Little kulala

Little Kulala, a luxurious desert retreat, is situated on the 210 km² private Kulala Wilderness Reserve. The entrance to this reserve is just 17km from Sesriem, and is the gateway to Namibia's Sand Sea, with its towering red dunes and clear starry skies.

The main area is built over three levels. At the entrance level, you are greeted by a long cement seat, and is covered with large, stuffed cushions. The curved stone walls open up to the tea room, a bar and various other comfortable seating areas. The circular design, was inspired by the mystical 'fairy circles,' found throughout the Namib Desert.

Large glass doors lead from the main lounge, into a large, mainly thatched deck, partly-built around existing camelthorn trees. Here there are more sitting areas, including woven hammock chairs. This area is often used for dining, but in the colder winter months, (July to August) dinner is usually served inside, where there is a large, inviting large stone fireplace. A more romantic candle-lit meal table for two, can be set up in the lodge's underground wine cellar.

There is a well-stocked reference library on the top level of the main building. Clay pots, sculptures and a variety of hand-woven baskets, are placed amongst scatter cushions, bean bags and an amazing shaggy-wool chaise lounge. There is also a fire place here in this great chill-out area.

To the left of the main building, an outside deck opens up to form the pool area, fenced off from the desert by bamboo sticks. There are fantastic views over the surrounding desert terrain from here.

Little Kulala has 11 air-conditioned double chalets, all raised on white-washed wooden decks, surrounded by a bamboo stick fence/gate. The bathroom has a marble shower, twin wash-basins, electric shaver-points and a stock of complementary toiletries and large wall-sized mirror. Sleep on a double bed, sited in the middle of the room and raised on a small wooden platform. A tea/coffee station and a fully-stocked mini-bar/fridge are standard. The large lounge has pebble-shaped cushions and a coffee-table and foot stools set on a beautiful sand coloured rug. Two sides of the room are made almost entirely of glass, enhancing the desert atmosphere. Admire the environment when bathing in the private outdoor shower.

To one side of the front of the chalet is a large private deck. This adjoins a thatched 'sala,' (a small, open-air lounging area) complete with cushions, outdoor table with chairs for dining outdoors, sun loungers and your very own private plunge pool! To the other side of your chalet, are steps that lead upstairs onto your very own private terrace. Bedrolls can be unfurled for their guests, complete with hot-water bottles in the winter.

This beautiful reserve has a variety of desert-adapted wildlife, such as springbok, gemsbok, (oryx) and smaller mammals such as bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal and the elusive aardwolf, that can be seen on night drives. Kulala is also home to a variety of birds, such as the aptly named Dune Lark, whose entire population is completely restricted to these red sands.

Their sunrise excursion into the Sossusvlei dunes, leaves a few minutes before sunrise, breakfast is served afterwards at the dunes. There are also morning, afternoon and night drives, and guided walks on the reserve.