Location:
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Namib Rand Nature
Reserve, one of Southern Africa's largest private concession areas, is situated on the
edge of the Namib Desert, close to Sossusvlei.
Extending for more than180,000 hectares,
the reserve shares a common border of some 120 kilometers with the Namib
Naukluft Park in
the West, and is protected by the Namib Mountain Range in the East. |
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| Accommodation:
The Wolwedans Collection consists of the
elaborate Wolwedans Dunes Lodge, the more rustic Dune Camp and the Wolwedans
Private Camp.
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Wolwedans Dunes Lodge
The Dunes Lodge aims at
providing a unique experience close to nature, yet without
compromising comfort and style. The entire lodge is constructed on
wooden platforms and overlooks panoramic vistas in all directions,
capturing the desert in an intimate and memorable way. The building
style is a combination of wooden poles and large canvas blinds/windows
that open up to the desert beyond. The lodge reflects the ambience of
a tented camp, but provides the comfort and protection of a permanent
building. Each of the eight spacious Chalets with en-suite bathrooms
leads onto a private veranda and stretches of untouched sand. Careful
selection of furniture, light coloured linen as well as the selection
of accessories give the Dunes Lodge a distinct natural charm. The 9th
Chalet - the family room - consist of 2 separate bedrooms and one
bathroom.
The main complex of Dunes Lodge - also built on stilts - consists of a
bar and lounge, sundowner decks with a fireplace and a spacious dining
room. All communal areas open out onto a veranda with a superb view of
the surroundings. Three Chalets are directly accessible from the main
complex by wooden walkways and thus easily accessible for elderly and
handicapped guests. |
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The Mountain
View Suite
The Mountain View Suite
is a new addition to the Dunes Lodge. Just over 200 square meters of
deck rising above the dunes provides ample living space and adds a
touch of luxury to the Wolwedans Collection. Located within walking
distance from the Wolwedans Dunes Lodge, yet secluded, and nestled
amidst a magnificent dunes landscape, The Suite allows friends of
Wolwedans to spend more than two nights in a homely and stylish
atmosphere with ample space, maximum comfort and a high degree of
privacy. The Suite consists of a spacious bedroom with a king-size
double bed allowing guests to enjoy the view of their private dune
valley to the fullest. There is a en-suite bathroom facility with two
wash basins, a shower and toilet. A shaded patio, provides an ideal
venue for out-door meals and relaxed hours in the shade floating about
in a hammock. Add to this a spacious lounge, bar and dining area and
you have a wonderful home away from home. In the event that guests
wish to enjoy meals ‘entre-nous’, an open plan kitchenette supports
the preparation of meals at the suite. An east-facing veranda and
sun-deck lead from the platform into the surrounding dunes.
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A special attraction is the
‘star-gazing’ bed incorporated into the main veranda, providing a
wonderful sleep-out venue during summer. Keeping in line with the
traditional Wolwedans style the ambience is that of plain elegance
embraced by a natural, comfortable charm. The Suite is furnished with
colonial/safari style furniture and a well balanced variety of decorative
items. The Suite can be regarded as very elegant, yet allowing for a
casual, relaxed and unpretentious life-style.
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Wolwedans Dune Camp
Located on the very
edge of a 250-meter high dune, the Dune Camp overlooks the prominent
Losberg Mountain towards the east. Heading west, the Chateau viewpoint
- one of the reserves' most enchanting panoramas - can be reached by
foot in less than five minutes. A sundowner in the dunes, facing the
sun as it sets over the Bushman Hills, is an experience to share with
someone close. The Camp sleeps a maximum of 12 guests in a totally
unspoilt setting. Guests stay in comfortable tents pitched on wooden
platforms and these are furnished with standard beds, bedside tables
and a suitcase rack. Each tent has a spacious verandah and a private
bathroom fitted with a hot shower, washbasin and flush toilet. Meals
are enjoyed at the central lapa. The lounge, dining area and an
open-plan kitchen, which allows guests to chat to their chef while he
is preparing a three-course dinner, guarantee a cosy ambience.
