Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

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.

Guest areas flow into vast desert views, as the stone and glass structure of the Lodge melts into wraparound verandas. Cool water gushes from an underground spring into the refreshing lodge pool, while an extensive walk-in wine cellar provides refreshment of a different sort. Mouth watering dinners are served by lantern light on the open dining deck or in a surprise location in the nearby dunes. When night falls, our resident astronomer reveals the mysteries of the stars in our state of the art observatory.

Sossusvlei Desert Lodge offers a choice of adventures aimed at delighting and informing guests about the surrounding desert.

Twice-daily nature drives

Track down unique desert-adapted wildlife in open vehicles, accompanied by an expert guide. Admire the fascinating and varied terrain, and learn more about the desert fauna and flora. Explore the mysterious fairy circles, where vegetation refuses to grow, and find out how the desert oryx can live without drinking water.

Dune walks

Guests are free to explore the areas surrounding the Lodge on foot. Experience the tranquillity of the desert and marvel at the exceptional plant life, such as the quiver tree, with its attractive yellow flowers. Guided dune walks introduce guests to life below the sands, where many small animals spend the day in cooler burrows. Expeditions to the nearby San caves to view cave paintings can be arranged.

Quad Biking

Explore the desert on already established trails on a quad bike. These exciting expeditions, headed by an expert guide, add a thrill of adrenalin to desert exploration.

Gaze at the Stars

Each evening resident astronomers give fascinating presentation on the stars and constellations in the southern African sky at our specially designed observatory, complete with powerful telescope.

Picnic Excursions

Guided tours of the famous Sossusvlei sand dunes and the fascinating Sesriem Canyon, as well as other places of interest in the area, can be arranged at an additional cost.

Energy

Sossusvlei Desert Lodge abandoned buying firewood in May 2006; the fragile ecology of the desert did not lend itself to support the supply of firewood and an alternative means of heating the lodge was required. 'Bushbloks' are now used to fuel all fires; they are produced and marketed by a joint project between the Cheetah Conservation Programme and US AID.

Environment

In the fragile desert landscape it is vital to be extra sensitive to the environment in which the lodge is constructed, and to manage all forms of energy and water use. Sossusvlei Desert Lodge has a vigorous recycling program, with dry waste being transported to Walvis Bay. Strict water conservation is employed at the lodge.

Community

The Maltahohe Children Feeding Project was started by Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Namibia, in response to the desperate need for basic nutrition in the poverty stricken children of the nearby Maltahohe village. Due to high unemployed and poor rains in the area these children have been denied the basic right to food.

Maltohohe is a small, impoverished town in the Namibian 'outback'. There are few economic opportunities in the area and many families are too poor to provide proper nutrition or education for their children. Sossusvlei Desert Lodge provides direct financial support and logistical assistance to the community and raises additional funds through an innovative ostrich egg sale. A small kitchen and dining hall is leased by the lodge and run by Daniel Fleermuys of the Lutherin Church.

The staff of Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Namibia, through the Maltahohe Project, identified the 25 neediest children of the nearby village and donated money to pay for their school fees to ensure they could be enrolled at Daweb, the local school. Education is essential in breaking the poverty cycle that has entrapped this community in severe unemployment and deprivation, and Sossusvlei Desert lodge aims to uplift these children through providing them with an opportunity that only education affords.

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