How do you get to Sossusvlei?

Sossusvlei is easily accessible by road from Swakopmund or Windhoek. However, the best and quickest way to reach this remote part of Namibia is by light aircraft with Wilderness Air, where you will get to appreciate the true beauty of the desert from above.

Where is Sossusvlei located in Namibia?

Sossusvlei, famous for its towering sand dunes, is located in south-west Namibia, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, the largest conservation site in Namibia.

How do you pronounce Sossusvlei?

Sossusvlei is sometimes written Sossus Vlei and when trying to pronounce the word it is best broken down into two parts. While the Sossus part is easy for most people to pronounce, the vlei section is said with an f, essentially pronounced ‘flay’.

How was Sossusvlei formed?

A vlei is a small shallow pool or marsh. While now dry, the pools of the Sossusvlei area were formed when the Tsauchab River flooded many years ago. On rare occasions, during very heavy rains, water flows in the river, and settles on the desert landscape of Sossusvlei.

Namibia

Little Kulala

Namib Desert Retreat

You can’t get much closer to the renowned dunes of Sossusvlei and the evocative panoramas of Dead Vlei than Little Kulala.

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DESTINATIONS

Wilderness Little Kulala

Your desert dreams realised.

Peace and privacy can be found in all spaces at Wilderness Little Kulala. Sossusvlei entices with its adventures, its landscapes, its tranquility. An exclusive-use gate provides direct access to the renowned dunes of Sossusvlei and the evocative panoramas of Dead Vlei. Climb the 300-metre red dunes and gaze upon the famed Namib Sand Sea World Heritage Site. Float above the world’s oldest desert in a *hot-air balloon. See the desert come alive on nature walks and drives, e-bikes, or low-impact quad bikes.

*additional cost applies.

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A guest Wilderness Little Kulala fire pit

NAMIBIA

Guests from Wilderness Little Kulala hiking in the Namib desert

Little Kulala moments

Little Kulala’s décor echoes the local geology, reflecting the surrounding grey and pink limestone that makes this part of Namibia so special. Spot desert-adapted wildlife such as ostriches, springbok, gemsbok, black-backed jackals, bat-eared foxes, perhaps an aardwolf, or Namibia’s endemic dune lark. Stargaze in one of the darkest places on Earth, contemplating space, and your place in it. 

Guests from Little Kulala quad biking in the Namib Desert

Ostriches spotted whilst on a game drive from Wilderness Little Kulala

Little Kulala moments

Little Kulala’s décor echoes the local geology, reflecting the surrounding grey and pink limestone that makes this part of Namibia so special. Spot desert-adapted wildlife such as ostriches, springbok, gemsbok, black-backed jackals, bat-eared foxes, perhaps an aardwolf, or Namibia’s endemic dune lark. Stargaze in one of the darkest places on Earth, contemplating space, and your place in it. 

Accommodation

Recently refurbished, Little Kulala effortlessly embraces its Namib vistas. Your suite’s private pool is where we’re sure to find you enjoying lazy afternoons, while your rooftop invites private sundowners and suppers. A roll-out bed on your shaded deck is perfect for a siesta, or heavenly night’s sleep. 

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Cuisine

At Little Kulala our menus highlight indigenous produce. Sample Namibian dates, eembe fruit, venison, millet, and local beans. Have brunch in front of camp with your feet in the Namib sand. Indulge in a delicious oasis lunch in a dry river bed in the desert. Treat yourself to African tapas on your sala overlooking the red dunes. Retreat to the wine cellar for a romantic dinner for two.

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THE DETAILS

Wilderness Little Kulala

Totally solar-powered, the modern lines of this Namibian camp open out to the desert, making you forget where Little Kulula ends and the desert begins. Allow yourself to be totally immersed in the diverse landscapes, discovering a fascinating and exceptionally varied array of insects, reptiles, and wildlife along the way.

Purpose

Facilities

Wildlife

Area

Activities

Wilderness Little Kulala Sossusvlei Namibia Purpose

Restoring the wilderness

Little Kulala lies on 27,000 hectares of the pristine Kulala Wilderness Reserve. But this majestic desert landscape didn’t always look this way. Once upon a time, the farmland here was used for subsistence goat farming, with very little indigenous wildlife left. Some 30 years ago Wilderness pushed to protect the ancient landscape, returning the land to its former glorious natural state.

Family unit

A spacious family unit ensures complete privacy.

Plunge pool

Enjoy a private sundowner poolside at your own suite.

Sleep-out

Discover this place of wonder under a sky full of stars.

Spa

Every safari experience should include a little pampering.

Wi-Fi

Stay in touch with friends and family, and share your sightings.

Wilderness Little Kulala Sossusvlei Namibia Area

A photographer’s desert dream

In the south of Namibia’s ancient Namib Desert, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, salt and clay pans are surrounded by high dunes, stained red by their iron oxide coating. The geology intrigues. Surreal, as though Salvador Dali had a hand in its creation. The desert-adapted game that may appear – perhaps a herd of oryx running across the sands – seems like a mirage.

Purpose

Restoring the wilderness

Little Kulala lies on 27,000 hectares of the pristine Kulala Wilderness Reserve. But this majestic desert landscape didn’t always look this way. Once upon a time, the farmland here was used for subsistence goat farming, with very little indigenous wildlife left. Some 30 years ago Wilderness pushed to protect the ancient landscape, returning the land to its former glorious natural state.

Facilities

Family unit

A spacious family unit ensures complete privacy.