A sundowner deck with fireplace provides a relaxed atmosphere for
brilliant star-gazing. Whilst the lodge aims at accommodating those
guests in need of relaxed comfort, the camp is a more down-to-earth
and close to nature experience. Ideally suited for the younger and
more adventurous traveller, the charm of the camp lies in its tranquil
and intimate atmosphere, capturing the romance of a bygone era. |
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Wolwedans
Private Camp
Situated in the quiet
seclusion of an idyllic valley, the Private Camp - catering for four
guests, is the perfect getaway for honeymooners or individuals seeking
uncompromising privacy and solitude. The idea of the Private Camp is
to get away for a day or two - not doing much except relaxing and
spending quality time with a partner. Guided activities are not part
of the package and the emphasis is on pure relaxation. Browsing
through the library, taking walks in the plains and preparing your own
meals (all food and beverages are supplied, you cook and serve 'entre
nous') will keep you fully occupied. It is recommended that guests who
have not stayed at Wolwedans prior, book the Private Camp in
combination with a night at the Lodge or Dune Camp, joining some of
the activities before seeking total seclusion. The Private Camp suite
comprises two spacious bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, a veranda and
the lounge, combining a study, a living-room arrangement, a dining
area and a fully equipped open plan kitchen. The building style is a
combination of wood and canvas, and the carefully selected furnishings
bring alive the true romance of Africa. The Private Camp requires a
minimum stay of two nights and is only available from 15 December to
15 March. The camp can also be booked with all services and activities
included, for example a private chef and your personal field guide. |
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Activities/ Game
Viewing:
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The particular attraction of the Namibrand is the diversity of the different
landscapes. Virtually all facets of the Namib are represented here. Expansive sand and
gravel plains interspersed by vast stretches of golden grass savannah alternate with
majestic mountain ranges.
Encroaching from the west are tongues of dunes, their
colors ranging from yellow-gold and ochre to rose, russet, maroon and deep brick-red,
paling and deepening as the day wanes. It is
these flamboyant colors, the result of oxidation of the ancient quartz
grains, that make the area a visual utopia for artists and
photographers.
The variety of flora and fauna is as fascinating as the
color nuances of the landscape which change as the day progresses. Camel
thorn Trees - recognized by their distinctive umbrella shapes, cracked
gray bark and green canopies - grow throughout the dune areas and along
the river beds. An interesting
variety of desert succulents occurs amongst the rocky outcrops and mountain slopes,
including conspicuous species such as Hoodia and Euphorbia. |
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Game found in the area include Gemsbok,
Mountain Zebra, Springbok, Red Hartebeest, Blesbok, Bat Eared Fox, Spotted Hyaena,
Aardwolf, Cape Fox, Caracal, African Wild Cat and Black Backed Jackal. The more rocky
areas are inhabited by Kudu, Klipspringer, Baboon and Leopard, while dunes are home to a
rich and diverse micro fauna of moles, gerbils, snakes, geckos, beetles, spiders and ants.
Over a hundred species of birds
have been recorded at Namibrand, amongst which are
sand grouse, weavers, secretary birds, eagles, falcons, vultures and several varieties of
larks.
Accompanied by experienced guides,
visitors are introduced to the many facets of Namib Rand Nature Reserve's unique desert
habitat with its manifold fauna and flora - walking, driving, or from the air in a
balloon. |
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Hot-Air Ballooning
| Experience the immensity of the
Namib Desert painted by the rising sun in a silent balloon
riding the air. From the best
viewpoint admire the stark beauty of the Namib, an ocean of sand, mountains and endless
vistas of shadow and light.
After an hour in the air, celebrate this unique experience
with a champagne breakfast at the landing spot.
Balloon safaris start at Camp Mwisho,
situated at the North of Namib Rand Nature Reserve or at Sesriem (staying at Sossusvlei
Karos Lodge). |
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Rates:
Please contact us for a suggested
itinerary and quote
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