Little Kulala or Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp
Jul 13th, 2004, 01:33 PM
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Little Kulala or Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp
I am about to finish an itnerary to Namibia and Mozambique. I was hoping to stay at Wolwedans but one of the two nights I need is not available.
Thus, I have two nights for Little Kulala or Sossusvlei Wilderness camp. I need to let them know ASAP so quick recommendations and comments are appreciated. We will be driving if that makes any difference.
Thanks!
Thus, I have two nights for Little Kulala or Sossusvlei Wilderness camp. I need to let them know ASAP so quick recommendations and comments are appreciated. We will be driving if that makes any difference.
Thanks!
Jul 13th, 2004, 02:12 PM
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I can't point to sources as I don't recall them and I don't have personal experience BUT I do recall reading/ hearing that Little Kulala was a disappointment to at least one visitor (I think I heard this from a fellow traveller on my recent trip) and I recall reading positive reviews of the Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp in the past.
Not a personal recommendation but it might help in the absence of other responses if you're working to a tight deadline.
I stayed for the second time at Wolwedans just last month and loved it as much as the first time.
Could you alter your dates to allow a stay there? You're right that one night is not worth considering but two nights would give you a full day drive there.
Not a personal recommendation but it might help in the absence of other responses if you're working to a tight deadline.
I stayed for the second time at Wolwedans just last month and loved it as much as the first time.
Could you alter your dates to allow a stay there? You're right that one night is not worth considering but two nights would give you a full day drive there.
Jul 13th, 2004, 05:27 PM
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Thanks Kavey.
I appreciate the input. I actually found Wolwedans based on reading your posts on it and I was very disappointed not to be able to make it work. Unfortuneately they were the last lodge I heard back from and I would need to rework all my dates at 4 other lodges and the flight transfers to and from Benguerra Island in Mozambique are a limiting factor.
I appreciate the input. I actually found Wolwedans based on reading your posts on it and I was very disappointed not to be able to make it work. Unfortuneately they were the last lodge I heard back from and I would need to rework all my dates at 4 other lodges and the flight transfers to and from Benguerra Island in Mozambique are a limiting factor.
Jul 13th, 2004, 08:53 PM
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No idea on the two lodges you mentioned but in my trip in May 04, I stayed both at Wolwedans Camp and Sossusvlei Mountain Lounge and love them both.
Wolwedans has a lodge and a camp, did you check the camp as well? (The camp is not as luxury as the lodge but still very comfortable. I booked it after reading the posts of Kavey and I must thank her for the recommendation, it is in fact my favourite camp during my last trip in Botswana and Namibia). Very good food and beautiful scenary.
SML is just an hour away from Wolwedans Camp. It is a luxury lodge with air conditioning, CD players etc Rooms are spacious and food are excellent. But I like most is their quadbikes, riding the bikes in the sand dunes is really fun.
When I was there, they have invited an astronomer to guide the guests in stargazing. Very interesting too.
Wolwedans has a lodge and a camp, did you check the camp as well? (The camp is not as luxury as the lodge but still very comfortable. I booked it after reading the posts of Kavey and I must thank her for the recommendation, it is in fact my favourite camp during my last trip in Botswana and Namibia). Very good food and beautiful scenary.
SML is just an hour away from Wolwedans Camp. It is a luxury lodge with air conditioning, CD players etc Rooms are spacious and food are excellent. But I like most is their quadbikes, riding the bikes in the sand dunes is really fun.
When I was there, they have invited an astronomer to guide the guests in stargazing. Very interesting too.
Jul 14th, 2004, 01:09 AM
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Aaw, Llee that's really nice to hear, so glad you loved it as much as we did.
We went to visit the Camp this trip just to have a look and the view from the camp is even better than the view from the lodge (the camp came first) and the tents seem reasonably large and all have private bathrooms. The dining area, bar etc are all very nice.
But I have also heard good things about the Sossusvlei Mountain Lounge so perhaps the next time we go we'll have to add that into our list.
It's just that Sossusvlei, stunning as it was, doesn't call me back and back and back again as Wolwedans does.
PB, I understand and it's probably not worth trying to rework that kind of scheduling for Wolwedans, much as I love it.
Maybe next time?
