Read 4 traveller reviews of Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp

Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp stands on a private reserve, 40km south-east of Sesriem, and shares a border with the Namib-Naukluft National Park to the west.

Though many visitors to this cam fly into it, some will drive themselves here. Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp shares a 'welcome area' with its sister camp Kulala Wilderness Camp where guests arriving in 2WD vehicles will find secure parking under shade. On arrival, self-driving guests are collected here for the short but steep and bumpy drive to the camp, which requires a 4WD vehicle. Guests arriving in a 4WD vehicle can drive to the top of the hill beside the lodge's main area, and park there.

Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp is built near the top of the hill with nine thatched chalets dotted along the ridge, each blending in beautifully with the natural rock and desert scenery. Stone footpaths lead around the hill to the chalets, which are linked to this by their own raised wooden walkways. (Read more about the camp's chalets…)

The main area of the lodge is reach through a beautiful polished wooden front door, and capped by a high thatched roof, which is criss-crossed by wooden beams. It's open-plan and very spacious, with white tiled floors, white-washed walls and dark wooden furniture – and incorporates some large, exposed rocks from the hillside beneath. The décor is tasteful, with an African artifacts sprinkled around the main area, and hung on the walls. To one side of the room is a large dining table – the venue for many evening meals.

There is a 'help-yourself' tea/coffee station set out against the far wall with a huge mirror hanging over it on the wall. In the opposite corner, the bar and is stocked with a section of spirits, local beers and wines, and lined with comfortable wooden bar stools.

In front of the bar there are several separate small lounge areas, with comfortable, light colored sofas, with bright scatter cushions with bold African designs and these are set around wooden coffee tables. There are coffee table books to browse through and a guest book to thumb through while enjoying a refreshing cool drink.

The front of the main area has tall glass panels set in dark wooden frames, which can open out onto an outer deck. This deck is partially under thatch, and has comfortable chairs with wonderful views of the desert.

Activities offered at the camp include early-morning drives to Sesriem Canyon and the Sossusvlei dunes – which will take you via the private entrance gate on the Kulala Reserve. After afternoon tea, a nature walk on the private reserve is possible, which will often end with a sundowner drink atop a mountain, to watch the sunset.

An alternative activity which can be done from the lodge is a night drive after dinner, to see some of the nocturnal desert life. Whilst guests staying longer then two nights will usually be offered a full-day excursion into the Naukluft Mountains.

Three other lodges share Kulala Reserve with Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp, and all are run by Wilderness Safaris: Kulala Desert Lodge, Little Kulala and Kulala Wilderness Camp.

Click on a link for more details of:
Thatched chalet at Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 9 twin chalets

Season: Open Year Round

Ideal length of stay: 2 - 3 nights

Geographics

Location: Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia

Directions: Fly-in or self drive

Accessible by: Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Owner: Wilderness Safaris

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor Dining

Room service: Yes

Drinks included: Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp is only booked on the basis of Full Board and activities. This includes all soft drinks, bottled water, house wines and beers – and also your normal guided activities using lodge-based guides. Please note that imported wines and premium brands such as spirits and champagne are never included on this board basis; they must be settled direct at an extra cost.

Special interests

Photographic: The Namib Naukluft National Park is possibly one of the most photographed of Namibia's tourist attractions. With breath-taking sunrises and sunsets over the burnt orange dunes, against the black of age old camelthorn trees and the occasional solitary Oryx standing on the ridge of a dune. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for Photographic

Children

Attitude towards children: Then camp won't usually accept children of seven years or below to stay – and there are no special rooms designed for families here.

Age restrictions: Families with children younger than 12 year must book a private vehicle for any activities.

Generally recommended for children: We don't recommend Sossuvlei Wilderness Camp for younger children (or anyone who has mobility restrictions) because the camp is built high on a hill. The pathways do not all have rails, and do often have lots of steps. Also although the 'plunge-pools' in the rooms are tiny, they are also quite deep.

Central communications

Power supply: Generator

Communications: No telephones in any of the rooms or around the camp. There is often mobile reception but guests are discouraged from using their mobile phones in public areas of the camp – and mobile phones are banned from game-drive vehicles.

TV & radio: None

Health & safety

Malarial area: No

Medical care: There is a medical doctor in Mariental. However in cases of serious emergencies, guests are flown out to the Medi Clinic private hospital in Windhoek. But please note that all emergency evacuations are only possible during daylight hours and not after sunset. The camp management have first aid training, to deal with minor injuries, and a doctor is on standby 24-hours (on the phone) to offer necessary advise.

Dangerous animals: Low Risk

Security measures: The camp has a main reception gate which is manned most of the day and at night the gate is locked.

Fire safety: There are strategically-placed fire extinguishers in each of the chalets.

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible

Laundry facilities: A complimentary laundry service is included in the full board basis. However please note that this service is limited due to the scarcity of water in the area. (You are on the edge of one of the world's driest deserts!)

Money: Travellers' cheques can be exchanged if the camp managers have sufficient currency at hand.

Accepted payment: American Express and Diners Club cards are not accepted, but most other major credit cards are fine as a method of payment. The camp does not charge any commission on credit card payments – although third-party suppliers, like the charter company here that offers scenic flights over the area, do charge a commission on card payments

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