Tailor-made safaris and travel to Southern Africa
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Tailor-made safaris and travel to Southern Africa |
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SOSSUSVLEI WILDERNESS CAMPSossusvlei Wilderness Camp is situated on a 45,000 acre private reserve, a short distance from the Sossusvlei region of the Namib Naukluft National Park - one of the most remarkable sites in the Namib Desert.  Huge, towering dunes, said to be the highest in the world, rise dramatically over 1,200 feet above the surrounding plains at Sossusvlei itself. The myriad changing colors and the spectacle of lonely Oryx silhouetted against the towering red dunes are features that attract photographers and artists from around the world.  Perhaps the most spectacular sight of all, however, is the eerie and almost other-worldly 'Deadvlei' adjacent to Sossusvlei. It is a place where distance and perspective become warped, and time appears to lose all sense of purpose; in its tortured beauty it is a landscape that appears to have sprung directly from a Salvador Dali canvas. Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp itself is situated on a 45,000 acre property with wonderful desert scenery, and offers close access to Sossusvlei (via a private entrance) combined with exclusivity of private land. The property harbors vast desert plains and rugged mountains, with views onto the dunes in the distance. Activities center around guided early morning excursions in 4x4 vehicles to the magnificent Sossusvlei and Deadvlei dunes. Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp enjoys private access to the National Park, allowing guests early access to the dunes to observe the magical color change as the sun climbs in the sky. Breakfasts are served under the spreading camel-thorn acacias in Sossusvlei before returning to camp via the nearby Sesriem Canyon. Afternoon activities are enjoyed on the property - either guided nature drives or walks to take in the desert scenery and its unique fauna and flora. Guests also have the opportunity to enjoy spot-lit game-drives at night, offering insight into the desert's nocturnal creatures. Although the arid nature of the Namib precludes large quantities of game, what game does occur is interesting, and dramatized by the contrast between the desert and the magnificent animals such as gemsbok (Oryx), springbok, and ostriches that manage to survive and eke out a living here. 
Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp offers a wonderfully intimate and private desert experience. With only nine bungalows, exclusivity and a high level of personalized service is assured. Each unit is a self-contained haven with a private deck and plunge pool. Inside, the atmosphere is spacious, light and airy. There are retractable glass walls which can be folded away, breaking down the barriers between you and the desert in all its splendor. The furnishings are desert-adapted, minimalist and well-made, with features such as a chaise lounge crafted of polished teak and cane, wicker shelving and white cotton bedding.  The common area resembles the bungalows in style, also with expansive retractable glass walls, attractive comfortable furnishings and a large wooden deck. Nestled into the decking is a swimming pool with a breath-taking view over the dunes in front of camp. Dinnertime is a memorable experience at Sossusvlei - often enjoyed al fresco in the "dining room without walls" lit by lanterns, candles, and a sky so full of stars that the bushmen swear you can hear them twinkle. Ecotourism angle  Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp was established on degraded agricultural land, with the aim of rehabilitating this land, restoring it to its former wilderness state, and protecting the species of animals that occur naturally in the region. In this regard, it is very similar to the NamibRand Nature Reserve (which lies approximately 1 hour's drive to the south), albeit on a much smaller scale. Through its daily excursions into Sossusvlei, the Camp is also a major generator of revenue for the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The company that owns the camp, Wilderness Safaris, is one of the most highly regarded ecotourism operators in Southern Africa, and is involved in a variety of conservation projects throughout the region; most famously in Namibia, they are partners with the 'Riemvasmaker' community in the highly acclaimed Damaraland Camp project. A portion of all income is allocated to the 'Wilderness Safaris Wildlife Trust', which in turn funds a number of approved conservation projects across Southern Africa. To find out more about Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp, or to make a reservation, call toll-free in the USA at 1-888-227-8311 or email us. |
