The Namib Sand Sea is a World Heritage Site, and here, Sossusvlei is the result of a series of fascinating geological events. The flow of the ephemeral Tsauchab River, now blocked by a mass of sand, is flanked by some of the tallest dunes in the world.

* [weather permitting and at an additional cost]

NOTE: Ballooning closed on 25 December and 01 January, and from mid-January to mid-February.

Destination: Wilderness Little Kulala is an elegant sanctuary on the dry Auab riverbed in the 27,000-hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve – the ideal setting from which to savour the splendour and solitude of the Namib Desert. Its private gate allows guests exclusive, early access to the Namib-Naukluft National Park to explore Sossusvlei and its extraordinary surrounds.

Experience: The vast, open dunefields beckon, offering thrilling adventures as well as time for solitude. An excursion to Sossusvlei includes climbing Big Daddy, one of the tallest sand dunes in the world; other activities include a hike along the 30-metre deep Sesriem Canyon, or seeing the desert come alive on a guided walk in the Kulala Wilderness Reserve’s low-impact area. Nature drives spotting desert-adapted wildlife are also on offer, as well as a family favourite – exploring the spectacular gravel plains on eco-sensitive quad bike or e-fatbike adventures**. Guests are also invited to experience an unforgettable hot-air ballooning adventure* over thevast Namib Sand Sea and its mystical fairy circles, launched on our private reserve. At night, guests can enjoy a sleep-out under millions of stars on the deck of their suite.

**(at extra cost on a DB1 rate basis, however, included on a FI rate basis - subject to availability on either rate basis)

Purpose: Once farmland used for subsistence goat farming, the Kulala Wilderness Reserve had very little indigenous wildlife. In 1996 Wilderness stepped in to rehabilitate the area and today the land and its wildlife have returned to their former glorious natural state.

Wildlife: The area is home to striking desert-adapted wildlife, such as the majestic oryx, (or gemsbok, the national animal of Namibia) as well springbok, 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 spotted. The aptly named dune lark, a true endemic that is perfectly camouflaged by the sand, is a fascinating find, as are a surprisingly diverse array of insects, reptiles, and rodents. Other fascinating creatures to look out for include the buck-spoor spider with its multi-entrance burrow – and ambush specialist, the antlion. At dusk the iconic call of barking geckos echoes in the still night.

Wilderness Little Kulala: An elegant desert retreat, Little Kulala effortlessly embraces its Namib vistas. The guest suites feature private pools for invigorating relief from the heat. The suite rooftops invite private sundowners and suppers. A roll-out bed on the shaded deck is perfect for a siesta, or heavenly night’s sleep.

Highlights include a pamper session at the Kulala Spa, a romantic fairy-circle dinner under the stars and waking up to uninterrupted views over the early-morning desert.

The Trading Store is stocked with interesting keepsakes to take home, and the upstairs lounge includes a library, the Olympus Photo Hub and an inviting corner for relaxation.