Reviews of Kulala Desert Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
362 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Kulala Desert Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Good base for visiting Sossusvlei"
Beautiful location with lovely views of the sunset. Comfortable room. Expensive trips but cheap drinks!
We went on the early morning trip to the dunes. We would like to have had more detailed information about the exact itinerary before committing to the trip but the guide seemed unable to tell us exactly where we would be going. We suggest that an information sheet with details and costs of all the available trips should be left in the rooms.
It was good to take advantage of the lodge's private access to the dunes. We enjoyed climbing Dune 45 and the tail of Big Daddy. Deadvlei was fascinating and beautiful. With hindsight we would have preferred to have gone to the top of Big Daddy and missed out Sossusvlei which was not nearly as interesting as Deadvlei but this was not presented as an option. The guide was helpful and gave us useful information about the area.
Evening meals were excellent and we enjoyed the staff singing to us ( and they appeared to enjoy it too).
We thought that we had lost my husband's mobile phone (we eventually found it on its side in the safe, out of range of either natural or artificial light) and the staff were all very helpful and concerned about finding it.
Although the service at the lodge could not be faulted, we were slightly less comfortable with the packaged feel of the Wilderness Safaris approach." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
"Comfortable and stylish lodge"
Although we had a fairly comprehensive (tick box) briefing as part of our very warm welcome here, we were never exactly clear on what was extras (wine, laundry etc.) and what was included , but the final bill seemed fairly reasonable for such an enjoyable stay. As with every place we stayed, staff were friendly and helpful." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia; 5n in Zimbabwe; 4n in Botswana
"Great location for visiting the dunes"
Our guide, Joas, was excellent and we really enjoyed our Sundowner drive and our morning trip to the dunes. Kulala's private entrance to the park is a big advantage and saves a lot of time. The morning trip to the dunes was a highlight of our trip - we climbed Big Daddy and took spectacular pictures at Deadvlei.
We took the opportunity to sleep on the roof under the stars, which was a great experience. This lodge is slightly larger than some of the smaller camps we stayed at so the experience is less personal, but it is still highly recommended." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
"Great activities - very friendly"
"Kulala Desert Lodge review"
The food was excellent; we loved dining at the terrace and watch wildlife passing by. There was traditional dance performance one night. This is a perfect place for star gazing.
Kulala is very eco-friendly; we loved the idea with plastic refillable waters and paper bin bags replacing plastic ones." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
"Kulala Desert Lodge review"
Suama was our guide to Sossussvlei and she was excellent in how she explained everything about the terrain, the geology, flora and fauna. Additionally she skillfully managed a group of very different abilities, allowing them to enjoy as much climbing and walking along the dunes as they could.
I had an incident at Kulala Desert Lodge which illustrates excellent staff service standards. I had thought I had lost my mobile phone. It turned out that it was in our room all the time. All the staff, from the manager downwards behaved in an exemplary fashion in they way in which they dealt with this and I was impressed.
I slept on the roof of our chalet and again the star-studded night sky is something I will never forget.
We were very sorry to leave Kulala Desert Lodge." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
"Kulala Desert Lodge review"
We took a smaller dune and met others later. Guide was helpful and very good at explaining the geology etc.
This was one of the best organised sites we stayed on. Attention to every detail. Efficient staff but friendly." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
"Kulala Desert Lodge review"
Only point of critique: why put the pool next to the parking lot and entrance?" See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
"Loved Kulala!"
The trip to the dunes was breathtaking and was one of the highlights of the whole trip. Stefanus was an excellent guide! We also loved the quad bike ride through the desert (complete with hilltop sunset drinks) and sleeping under the stars on the roof of our little hut.
Thank you to all the staff at Kulala Desert Lodge for an incredible stay" See all these reviews: 6n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 1n in Zimbabwe
"Kulala Desert Lodge review"
The main benefit of staying here is the backdoor private gate to Sossusvlei, hence avoid the unnecessary de-tour and queue to the official main gate in the morning. The activities were done in a 10-seater van, and in our case the van was at full capacity. Not everyone got a window seat. This is in contrast to the usual 6-seater safari vehicles and we barely had more than 4 people at a time. On the other hand, our guide was good at making frequent stops to make sure everyone got a good photo and managing the time. All in all it was a decent experience.
