&Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge (Namibia)

Wednesday newsletters all the time characteristic a lodge or flight evaluate.

Final November, I loved a superb vacation in Namibia. You may learn my journey experiences right here:

Right now: Evaluate of &Past Sossusvlei Desert Lodge (Namibia)

Nestled deep within the coronary heart of Namibia’s historic Namib Desert, &Past Sossusvlei Desert Lodge – one of the crucial wonderful accommodations I’ve ever stayed at – is a secluded and serene ultra-luxury retreat that overlooks considered one of Africa’s most compelling landscapes. On this spectacularly lovely location, 10 spacious suites envelope visitors in pure indulgence, full with personal pool, an out of doors bathe and a dramatic skylight over the mattress for late night time star-gazing. If you happen to’re up for one thing extra lively, quad biking adventures, hikes, walks and excursions to the world-famous Sossusvlei website will allow you to discover the encircling surroundings and fulfill your sense of journey.

&Past Sossusvlei Desert Lodge options in my high 10 checklist of the very best accommodations in Namibia.

Have you ever ever stayed at &Past Sossusvlei Desert Lodge? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.

On this evaluate (extra data and pictures beneath my Youtube clip & slideshow):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

&Past Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is located inside a non-public 12,715 hectare (31,419 acre) reserve deep within the Namib, the world’s oldest desert (protecting an space the dimensions of Germany). Set amidst an ocean of towering sand dunes, rocky outcrops and gravel plains, the utter tranquility of the panorama and extraordinary readability of sunshine make the Namib one of many planet’s most spectacular and untouched wilderness locations. Additionally it is one of many least populated areas on earth, inviting its guests to expertise an intense feeling of vastness and isolation. Nearly all sides of the Namib are represented within the space the place the &Past lodge is situated, making a spectacular mix of colours and shapes that make it a visible feast for vacationers, artists and photographers.

In 2019, &Past reopened the Sossusvlei Desert Lodge – its sole property in Namibia – following an intensive nine-month, $3 million USD renovation. Designed by South African–based mostly Fox Browne Artistic, in partnership with Architect Jack Alexander, the brand new lodge is comprised of 1 central pavilion an 10 stand-alone villas. Only one wall stays from the unique foremost lodge, whereas the villas had been gutted however retain their former footprint. The fabulous design places an emphasis on the surreal desert panorama during which the lodge is ready. Drawn as a collection of geometric traces within the sand, the lodge’s pavilions characteristic an natural structure that blends nicely into the sweeping curves and pure shapes of the encircling hills and sand dunes. The creamy shade palette of the interiors distinction delightfully with the brilliant colours of the enduring desert panorama.

The foremost pavilion – which homes the communal visitor areas – is an impressed, two-story masterpiece of structure, coated by a outstanding rusted geometric metal roof formed as sails. The decrease stage incorporates a eating space (with walk-in wine cellar) on one aspect and a number of other sitting areas on the opposite aspect in addition to a store showcasing Namibia’s best craft choices, Giant glass panels fold away on three sides to disclose unobstructed desert vistas so far as the attention can see. Within the center, there’s an island bar and a telescope for zooming in on the wildlife that drink from the waterhole in entrance of the pavilion ‘s rim-flow pool. The pavilion’s higher flooring homes a model new fitness center and spa space (with one couple’s therapy room) for some enjoyable pampering following a busy and lively day within the Namib desert.

The lodge’s 11 superbly appointed villas are unfold out alongside the curve of the escarpment. Every suite has a glass wall with sliding doorways that open to a secluded, shaded veranda full with a big personal pool. Above the mattress, there’s a skylight for middle-of-the-night stargazing. The ensuite toilet is provided with a glass-encased rain bathe in addition to an out of doors bathe, each providing 180° desert views. Different suite options embrace a front room with a hearth, Swarovski binoculars to look at the passing wildlife, and a totally stocked bar (full of Namibian gins, South African rums, Amarula, wines, and extra). Throughout my go to, I used to be upgraded to the Star Dune Suite, which consists of two ensuite bedrooms linked by a communal visitor space, full with personal lounge and eating space (designed with households in thoughts).

