Reviews of Sossus Dune Lodge
(89%) From 138 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
| 
Sossus Dune Lodge review
We loved Sossus Dune lodge - the individual huts were very well decorated and very clean. The location also cannot be beat for being able to get to the dunes for sunrise.
The food was great and the staff were helpful in giving us a packed breakfast the morning that we got up early to see sunrise. The staff were all very young and although very friendly and attentive they were perhaps lacking in knowledge slightly and when we asked questions about time of sunrise, best place to see sunrise etc nobody seemed to be able to answer our questions.
If the staff could perhaps be briefed on local knowledge (or indeed an information folder be put in the rooms) and this would perfect this otherwise great accommodation.
Sossus Dune Lodge review
Great location and a good room but badly run: We experienced difficulty with:
1. Check in
2. Not having enough 4x4's for the morning activity and they ended up renting a small vehicle which had to accommodate 6 of us - a party of 4 and us two and when your Clive's size of 6'4" this is not fun for him or anyone else
3. The Guide had been seconded from Fish River Canyon - we joined him on his second day and therefore we were given no guiding to speak of which was a real shame
4. Unable to accommodate us for an evening sundowner in the Dunes due to lack of vehicles
5. Breakfast in the dune was a very poor affair
6. Shaded area round the pool is not finished
7. Difficulty in them arranging a transfer for us on the morning of departure to get us to Sesriem Gate to meet the balloon transportation.
8. Only four wines were available from the list
It is great to be in Sossusvlei first to climb the dunes first but not worth the stay at this place.
Sossus Dune Lodge review
Sossus Dune Lodge was better than I expected as it was a NWR property, even though it is their flagship lodge.
The chalets were huge and even had bathrobes, fridge and a hairdyer. The only thing missing was a safe. Downsides were that the rooms got hot in the afternoon (talking to the manager he said he did realise this and that they were hoping to put air-con into the main lounge area in the future so that people could at least go there to read etc in the cool).
I would probably think seriously about this if travelling here in the summer and secondly, that there was no shade at the pool (manager also said this was being done imminently so perhaps worth checking if this bothers you). Staff were all very helpful and friendly and food very good.
Do ask the way across to the dunes if driving yourself rather than go back to the gate as they did not volunteer this info on check-in.
Sossus Dune Lodge review
Being unable to have 2 nights at Kulala Desert Lodge, we moved 10kilometres to Sossus Dune Lodge which was a good experience and the rooms were fantastic - the bungalows were very large and very comfortable. However we found the atmosphere quite lacking and very down beat - the food was good but the service was very stiff.
The dining room was spacious with great views but again very formal - it was memorable for the luxurious living but not for the atmosphere.
Sossus Dune Lodge review
The rooms here are fantastic, although if you are in the end ones as we were it can be a bit of a walk.
Not all the rooms can see the waterhole, although there was not a lack of views.
The views of the sky were amazing - (I know this out of anyones control but WOW).
Service here was hit and miss, it was as if some of the staff did not really know what they were doing (a common problem in goverment run/NWR accommodation) eg we booked an early morning drive to Dead Flei leaving at 5.30 and were told to be prompt. We arrived at 5.20 only to be told it had already left. I went back to the room to get my car keys and by the time I returned the driver was there. However we then waited until 6.00 before leaving as another couple was supposed to join us.
The early morning Dead Flei views are an absolute must!
Check out was slow - especially if trying to pay with a credit card.
Not worth the money
This was probably the worst experience we had in Namibia. This was the third property we stayed run by NWR. As usual they have the best locations to build their lodges, charge a heft price but without the service.
The lodge reception and accommodations were on top of a little hill, guests have to park their vehicles at car park at the bottom of the hill and transport by lodge's golf cart to the reception. When we arrived, no one was at car park to direct us or transport us to the lodge reception. We waited for 10 minutes and decided to walk up to the reception ourselves. Half way up the hill, a golf cart turned up and the driver apologised for not meeting us on our arrival citing the excuse of shift change.
We were met by the duty manager, Louis Armstrong Jnr who gave us information of the lodge and the activities they offered. We wanted to do the balloning trip on morning and he offered to book for us. The booking was later confirmed and time and venue were given.
Magical Desert Stat at Sossus Dune Lodge
Liked the position of the Lodge in the Park and raised walkways and the rondavels on stilts. Lovely pool.
Particularly liked our Herero gude who was very knowledgeable. Got us to a dune overlooking Dead Vlei for sunrise. Good breakfast set out for us beside Sossus Vlei.
Sossus Dune Lodge review
A great place to stay inside the park so you are able to enjoy sunrise and sunset without having to dash to or from the gate at opening and closing times.
Only thing that lets it down are the dining arrangements. The kitchen is so far removed from the dining area food arrives cold which is a pity because the food itself is good.
Sossus Dune Lodge - first posh grass roof
Recommended to us - we had our own grass roof and timber chalet with luxurious bedding.
Accomodation could not be faulted. Run by the park extremely well. Very handy for early morning trip to dunes.
Wish we had stayed here a day longer - bad judgement on our part. I have no complaints about the food served in the restaraunt... but everything else was so amazing....
Sossus Dune Lodge Review
Everyone wanting to visit Sossus Vlei should stay here! We were really impressed with the location and the quality of our room. The big advantage is being able to have an extra hour inside the park gates, morning and evening. The room was really spacious, with a great balcony, comfortable sun-loungers, bath robes, filter coffee & biscuits.
Our evening meal was also excellent, particularly the oryx.
We were a little disappointed with the lack of information available to us when we arrived. For example, it would have been useful to know
(i) that the lodge has its own road into the park and you don't have to waste 15 minutes driving back to the main gate like we did
(ii) that you don't need a permit if you're staying at the lodge
(iii) that lunch is included, even if the booking states you're on a dinner, bed & breakfast plan
(iv) what time you are expected back at the lodge after sunset
(v) that you apparently need to make a reservation for breakfast (our ballooning trip was cancelled so, having been told breakfast was from 6am, we turned up at 6.10 to find that 'the chef is still waking up'! They eventually started serving at 7am when other guests arrived but they didn't set a table for us or take a hot food order as we shouldn't have been there. We ended up setting our own table and skipping hot food as we'd already wasted an hour of daylight.)
A few minor improvements would make this place fantastic. We'd definitely stay here again.