Services at the lodge could feel a little rough around the edges e.g. announcing incorrect menu at dinner, missing utensils at meal times, a drink we didn't order was on our invoice at check-out, etc. But overall the staff addressed these issues immediately and with a positive attitude.
Having said that, we recognised that the price for this lodge was lower than at other places we stayed, and some of the above reflected that. We noted that booking the morning excursion at the lodge directly (they told us c.£45 per person) were cheaper than booking via Expert Africa (£60 per person). Not a big amount in the grand scheme of things." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
Holiday styles & special interests in Namibia
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Namibia.
Other lodges in Namib-Naukluft National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Hoodia Desert Lodge
The owner-run Hoodia Desert Lodge offers a high standard of accommodation, delicious food and excellent service in a stunning, peaceful setting just 22km from Sesriem.
BullsPort Lodge & Farm
A traditional Namibian farm, BullsPort offers warm hospitality and a genuine rural experience, with excellent hiking and horseriding.
Sossus Dune Lodge
One of only two properties inside the Namib Naukluft Park, Sossus Dune Lodge has a superb location, for visiting the dunes.
Desert Homestead
With great-value accommodation in a lovely setting, Desert Homestead is a great base for exploring Sossusvlei.
Zebra River Lodge
Zebra River Lodge offers a range of hikes around the Tsaris Mountains from a comfortable and homely base.
Little Kulala
A high-end lodge with spectacular views, Little Kulala, makes a great base for visits to Sossusvlei or a balloon ride over the Desert.
Rostock Ritz
The igloo-style chalets at Rostock Ritz offer exceptional desert views and make a convenient stopover between Swakopmund & Sossusvlei.
Barkhan Dune Retreat
Barkhan Dune Retreat is a welcoming lodge close to the impressive Spreetshoogte Pass, majors on hiking and relaxation.
Sossusvlei Lodge
Sossusvlei Lodge is one of the larger options in this area. However, it occupies a convenient location next to the Sesriem gate into the Namib-Naukluft Park.
Namib Outpost
About 30km from the gate to Sossusveli, Namib Outpost is a great base for exploring the dunes and surrounding attractions.
Dead Valley Lodge
Dead Valley Lodge is inside the Namib-Naukluft National Park, affording guests almost unprecedented access to the dunes.
Desert Camp
Desert Camp is an economical option for independent travellers who want to self-cater, and is well situated for access to Sossusvlei.
Desert Quiver Camp
Desert Quiver Camp is an economical option self-catering, well located for access to Sossusvlei.
Elegant Desert Lodge
Elegant Desert Lodge can be used as a base to visit Sossusvlei. It offers comfortable accommodation and facilities in the desert.
Corona Guest Farm
In central Namibia, north-east of the Namib-Naukluft, Corona Guest Farm offers a traditional farm stay and rugged hiking.
Namib Desert Lodge
Namib Desert Lodge is a good budget option in the Namib-Naukluft although, it is further from Sossusvlei than we'd typically suggest.
Sonop
Away from the hustle and bustle of the area immediately surrounding Sossussvlei, Sonop offers a luxurious stay in a remote part of the Namib Desert.
Camp Sossus
Camp Sossus is a offers top notch guiding in a remote wilderness area of the Naukluft Mountains with easy access to the famous dunes of Sossusvlei.
Desert Hills Camp
Conveniently located for the renowned dunes of Sossusvlei Desert Hills Glamping Camp offers a simple but comfortable tents in picturesque surroundings.
Le Mirage Lodge
Le Mirage Resort and Spa offers accommodation and a range of massage and beauty treatments in a Moroccan-style building in the desert.
Desert Grace
A stylish offering giving access to the famous dunes in the Namib-Naukluft National Park as well as to activities on a private nature reserve.
The Nest
Designed to emulate the appearance of a sociable weaver nest the opulent Nest at Sossus is arguably the most exclusive private property in the Sossuvlei area.
