Sossusvlei Desert Lodge: Information from the owner

Star Dune suite

Creating an ideal family environment, or an ideal option for groups of friends, the Star Dune Suite consists of two suites linked by a covered walkway, with a private lounge and dining space. The combined amenities of this extended accommodation provide the perfect space for one and all to enjoy. For those family groups, our &Beyond guides and lodge team will provide a host of fun and interactive children’s activities.

Suite(s)

Designed to capture the splendor and solitude of the desert, just ten stone and glass suites spread out along the curve of the escarpment, allowing absolute privacy. Each air conditioned glass-fronted suite is designed to complement the expansive views of the different habitats, perfectly framed from the spacious internal areas. Featuring a private veranda, bedroom with retractable skylights for in-bed star-gazing, a living room with a fireplace, an ensuite bathroom with a glass-encased rain shower offering 180º views, and a perfectly-positioned private plunge pool for some sublime respite after a long day in the desert heat.

All suites include star-viewing skylights, discrete music systems and customised personal bars. One of the most innovative features of the accommodation design is the way in which the extremes of the natural environment are harnessed to create energy and recycle waste water. Each suite is like its own solar power plant, producing enough energy to not only power the air conditioning, and all the super-comforts of a luxury lodge, but also the water treatment and recycling systems.

Private Vehicle

With a dedicated guide and a private vehicle, guests have the luxury of tailoring their own desert experience, choosing their own drive times, and spending as much time as they want exploring the desert.

Available at an additional cost.

Big Dune Walk

Enjoy this exclusive experience at &Beyond Sossusvlei Private Desert Reserve, the only private reserve featuring the iconic star dunes of Namibia. Take the time to appreciate your surrounds and tuck into a delicious picnic breakfast.

Desert Drive

Be mesmerised by the magnificence of the desert on morning or late afternoon desert drives that continue after nightfall. Explore four different habitat types and ecosystems. Learn about fairy circles, how deserts are formed and function, and how animals have adapted to this desolate environment.

Desert People

Step back in time and bring to life the history of the area and its people. Follow your expert guide into the untamed Namib Desert scattered with San rock art. Explore heritage sites and gain insight into the San people.

Desert Rock

Explore the unique landscape on this fascinating geological excursion, in a vehicle and on foot. View the varied topography, exposed due to the upliftment events after the continent of Gondwana split into Africa and South America. Observe young geology ‘in action’ as the dunes shape this awe-inspiring landscape.

E-biking

Traverse the stark beauty and vast expanse on an e-bike. Easy to ride and super fun, these nifty bicycles are fitted with a battery-powered ‘assist’ that gives a boost via a throttle when pedalling. There are two different options, an 11km (6.8mi) or a 19km (11.8mi) route.

Healing Earth Wellness Treatments

Indulge in one of our many relaxing treatments for a truly authentic African spa experience that rejuvenates the mind, body and soul. Our treatments promise to leave you feeling in harmony with the tranquillity of the surrounds.

Available at an additional cost.

Hiking

Explore the lodge surrounds on foot, take the time to sit in the stillness and be enchanted by the views. There are two defined hiking trails, a 2.2km (1.4mi) or a 3.4km (2.1mi) route waiting to be explored.

Hot Air Ballooning

Gain a bird’s eye perspective over the spectacular scenery surrounding the lodge, in the company of other guests. The balloons are unable to fly over the Namib sand dunes; however, you will still be treated to awe-inspiring views.

Available at an additional cost.

Living Dunes

Set out to the dunes on our reserve, where the story of the deserts ecology is written in the sand. Explore the dunes on foot or by quad bike with a specialist guide who’ll uncover the secrets of the dunes.

Scenic Dunes Flight

Take off from near &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge and soar over the vast expanse of the desert for a 45 min helicopter flight. Hover over jagged mountain tops that emerge from the shifting Namib dunes flying over a landscape that has remained unchanged for millions of years.

Available at an additional cost.

Scenic Helicopter Flight | Namib Dune Photographic Flight

Avid photographers will enjoy this 90 min photographic flight showcasing the best of the Namib Desert. This flight extends to the ocean, where the red dune belt drops 152m (500ft) into the sea. Observe a seal colony at Black Rock and fly with doors off allowing you to capture red dunes, resident desert-adapted wildlife, rocky mountains and sandy plains. This experience includes a stopover in the dunes to enjoy a glass of champagne.

Available at an additional cost.

Scenic Helicopter Flight | Scenic Coastal Flight

Experience the desert from above on a 2.5 hour helicopter flight. Fly over the Devil’s Fork dune formation and soar past the gnarled, twisted trees of Deadvlei. Continue until you hit the coast where the dunes fringe the sea, turn north from Meob Bay and follow the shoreline towards the Eduard Bohlen shipwreck. Enjoy a champagne stop and head home with views of Witberg Mountain.

Available at an additional cost.

Scenic Helicopter Flight | Scenic Desert Flight

Take off from nearby the lodge and soar over the vast expanse of the desert for an approximately 60 min helicopter flight. Hover over jagged mountain tops that emerge from the iconic Namib dunes, white mineral pans, rocky outcrops and unique fauna and flora. Be captivated as you fly over a landscape that has remained unchanged for millions of years.

Available at an additional cost.

Sossusvlei Excursion

This half-day morning adventure takes you into the Namib Naukluft National Park. Learn about the ecosystem, Aeolian geological processes, walk to Deadvlei, perhaps climb a sand dune, and for the fit and adventurous, conquer the towering ‘Big Daddy’.

Stargazing

Sossusvlei neighbours Africa’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, which has also been awarded Gold Tier status, declaring it an environment with little to no impact from artificial light. Get a closer look at the night sky from our sophisticated observatory and state-of-the-art telescope.

WILDChild programme

andBeyond’s WILDChild programme, designed especially for children visiting our safari lodges and camps in Africa, is filled with fun, interactive activities that offer opportunities to learn and discover new experiences and cultures. Deeply rooted in the love for the African bush, it not only creates a series of unforgettable moments for the whole family but forges strong bonds between our young guests, our planet and its people.