NAMIBIA - Kulala Wilderness Camp, Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei means 'the gathering place of water' in the local Nama language. In this dry, desert environment, it is hard to believe that good years bring seasonal rains which create vleis which form temporary lakes. These vleis have mysterious names such as Hidden Vlei and Dead Vlei. The dunes rise up to 300 meters above the valley floor, with razor-sharp edges that are a stark contrast to the blue skies – these are the features that make Sossusvlei one of Namibia's iconic and unique landmarks.

Sossusvlei is situated within the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world. Sossusvlei is part of the Namib Naukluft National Park that stretches almost 250 miles south of Walvis Bay and is sandwiched between the west coast and the escarpment that runs parallel more than 60 miles inland.

The dunes are also evocatively known as the Sand Sea. The dunes nearest the coast are most mobile and no vegetation grows on them, as they are constantly evolving. Rainfall at the coast can average dramatically less than 1.9 inches a year, and even further inland it measures a mere 1.9 inches - 3.9 inches annually.

Kulala Wilderness Camp lies on the lower slopes of a mountain in the 37,000 hectare private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, commanding panoramic views of the valley and mountains beyond.

ACCOMMODATION:

Accommodation at Kulala Wilderness Camp consists of 10 comfortable "kulalas" (meaning "to sleep" in Oshiwambo) with en-suite bathrooms and verandas built on elevated platforms to take full advantage of the spectacular views. The main area is also raised and comprises a lounge and bar under thatch. Meals are taken on the deck and guests enjoy cooling off in the sparkling pool.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE:

Activities at Kulala Wilderness Camp are focused on exploring the nearby world-famous Sossusvlei on guided drives or walks. These dunes - the most well-known being Big Daddy or Dune 45 - have developed over millions of years, the wind continuously refashioning the contours of this red sand sea.

From Kulala Wilderness Camp guests will see desert-adapted wildlife such as ostrich, springbok and gemsbok. Larger predators include spotted hyaena (occasionally guests may see the elusive brown hyaena, a shaggy-coated scavenger). Bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, porcupine, Cape fox and aardwolf can be seen at night in the cool desert air. Anchieta's dune lizard with its peculiar thermoregulatory dance and tenebrionid beetles have all adapted to life here. Night walks or drives may reveal dancing white lady spiders and perhaps Grant's golden mole, which is endemic to the Namib Desert. The endemic Dune Lark has its entire global distribution limited to this area.

Despite the lack of vegetation and low rainfall, a surprisingly diverse array of insects, reptiles and rodents make their home around Kulala Wilderness Camp - surviving in part because of the coastal fog that creeps up off the sea each dawn and penetrates up to 30 miles inland.

OTHER:

A rare option, at an extra cost, is early morning ballooning, beginning at first light. The balloon safari offers a unique experience – inviting guests to soar silently above the magnificent sand dunes and desert, with a champagne breakfast greeting the landing.