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
This lodge did not match up to others on our trip.
It has a good location and private access to the park but you still end up at the dunes at the same time as everyone else. The option of sleeping on the roof was not realistic. A small area above the bathroom with access from outside on a sort of ladder with no handrail. This in full view of the guest area.
Some of the food was so badly cooked it was inedible and no effort was made to correct this. Staff were not exactly attentive and there appeared to be some scam going on with the house wine. No-one, including the manager, was able to give a clear answer to the question of whether wine was included with the meal which it is in this chain of lodges. The wine (boxed) was served from the carafe and when we checked out we were given an unitemized bill. On asking for details the house wine was on the bill. When challenged the member of staff immediately crossed it out as if expecting to.
Morning excursion to Sossusvlei dunes: I expected to be there earlier in the morning having a private entrance. We had to wait for other guests and for the tyre pressures to be checked and I didn't feel we got the best photo opportunities. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable and helpful and he did a good job.
Kulala Desert Lodge review
Overall a very nice lodge; good guides, good food.
It would be a good idea for the excursions to be included in the price - almost everyone goes there to see the dunes, so why add £100+ each to the bill?
Kulala Desert Lodge review
Too large and getting larger! It is definitely a lodge and not a camp.
Read more about the whole safariBarking Geckos at Kulala Desert Lodge
It was excellent for a two night stay, but I can see why one might get bored for three or more nights. Ballooning can be cancelled due to strong winds as it was when we were there. They are adding quad biking to their activities for this reason. But if getting out and about is not essental its a great place for reading, writing, or just relaxing ... Scenery stunning. Friendly efficient service from all.
14km of terrible access road
Having travelled a long way on gravel roads you are confronted by a even worse challenge which needs a 4 x 4 vehicle!
So called option of sleeping upstairs on the roof was not catered for.
Best point was location for access to dunes area but debate if worth it overall
In need of improvement
PLEASE NOTE. Trip to Soussevei sand dunes was quite amazing. The guide was excellent and the trip was excellent value lasting 6 hours and more.
Hot air ballooning in the Sossusvlei area booked with Expert Africa - rating = poor
Good experience but most disappointing part of trip, Lack of sights on trip and no sooner in air than pilot concerned about the landing point. Think this is not a good venue for a balloom trip as you do not see the dunes or any wild life on it. Breakfast was a most enjoyable experience.
Expert Africa comments
We were sorry that these travellers found the location, rooms and food a problem at Kulala Desert Lodge; put this in context by reading about their trip as a whole.
Kulala Desert Lodge
A lovely place to stay. Good views of the dunes for us, but not all rooms had as good a view. Quite an 'otherwordly' location.
They provided a hot buffet for evening meals, but there was nothing special for the vegetarian, he just had vegetables. On the remaining two nights they had noticed this and made him something - very good.
Really good afternoon tea and cakes/pastries. I like that they produce some of their own vegetables.
Our third night was very windy and quite cold - when we went to bed we found furry hot-water bottles in there. Fantastic.
Did a morning dunes trip with the lodge - very good.
Frustratingly close to the dunes if you want to drive in youself as we did - can't use their private access. This adds three hours to your visit to the dunes. I've ticked 'Excellent' for location, but that was more to do with the ambience.
Warm welcome
The staff here could not do enough for us. The camp has its own entrance to Sossusvlei which saves a lot of time, and the guides are friendly and knowledgeable.
Climbing a dune and plunging down the steep side into Dead Vlei was great fun, as was the hot air balloon ride we took from here.
Never seen so many stars at night...
This was our first visit to the desert. We enjoyed it but probably wouldn't go again...the views were great and it was very peaceful, but our main interests are animal/bird watching. We were fortunate to have a guide (Cristoff) to ourselves and he was extremely knowledgeable and kind.
NB: Just for info... don't know if you've visited the Lodge recently but when we were there they were finishing off some new rooms to be used from end of September 2010. They face away from the really good views.... if we'd ended up with one of them we'd have been disappointed.
A bit of luxury in the desert
This is a special place in the desert. When we arrived after a long drive down the track to the lodge, we were greeted with glasses of ginger cordial and a big welcome from staff. The lodge has stunning views over the desert with it's own small waterhole below the lodge.
The room was comfortable and elegant and the bathroom had great complementary toiletries. They are very eco friendly and there is a bucket in the shower to collect the water as it's heating up which the maid then takes away to be reused. There is a good selection of trips from the lodge which are pricey, but worth doing, particularly the trip to Sossusvlei via their private entrance. Again you are greeted with a drink when you get back.
The lodge is run very smoothly and professionally and is quite expensive but definitely worth it.
wonderful location
amazing location and the views from the tents were wonderful (though rather cold on the first night) Service friendly. Food rather erratic. Some meals were good, others not so good.
Lovely layout - verandah pool etc
Open fire a good idea but still rather cold in the building on the first evening
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.