The cooks at &Past Sossusvlei Desert Lodge put together scrumptious meals (all meals & drinks are included within the room fee). Breakfast is served after the morning exercise and consists of yogurt, cereals, croissants and fruit salad along with made-to-order scorching dishes (together with eggs Benedict). Lunch choices embrace gentle bites similar to pan seared pork chops, roasted beetroot & cranberry salad, and chilled summer time pea soup. Dinner menu options dishes similar to coconut ginger kingclip & prawn curry, and Namibian rack of lamb. The interactive kitchen design enable for visitors to create their very own dishes and menu ought to they want to. A spread of singular inside and exterior eating areas ensures visitors by no means dine in the identical place twice. A high-quality collection of wines from a formidable walk-in wine cellar enhances the lodge’s chic meals.

The collection of adventures obtainable ranges far past the usual excursions and contains a lot of alternatives for visitors to immerse themselves within the splendor and thriller of the Namib Desert. You may set out on foot or by quad bike to take pleasure in a close-up expertise of the residing desert surrounding the lodge outdoors the confines of a automobile. You may select to spend time attending to grips with the distinctive ecology or to step again in time and go to San rock artwork websites to seek out out extra concerning the space’s historical past and other people. Fascinating geological excursions showcase the 4 completely different habitat varieties close to the lodge, paying specific consideration to historic rock formations. Desert drives that proceed after dusk reveal an array of bizarre desert-adapted fauna and flora that thrives within the space whereas marveling within the stark desert surroundings.

The spotlight of a keep on the lodge is the tour to the world-famous Sossusvlei space (included within the room fee). This half day journey into the Namib Naukluft Nationwide Park takes you down an open valley between towering crimson dunes. Absorb and {photograph} the hanging scenic beautify of the world as you drive in, greatest seen when the sunshine continues to be throwing shadows off the ridges of the dunes. At Dune 45, a cease might be made to view the world’s most photographed dune. Your information will chat about how the ecosystem and attention-grabbing Aeolian geological processes had been fashioned in addition to about life on this formidable setting. There might be an opportunity to climb Large Daddy, which at 1,066ft is the tallest dune within the space, and to stroll to Deadvlei, the place some 70 camel thorn tree trunks, 900 years lifeless, stay standing on a bleached clay pan.

Generally known as “The Dwelling Desert”, the spectacular dunes of the Namib abound with intruiging desert-adapted wildlife, similar to beetles, spiders, lizards, gerbils, golden moles and different creatures, all leaving their telltale tracks within the high-quality sand. The plains and dry watercourses of the Namib Desert are house to oryx, springbok, Burchell’s zebra, kudu, ostrich and giraffe. Predators embrace leopard, noticed hyena, black-backed jackal, Cape and bat-eared foxes, termite-eating aardwolf and African wildcat. For avid bird-watchers, over 100 species of birds habitat this area. Throughout a keep at &Past Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, visitors would possibly spot a number of of those animal species. For instance, oryx, springbok, ostriches, and jackals go to the synthetic watering gap in entrance of the central pavilion every day.

The night time skies at &Past Sossusvlei Personal Desert are heavenly, with the concession bordering the Worldwide Darkish Sky Reserve of the NamibRand Nature Reserve (Africa’s first and solely Worldwide Darkish Sky Reserve). The exploration of the Namib Desert’s extremely clear night time skies are a spotlight for any customer on the lodge, which incorporates a state-of-the-art observatory with a Celestron CPC 1100 GPS (XLT) computerized telescope. With nearly no influence from synthetic gentle and on the very best darkish skies on the planet, visitors can uncover the constellations of the southern sky underneath the steerage of a resident astronomer. Phenomenal stargazing is assured, nearly each night time. Tip: for the very best stargazing, attempt to keep away from a keep throughout a full moon, when the flashlight-bright moon reduces the variety of seen stars.