Plunge pool

Enjoy a private sundowner poolside at your own suite.

Sleep-out

Discover this place of wonder under a sky full of stars.

Spa

Every safari experience should include a little pampering.

Wi-Fi

Stay in touch with friends and family, and share your sightings.

Wildlife

Area

A photographer’s desert dream

In the south of Namibia’s ancient Namib Desert, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, salt and clay pans are surrounded by high dunes, stained red by their iron oxide coating. The geology intrigues. Surreal, as though Salvador Dali had a hand in its creation. The desert-adapted game that may appear – perhaps a herd of oryx running across the sands – seems like a mirage.

Activities

EXPERIENCES

Little Kulala experiences

Hike through Sesriem Canyon with a breathtaking perspective on the gorge formed aeons ago. Take in the majestic landscapes while riding an electric-powered fatbike. After dark, discover another realm of the Namib. Walks reveal captivating creatures, such as scorpions aglow under UV light, or learn about the incredible formations of the stars and planets under the clear night sky.

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Nature drives

Get close to rare wildlife, explore otherworldly landscapes and immerse yourself in uncharted territory on a nature drive.

Nature Drives

Namibia

Wilderness Experiences Natural Wonders Victoria Falls

Safari wonders & attractions

There’s something epic awaiting at every one of our destinations. Discover Africa’s top attractions when you safari with us.

Safari wonders & attractions

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda

Wilderness Experiences Fat Bike Namibia Little Kulala

Wilderness e-bike

Is there any better way to explore the vast Sand Sea of the Namib Desert, than on an electric bike?

Desert e-biking

Namibia

Birding

Birding with a knowledgeable Wilderness guide is spectacular across all our regions, with 930 different species for twitchers to tick.

Birding

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Stargazing

Lie on a blanket, behold the beauty of your surrounds, and contemplate space and your place in it when you go stargazing.

Stargazing

Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

MAP

Explore camps in Sossusvlei

Home ground at Little Kulala is the vast Kulala Wilderness Reserve in the Namib, aka ‘The Living Desert’. Sossusvlei’s meaning - dead-end marsh - in a combination of Nama and Afrikaans, provides a hint of what you can expect to see here. An exclusive-use gate provides direct access to Sossusvlei, just one of many wondrous experiences on offer.  

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Little Kulala

Standard Season

From USD 800 per person, per night

Premium Season

From USD 1,270 per person, per night

TRAVEL WITH US

Journey with Wilderness

Africa’s ever-changing landscapes bring shifts in wildlife through the seasons. You could embark on our safari activities multiple times, and each time have a unique experience in the wild. From the desert dreams of Namibia to the wonderful waterscapes of the Okavango, let us take you wherever your heart desires.

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LITTLE KULALA AWARDS

Camp awards

Little Kulala is a beacon of conservation tourism. Over decades of operation, its success has paved the way for many sustainable safaris to follow suit. The hard work of our teams on the ground and the communities we work alongside have been recognised through numerous awards. And we couldn’t be prouder.

Tripadvisor

Certificate of Excellence 2019

Style Junkies Award

Travel+Leisure Award

GUEST EXPERIENCES

Testimonials from fellow safari-goers

With an excellent 4.7 star rating from 342 reviews, guests consistently praise Little Kulala's exceptional wildlife viewing, dedicated guides, and luxurious accommodations. Read what fellow safari-goers have to say about their unforgettable experiences at Wilderness Little Kulala.Read more reviews on TripAdvisor.

Unforgettable Stay with Exceptional Service!

"Our stay at Little Kulala was truly special! The staff’s attention to detail was outstanding—they remembered our names, drink preferences, and every little touch that made us feel at home. With stunning desert views, luxurious accommodation, and seamless service, everything was perfect. James and his team should be proud! A special shoutout to our guide Simon, whose fitness up Big Daddy dune and impressive photography skills made our experience even better. We will never forget those scented, cold towels after our dusty climb..... stroke of genius! A must-visit for those seeking world-class hospitality in the heart of Sossusvlei!"

Louise N

★★★★★

Sleeping under the stars

"Sossusvlei is the big attraction near this camp. But the landscape is also amazing and the staff here was so friendly and inviting. The manager James made every effort to make sure we were comfortable. Penny, Jesica and Brantina (fabulous body scrub and massage) worked hard to make our stay special. The room had an outdoor bed, made cozy with hot water bottles (bush babies), for sleeping under the stars. Our guide, Gabriel, took us to Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei, and for a "sundowner" with an absolutely stunning view. And some mountain zebras thrown in for good measure."

Mamadr1 | USA

★★★★★

Wonderful stay!

"Atizari was the assistant manager. The staff was very pleasant, the stay very comfortable, and food was delicious. We enjoyed immensely the wonderful singing and dancing the staff performed during dinner! Guide: Rechie was our guide during our time in Sossusvlei. He was very, very pleasant, patient, and accommodating. We visited the amazing sand dunes, Deadvlei, a canyon, and saw beautiful landscapes throughout the region. Namibia has the most bluest and cloudless skies we’ve ever seen in the world!!! We also loved the sundowners! Thank you, Rechie, for adding to our wonderful memories of your country!"

Sharon B | USA

★★★★★

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FAQs

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JOURNAL

Little Kulala featured stories

Many who visit Wilderness Little Kulala think twice about sharing their adventures, content to keep this special piece of Africa to themselves. We think Little Kulala’s majestic beauty and abundant wildlife experiences are simply too good not to share. Here are a few stories.

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