Reviews of Kulala Desert Lodge
(88%) From 144 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Kulala Desert Lodge review
The lodges location with private access to the National Park makes sightseeing really enjoyable
Read more about the whole safariKulala Desert Lodge review
Another beautiful place and we met the man who originally built it when we did a balloon ride.
The ladies singing in the kitchen was wonderful and encapsulated this place - it had a family community atmosphere where all the staff looked after us and each other. It is remote, and there is still a drive to the dunes which if you have the legs you must climb, do as the locals do and go barefoot.
The food was excellent and you can't but admire the staff who make sure you have breakfsted before dawn as you go out to see the sun rise.
Climb a dune - hard work especially for the heavier guys but the views from the top are stunning and the run down just the biggest laugh. This is a beautiful place and one of the reasons we went to Namibia in the first place and it didn't disappoint. Brunch in Soussevlei was a perfect end to the trip.
Expert Africa comments
Only one comment here - barefoot in the dunes can be magical when the sand is cool; but don't try it in the heat of a hot summer day!
Kulala Desert Lodge
It was a very long drive to Kulala from Windhoek for us (and I imagine for any 2-wheel drivers); the D854 is awful! Luckily, we arrived as the sun was low, and saw plenty of wildlife as we arrived near the lodge.
Our room was very nice, and the staff very attentive, if a little (only a little) slow at times.
The activities (Sossusvlei sunrise, and Sundowners trips) were very good, and our guide (Djibril) excellent. Kulala really is superbly placed to take advantage of their "back-door" into the park, beating nearly all those who have to enter the park at Sesriem (40 miles away) at sunrise.
The combined staff entertained us one evening with lovely singing of local songs, which was fun.
Kulala Desert Lodge review
Stunning location, and buildings look wonderful in the setting. It was great to have opportunity to sleep under the stars on the roof of your hut.
Service was very good but did not feel quite as homely/personal as some of the other lodges we stayed. They have their own private park entrance which is a big plus.
Expert Africa comments
The "private entrance" which this traveller is referring to is an entrance from Kulala’s private land directly into the Namib-Naukluft National Park. This private entrance at Kulala means that its vehicles don't need to go through the normal park gate at Sesriem, and have effectively a ‘short cut’ to Sossusvlei – which can be an advantage in saving time on early-morning trips when the first light of day is the best light for photography.
This private entrance can be used by game-viewing vehicles which belong to other lodges in the area run by Wilderness Safaris, namely: Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp, Kulala Wilderness Camp and Wilderness’s flagship camp in the area, Little Kulala.
Kulala Desert Lodge review
The access road was in poor condition and we complained to the manager.
The manager (Jonathan) was exceptionally helpful when we laft as the Tsauchab river flooded at Sesriem and he arranged for us to use their private gate to get onto the tarred road to Sesriem.
Our guide who took us to Sossusvlei was excellent.
Kulala Desert Lodge review
Great Staff, pool needs a good clean. We really enjoyed our stay and everyone was extremely helpful and friendly. The only let down was the food quality. Dunes amazing.
Read more about the whole safariConvenient access to Sosuvlei
Service was decidedly mixed. The hotel was nearly empty, and perhaps they gave everyone time off, but it was hard to even get a glass of lemonade in the afternoon. The trips were very generic -- you and 500 of your closest friends get to tramp across the dunes at Sosusvlei.
The guide was very sweet, but basically untrained on the biology of the region. Wilderness Safaris knows how to promote itself (lots of advertising material for other camps available if you want it!), but the experience here was very generic.
The advantage of this site is that it has a special entrance so you can get into Sosuvlei before the crowds, but our Land Rover broke down, and we missed the window.
Kulala Desert Lodge review
Another warm welcome at Kulala with cool drinks waiting for us. The food here was rather good although I wasn't able to eat much as I still wasn't up to scratch. The first evening I spent in bed.
Our visit to Sossusvlei was very interesting with an informative guide and lots to see. Unfortunately we were unable to climb Dune 45 because of the large number of parties ahead of us. We spent time at Deadvlei and then had lunch. That evening we drove out into the desert for a "Sundowner".
The following morning Amanda went on a hot air balloon trip but I had to cry off as I was still feeling unwell. She really enjoyed herself.
Our only adverse comment about Kulala was the wind which blew incessantly in the evenings and made eating out both chilly and difficult.
Kulala Desert Lodge review
Blends in so well with its surroundings that we didn't see it until we were quite close. It's possible to sleep on the roof of your room here, but we didn't as the space was very small and we weren't sure how good our ladder navigating skills would be in the middle of the night!
Very comfortable and everyone was friendly and helpful. The food here was excellent.
Although the lodge has its own access to the Park we weren't at the dunes for sunrise, so if this is important to you, perhaps it would be better to stay nearer the gates at Sesriem.
We have always believed that acting responsibly is the only way to approach tourism and we're one of
the few companies to hold AITO's original coveted 5-star status for responsible tourism. It's a lead
that others are now following.