Sustainability and visitor consolation go hand in hand at &Past Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, with refined, environment-friendly design options supporting uncompromised luxurious in a local weather of extremes. Listed below are some examples
- The roofs of the villas are clad in PV panels permitting the buildings to harness the tough pure setting (the place temperatures typically attain over 50 levels Celsius or 120 levels Fahrenheit) and use the solar to create sufficient vitality to make sure the lodge is solely self-sustained. The electrical energy generated is then used to energy a collection of environmentally responsive air-conditioning and water recycling programs to make sure the lodge positively impacts the setting from which its design was derived.
- By bottling water on website and utilizing recycled glass bottles, andBeyond Sossusvlei saves a big quantity of carbon dioxide per thirty days, absorbing the carbon footprint of the plastic water supply truck. At 100% occupancy, the lodge would have consumed hundreds of plastic water bottles per thirty days.

The Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is managed by &Past, considered one of world’s most unique journey corporations. Established in 1991, &Past strives to make the world a greater and greener place by combining conservation efforts with sustainable tourism. The corporate has established an intimate relationship with among the world’s final remaining unspoiled pure locations and the communities that encompass them. Together with highly-skilled guides and rangers, this enables &Past to ship extraordinary visitor experiences that really feel profoundly significant. As of as we speak, &Past owns and operates 29 extraordinary lodges and camps in iconic safari, scenic and island locations in Africa and South America, enabling the corporate to positively influence greater than 9 million acres of wildlife land and 2000 km (1200 mi) of shoreline.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

The water within the suite’s personal swimming pools or the shared bigger pool by the principle lodge is stored at a chilly temperature to gradual evaporation within the robust solar. Whereas this can be a blissing through the scorching summer time months, taking a dip within the cooler winter months may be a problem.

WiFi is out there at &Past Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, however solely contained in the suites. The WiFi sign is just not very robust, simply sufficient to ship texts and make amends for emails (however that’s the case in all remotely situated accommodations in Namibia). The lodge select to not supply WiFi within the public areas of the principle constructing, in order that visitors can detox in tranquility and concentrate on leisure and interplay with different visitors as an alternative of relying on the web.

Just like most lodges in Namibia, &Past Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is not fenced off, so visitors are required to be vigilant always. Leopards, snakes and scorpions are current within the Namib Desert, and there’s no bodily obstacle to them coming into the world across the lodge. It’s endorsed that visitors use a torch when strolling across the lodge at night time.

Attending to and from the lodge would possibly require an extended drive on gravel roads, relying on the place you come from: Swakopmund is 400 km (248 miles) from the lodge, whereas Namibia’s capital Windhoek is 380 km (236 miles) away. Due to the lengthy drive concerned, I like to recommend to remain at the very least 3 nights, so that you’ve got a minimal of two full days on the lodge itself. If you happen to don’t need to fly, you may as well attain the property by scheduled day by day constitution flight to its personal airstrip (which is simply 5 minutes from the lodge).

MY VERDICT

Location: 10/10
Design: 10/10
Pool: 10/10
Rooms: 10/10
Meals: 10/10
Breakfast: 10/10
Spa: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Worth for cash: 10/10
Total expertise: distinctive 10/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Lower your expenses: learn right here my suggestions for getting the very best deal at a luxurious lodge like &Past Sossusvlei Desert Lodge (and/or obtain many free perks).

Learn my suggestions for getting ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The most effective time to go to Namibia is from July to October, when the temperatures are comfortably heat through the day and the possibility of rain is low. That is additionally the very best time for outside actions and wildlife viewing, making it peak journey season. Between December and March, some days might be humid and rain could comply with, typically in localized, afternoon thunderstorms.

HOW TO GET THERE

&Past Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is situated on the NamibRand Nature Reserve, and may be accessed alongside the C27, roughly half-hour south of Sesriem, both coming from Swakopmund (400 km or 248 miles) or from Windhoek, (380ckm or 236 mi). Please observe that the highway floor right here may be fairly poor, and 4WD automotive is advisable, particularly within the wet season (November to Could). You may as well fly in, and it’s a 90 min flight from Hosea Kutako Worldwide Airport in Windhoek to Sossusvlei Desert Lodge’s personal airstrip.