Our trip to Sossusvlei was the highlight of our trip. It is a gem located in the western central part of Namibia. Below I have listed a link which gives some details about the area. It is fascinating! It is a place of stark beauty: sand dunes, canyons, and vast arid stretches deep in the Namib Desert. The sand dunes in Sossusvlei are some of the highest in the world.
One of the most special parts of our stay in Namibia was our stay at the Kulala Lodge. Its proximity to the park entrance makes it perfectly situated to enjoy the area. It is a very warm and special place. The lodge sits along a river bed, and blends beautifully into the surrounding landscape. It consists of a main building--dining area, bar and pool, surrounded by individual guest accommodations. Everything about the lodge is impeccable, from the rooms, to the service, to the food, to the tours! The rooms are sumptuous. The rooms have thatched roofs with large balconies perfect for sleeping under the stars if desired. The service is amazing. Every morning, the staff comes to gently wake you and summon you to breakfast. After breakfast, the staff sees guests off to trips to see the countryside or makes sure they are comfortable just lounging and relaxing for the day. After dinner, the staff serenades guests with lively local, traditional music and dance. The Namibian nights are very dark, and as a result the stars are very bright and dense.
Kulala lodge is an excellent jumping off point for exploration of Sossusvlei. Sesreim Canyon is a long, thin, deep canyon cut into the desert, filled with water during the rainy season. A lot of local lore surrounds the origins of the canyon's name--which is detailed on the website below. It is beautiful to behold. We decided to take the tour to Dune 45 and Dead Vlei. Dune 45 is so named because it is 45 miles from the park entrance. We arrived at the dune at sunrise, and took a short 20 minutes of so to trek up to the top. At sunrise and sunset, Sossusveli is striking. The deep red and orange hues of the dunes and surrounding desert, the starkness and vastness of the Namib desert are absolutely breathtaking! Dead Vlei is a group of trees that died after being cut off from water from the movement of the dunes. The vlei is reached after a short walk from the road. The trees look so lonely, stark and desolate.
One of the most special parts of our stay in Namibia was our stay at the Kulala Lodge. Its proximity to the park entrance makes it perfectly situated to enjoy the area. It is a very warm and special place. The lodge sits along a river bed, and blends beautifully into the surrounding landscape. It consists of a main building--dining area, bar and pool, surrounded by individual guest accommodations. Everything about the lodge is impeccable, from the rooms, to the service, to the food, to the tours! The rooms are sumptuous. The rooms have thatched roofs with large balconies perfect for sleeping under the stars if desired. The service is amazing. Every morning, the staff comes to gently wake you and summon you to breakfast. After breakfast, the staff sees guests off to trips to see the countryside or makes sure they are comfortable just lounging and relaxing for the day. After dinner, the staff serenades guests with lively local, traditional music and dance. The Namibian nights are very dark, and as a result the stars are very bright and dense.
Kulala lodge is an excellent jumping off point for exploration of Sossusvlei. Sesreim Canyon is a long, thin, deep canyon cut into the desert, filled with water during the rainy season. A lot of local lore surrounds the origins of the canyon's name--which is detailed on the website below. It is beautiful to behold. We decided to take the tour to Dune 45 and Dead Vlei. Dune 45 is so named because it is 45 miles from the park entrance. We arrived at the dune at sunrise, and took a short 20 minutes of so to trek up to the top. At sunrise and sunset, Sossusveli is striking. The deep red and orange hues of the dunes and surrounding desert, the starkness and vastness of the Namib desert are absolutely breathtaking! Dead Vlei is a group of trees that died after being cut off from water from the movement of the dunes. The vlei is reached after a short walk from the road. The trees look so lonely, stark and desolate.
Janice shows off her technique.
Running down Dune 45!
Look, I can run sideways!
Sunrise at the top of Dune 45 in Sossusvlei, Namibia.
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