&Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

The breathtaking Sossusvlei dunes are among the highest in the world, reaching 230 metres. Shaped by wind, always in flux, they form a backdrop of magnificent hues of orange, sienna, and ochre to the stone and glass of the &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge villas.

One of the oldest, driest, and most pristine areas on Earth, the Namib Desert—in Namibia—is a world of fantastic rock formations, massive sand dunes, and endless horizons. At its heart lies a dry clay pan called Sossusvlei—a place both dramatic and serene, and home to a lodge designed to capture the solitary splendour of the desert location.

Colours of the desert

The lodge design reflects its surroundings, with the natural look executed using rough timberwork and elements of bone, stone, and slate.

Wooden sculptures and twiggy chandeliers bring to mind rugged mountains. Creams and greys of the interiors contrast delightfully with the dusky pink colours of the desert landscapes—creating a dramatic and sophisticated appearance.

Only ten villas

Spread out along the curve of the escarpment, each of the lodge’s split-level villas comes with sleek interiors, massive windows looking onto the vast plains, and a stargazing window above the bedroom.

This design gives plenty of opportunities for some magnificent star and game viewing: each villa is equipped with a compact telescope (though there is also a state-of-the-art planetarium with resident astronomers!)

The villas also have a living room with a fireplace, wraparound verandas an ensuite glass-encased bathroom, and an outdoor shower.

The desert location does not mean the lodge lacks any luxuries. There is a swimming pool, to which water is supplied from an underground spring, and a large walk-in wine cellar provides another kind of refreshment.

The animal kingdom

The Namib Desert is hardly devoid of life. These arid plains and dry watercourses are home to an array of desert-adapted animals.

There are oryxes, aardwolfs, springboks, the rare Burchell’s zebras, kudu, ostriches, and giraffes. All attract many predators, including leopards, jackals, foxes, spotted hyenas, and African wildcats.

At sunset, a nearby waterhole attracts animals—and the sundowners become another opportunity for game spotting.

The wildlife, the endless space, the utter tranquillity, and the extraordinary light make this region a perfect setting for the unique and exclusive Desert Lodge.

in our opinion

Surrounded by the vastness of the Namib Desert, the dramatic landscapes set the stage to an experience of pure indulgence and luxury.

The lodge is great for whole families, but especially for honeymoon couples.

*This review contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.

What we love

• Tranquil, beautiful location in the unspoiled wilderness of the NamibRand Nature Reserve near Sossusvlei dunes;
• Honeymoon couples can count on treatment of special turndowns, private dinners in their villa or the wine cellar and romantic sunset drinks in the desert;
• The lodge provides a diverse programme for children, including exploration of Bushman culture;
• This area of the Namib Desert, being a private reserve, is exclusive to the guests of the Lodge;
• With a fine telescope and resident astronomers, the Lodge is one of Namibia's finest private observatories;
• Guided excursions to some of the world’s highest dunes at Sossusvlei and the dramatic landscape of Dead Vlei.

What you should know

• Excursions to Sossusvlei are available at additional cost, there is also possibility of an early morning hot air ballooning over the desert (also charged extra);
• This remote place is best accessed by a scheduled daily charter flight to the private airstrip (which is just six minutes from the Lodge). Another option is by car (the gravel roads are pretty decent)—from Swakopmund, which is 400km (248 miles) from the lodge, or from Windhoek, 380km (236 miles);
• From November to May (rainy season) it is better to hire a 4x4 vehicle;
• Safety: the lodge is not fenced off, so guests are required to be extremely vigilant at all times. The Lodge rules forbid guests to walk around the lodge at night without a company of a security guard.