We went to visit the Camp this trip just to have a look and the view from the camp is even better than the view from the lodge (the camp came first) and the tents seem reasonably large and all have private bathrooms. The dining area, bar etc are all very nice.
But I have also heard good things about the Sossusvlei Mountain Lounge so perhaps the next time we go we'll have to add that into our list.
It's just that Sossusvlei, stunning as it was, doesn't call me back and back and back again as Wolwedans does.
PB, I understand and it's probably not worth trying to rework that kind of scheduling for Wolwedans, much as I love it.
Maybe next time?
Jul 14th, 2004, 04:26 AM
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Predator,
We spent 4 nights at the Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp at the end of June "03. It was the first camp of our African trip, the rest being in Botswana.
I thoroughly enjoyed our time in Namibia and especially the Sossusvlei area. The camp itself is in a beautiful location up on a hillside and the individual bungalows are very comfortable, each with a little plunge pool out on the deck and what I thought were absolutely stunning views of the areas below. The peace and serenity bring back such wonderful memories. Food and service were good overall. The main lounge area where meals etc. are served is spacious with a large verandah overlooking the landscapes. It's also a great place to do some stargazing through their telescope.
It's about an hrs. drive to view a morning sunrise over the dunes which was terrific and if possible I would recommend a hot air balloon ride over the desert.
We did stop and have a short visit to see Little Kulala and though the accommodations etc. are very nice I still prefer SW for it's wonderful location.
I hope to have a return visit in the future and would like to see more of this wonderful country, as well as visiting Sossusvlei again.
We spent 4 nights at the Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp at the end of June "03. It was the first camp of our African trip, the rest being in Botswana.
I thoroughly enjoyed our time in Namibia and especially the Sossusvlei area. The camp itself is in a beautiful location up on a hillside and the individual bungalows are very comfortable, each with a little plunge pool out on the deck and what I thought were absolutely stunning views of the areas below. The peace and serenity bring back such wonderful memories. Food and service were good overall. The main lounge area where meals etc. are served is spacious with a large verandah overlooking the landscapes. It's also a great place to do some stargazing through their telescope.
It's about an hrs. drive to view a morning sunrise over the dunes which was terrific and if possible I would recommend a hot air balloon ride over the desert.
We did stop and have a short visit to see Little Kulala and though the accommodations etc. are very nice I still prefer SW for it's wonderful location.
I hope to have a return visit in the future and would like to see more of this wonderful country, as well as visiting Sossusvlei again.
Jul 14th, 2004, 08:21 AM
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Thanks to all of you for your quick responses! I went with Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp.
The raves for Wolwedans makes me very disappointed that it didn't work out but unfortuneately I don't have the flexibility to make it work. I am sure I will make it there sometime in the future.
The raves for Wolwedans makes me very disappointed that it didn't work out but unfortuneately I don't have the flexibility to make it work. I am sure I will make it there sometime in the future.
Jul 14th, 2004, 08:38 AM
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PB
Don't focus on disappointments, just concentrate on getting the most out of the places you will be visiting since WSC also receives absolutely great feedback and sounds like it has a great variety of activities...
What is the rest of your itinerary?
Don't focus on disappointments, just concentrate on getting the most out of the places you will be visiting since WSC also receives absolutely great feedback and sounds like it has a great variety of activities...
What is the rest of your itinerary?
Jul 14th, 2004, 11:18 AM
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Kavey: Well put, and I am thrilled with the trip. I was married in June and this will be our honeymoon. Discover Namibia and then proceed to beautiful Indian Ocean island off coast of Mozambique. It will be first time for either country.
November 2-18 Itinerary is as follows:
1 night Windhoek
(lodging to be decided -
suggestions welcome)
2 nights Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp
1 night Swakopmund -- not booked yet
but planning on Sea Breeze
2 nights Damaraland Camp
3 nights Little Ongava
1 night Joburg Airport area hotel
1 night Vilankulo, Mozambique
(lodging to be decided)
3 nights Benguerra Lodge
November 2-18 Itinerary is as follows:
1 night Windhoek
(lodging to be decided -
suggestions welcome)
2 nights Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp
1 night Swakopmund -- not booked yet
but planning on Sea Breeze
2 nights Damaraland Camp
3 nights Little Ongava
1 night Joburg Airport area hotel
1 night Vilankulo, Mozambique
(lodging to be decided)
3 nights Benguerra Lodge
Jul 14th, 2004, 09:35 PM
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Predator,
A suggestion for a good hotel in Windhoek is the Hotel Heinitzburg. It's located up on a hillside and is built in the style of a German Castle. The rooms are very comfortable with great views of the city below and they have a wonderful restaurant on site.
