Sossusvlei Desert Lodge (formerly known as Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge) is perhaps the ultimate in desert luxury, and would appeal to those who love their comforts. Located in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, this lodge allows visitors to soak up unspoilt views and participate in a range of activities.
Sossusvlei Desert Lodge has ten chalets constructed from stone-and-glass and decorated in soft neutral tones. The split-level rooms have many comforts, including a glass-panelled bathroom, indoor and an outdoor showers, air conditioning, well-stocked minibars, CD-players, and even your own telescope. Each room can be either twin or double and one can also be converted into a triple room. Rooms are spacious, with their own comfortable lounge areas and sliding glass doors that can be opened on to the desert. Through these doors is a terrace with a sun lounger. Above the beds is a skylight, which makes the room feel light and bright during the day, and at night allows you to star gaze from your own bed. On arrival guests all receive a personalised welcome note and information about the stars.
Sossusvlei Desert Lodge's restaurant serves tasty food from an à-la-carte menu (even for breakfast) that rotates every seven days. The restaurant is adjacent to the bar, which has views over the desert. Down a couple of steps from the dining area is an impressive air-conditioned wine cellar that can also be used for private dinners.
Up a short flight of stairs from the bar and restaurant is a spacious lounge that also has a terrace. Being higher up, you can see further from this terrace than you can from downstairs. There's a real interest in astronomy here. The lodge has a computer-controlled telescope that guests can use, and pathways are lit by red lights at night so that the stars can still be seen (guests are also given a torch). The lodge even has a resident astronomer who can explain the constellations and talk to you about the night sky. There's also satellite TV up here, as well as a small selection of books to browse.
In front of the dining area, and slightly lower than the rest of the camp, is the circular swimming pool. It has fabulous views across the plains to the distant mountains, and antelope visiting the waterhole can often be seen from here. The pool is fed by water from a spring.
On our last visit in 2010, we were greeted on arrival by cheery and welcoming staff who poured us a refreshing glass of homemade lemonade, just what we needed after a hot and dusty journey. We found the service here to be excellent, with no task too difficult for the staff.
Activities at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge include excursions to Sossusvlei (with breakfast), guided nature walks, scenic nature drives, a waterfall trip, birdwatching, quadbiking in ATVs (over 16s only), and a walk to bushman caves with rock paintings. It is possible to hike up some of the nearby mountains with a ranger and guests can go for unguided walks on their own, but are given a radio. For those looking for something less energetic, the lodge can book massages for you in your own room.
In conclusion… Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is a well designed lodge, with a lovely setting offering beautiful views and a range of activities. It offers high levels of service and comfort, and is well worth a stay if your budget can stretch to it.
Sossusvlei Desert Lodge review
We were very surprised at the number of animals (particularly small mammals) which inhabit the area and got great pictures of bat eared foxes and an aardwolf. Watch out for the scorpions....
Click on the links below to read sections from the Bradt guidebook which are related to Sossusvlei Desert Lodge.
Sossusvlei Mountain Put Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge into context – read more about it in the Bradt travel guide to Namibia.
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Sossusvlei Desert Lodge homepage Have a look at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge's homepage - on &Beyond's site, as they own and run the lodge - for more pictures and information on the lodge, its activities and the area.
Sossusvlei Mountain 