A suggestion for a good hotel in Windhoek is the Hotel Heinitzburg. It's located up on a hillside and is built in the style of a German Castle. The rooms are very comfortable with great views of the city below and they have a wonderful restaurant on site.
Jul 15th, 2004, 01:02 AM
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Another recommendation for Windhoek is the large upstairs double room in the Hilltop Hotel. This room has a large double bed (on which they placed two different types of pink flowers, the bougainvillea arranged in a large heart shape and the smaller lighter pink ones arranged in a smaller heart inside), it has a dining table and chairs, two additional chairs and a door out onto the balcony overlooking pool and some of Windhoek. The bathroom is nice (no bath tub though) and spacious.
Alternatively one of the other upstairs doubles has a big comfy sofa in it, it also has a door to the balcony and is a large double room.
Breakfast can be taken either out in the garden by the pool or in your room, you order it the night before.
For meals they serve a short menu of light dishes (which we had for lunch) or arrange bookings and taxis to go out elsewhere.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WEDDING!
=D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
Alternatively one of the other upstairs doubles has a big comfy sofa in it, it also has a door to the balcony and is a large double room.
Breakfast can be taken either out in the garden by the pool or in your room, you order it the night before.
For meals they serve a short menu of light dishes (which we had for lunch) or arrange bookings and taxis to go out elsewhere.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WEDDING!
=D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
Jul 15th, 2004, 12:50 PM
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Predator,
Congratulations on your wedding!! Sounds like a super honeymoon plan (noticed you saved the relaxing beach resort for the end. Well planned!
For a romantic and wonderful dinner in Windhoek, the restaurant at the Hotel Heinitzburg is the best bet. It is acknowledged to be the town's finest by the locals, and has a good wine cellar. (There really aren't very many choices!) Also has a terrace and a beautiful view at night.
I enjoyed the hotel too. Rooms are large and (given the German castle theme) are decorated with antique-y 4 poster beds, etc. A British friend described it as a place decorated with "impeccably bad taste". Its fun-- kind of what you'd imagine an eccentric great aunt would do! They have a huge breakfast buffet...and given the quality of the restaurant, that's a great way to start the day.
Can't remember the name of the big hotel/conference center/casino thing in town...don't do it. Boring!
Congratulations on your wedding!! Sounds like a super honeymoon plan (noticed you saved the relaxing beach resort for the end. Well planned!
For a romantic and wonderful dinner in Windhoek, the restaurant at the Hotel Heinitzburg is the best bet. It is acknowledged to be the town's finest by the locals, and has a good wine cellar. (There really aren't very many choices!) Also has a terrace and a beautiful view at night.
I enjoyed the hotel too. Rooms are large and (given the German castle theme) are decorated with antique-y 4 poster beds, etc. A British friend described it as a place decorated with "impeccably bad taste". Its fun-- kind of what you'd imagine an eccentric great aunt would do! They have a huge breakfast buffet...and given the quality of the restaurant, that's a great way to start the day.
Can't remember the name of the big hotel/conference center/casino thing in town...don't do it. Boring!
Jul 15th, 2004, 12:56 PM
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Sounds like fun Tashak!
The Hilltop is much more modern and airy so it will depend on what you fancy and prices too perhaps.
Note the Hilltop doesn't have a restaurant - they provide meals on the patio or in your room but the menu isn't extensive. Wouldn't be suitable for a proper evening meal like the place Tashak recommends.
http://www.timeforafrica.com/namibia/hilltop.htm
Our room is the one pictured at the bottom there.
The Hilltop is much more modern and airy so it will depend on what you fancy and prices too perhaps.
Note the Hilltop doesn't have a restaurant - they provide meals on the patio or in your room but the menu isn't extensive. Wouldn't be suitable for a proper evening meal like the place Tashak recommends.
http://www.timeforafrica.com/namibia/hilltop.htm
Our room is the one pictured at the bottom there.
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