Clematis1

We only have a few days in Namibia. We think it will be 2 nts in Sossusvlei and 2 nts at Wolwedans. We'd like to be at a WS camp so we're considering Sossusvlei Wilderness or Little Kulala. I like the idea of terrace sleeping at Little K. if those big crickets aren't there. Also not crazy about a rough bumpy hour's drive to the dunes.

Want to hear what your experience was at Little K.

bellhouse

We just got back from Namibia, including two nights at Little Kulala. It was marvelous sleeping on the roof - wish we had a week there! The giant crickets were around, but they tended to stay near the light and out of our way. Are you going ballooning?

Clematis1

Bell, thank you so much for the reply! We weren't planning on ballooning. DH is not great on heights and we figured there wouldn't be much game to see. But please tell me what your experience was. What were your days like there at Little K? What did you do?

bellhouse

Clematis1 - First off, there was still some minor outside construction on things such as walkways going on (the camp burned down and was recently rebuilt) and some of the wait staff are still in the training stage, but neither of these bothered us in the least. The staff did a great job and were very solicitous without being obviously or heavy-handedly so. For example, one of the guys there helping set up the kitchen and train the staff played chess with our 13-year-old son both nights for quite a while - he was thrilled! The kulalas are fabulous: glass walls overlooking the desert towards the mountains (no one is allowed to walk there, so it's completely private), luxurious bathroom with an outdoor shower, covered and uncovered seating on your private terrace, and that roof! Be sure to ask early about sleeping on the roof so they can get it set up for you. We waited too late the first night, but were able to the second night. It was just as comfortable as sleeping inside - but you could look up and see more stars than you knew existed. DH, an early riser, enjoyed the sunrise and woke me up long enough to admire the balloon as it drifted towards the dunes. The lodge was very comfortable - the first night we ate outside by the pool (candles and hurricane lamps providing light), the second night was cooler so we ate inside (heaters and blankets provided). After dinner, the staff sang for us - then we sat around the fire and chatted or played chess. One of the staff was a young man from Swakupmond, Jackie, who really hit it off with our 16- and 18-year-olds. They had a great time talking about music, the US, Namibia, etc.

We got there about 4pm, so after our welcome and before dinner Francois, the manager, took us on a sundowner drive. We saw ostrichs and springbuck, but the highlight was watching the sun set over the dunes as we sipped wine and listened to Rankcois talk about the "dunes, animals, and the desert" - according to my journal. I was pretty tired. The next day we got up at 5:15 for the balloon ride. It was like all the pictures you see: the contrast of light and shadow on the huge spricot colored sand dunes was just gorgeous. Has your DH tried ballooning before? It's so smooth and the views are so wonderful - or would you go on your own? Our guide picked us up after we had breakfast and champagne and we headed out into the valley between the dunes. We climbed one - the older boys took off out of sight, DH and our guide went to the top, and I went about 1/2 way up with our youngest who tires easily. It was hard work going up, but so much fun to run down! There were the neatest beetles (toc tokkies) that looked like water bugs skating across the sand, plus another related to ladybugs and some lizards. We drove farther down the vlei to the 4-wheel drive part and from there to a pan with water and another dune for the older boys to climb. DH wondered around, and Rob and I watched birds and little rodents until lunch was ready (they do feed you every chance they get). We probably got back about 3, then just relaxed until cocktail hour.

You're right about not much game, but the landscape and the dunes made it a must for us - and sleeping on the roof! I think the boys had one of those big crickets up on the roof, but one of them carried it downstairs - they're awful looking but very quiet and calm.

When are you going and where else are you going? We also went to Swakupmond, Damaraland, and Etosha - as we flew home DH and I were planning our next trip there!

Clematis1

bellhouse, I had never heard that it burned down. How did that happen?

We've never been ballooning before.

Your time there sounds like it was perfect for you, especially with the boys. We are just two adults.

I'm a little puzzled how I'll feel without true game drives but everyone says Namibia is so beautiful. We only have 2 nts at Little Kulala and 2 nts Wolwedans lodge and then we're off to SA.

Kavey

Clematis,

Firstly about ballooning - haven't done it in Namibia but just had an input - I'm scared of heights - I can't stand on a chair without feeling seriously dizzy. But I did a balloon ride in Kenya and I was fine. The only scary bit was the first 5 minutes as we were rising and were still within treetops height. Once we cleared those my vertigo somehow disappeared. Don't know how but it did!

Secondly, Wolwedans burned down sometime between our 2001 and 2004 visits too. Well, not all of it, the chalets are not connected to each other so they were all fine. What burned was the entire central area. They rebuilt it improving the layout and building in some rather clever fire breakers as they did it.

bellhouse

I believe it was just the main lodge area that burned. I think someone said it was started by a cigarette. Kavey - that's interesting about not feeling bad on a balloon. Ferris wheels scare me to death (I had to sit down on the center seat, close my eyes, and concentrate on breathing on the London Eye), but roller coasters and balloons are fine. My theory is that roller coasters go so fast I don't have time to think about being up in the air, and balloons are just so smooth and slow - especially if you remember not to look straight down! Clematis1 - are you going other places that will be good for animal viewing?

bellhouse

Forgot to ask - when are you going? That area (maybe all?) of Namibia had 3 times the normal amount of rain, so all the plains areas were covered in beautiful grasses and there were green plants growing up the very lower slopes of the apricot colored dunes - quite a sight.

Clematis1

Kav, interesting, thanks. Odd they've had so many fires. Bell, we will be there in June 07. It's our second trip to Africa and we're scheduled to go to Tanzania (NCL, private camping, Grumeti RL) and SA (Phinda, Mala Mala - but let's see, we're working out the transfers). So we're not expecting much wildlife in Namibia.

Kavey

Yeah, unfortunate - but I imagine summers are very hot and dry and the places are entirely built out of wood so I guess once a fire does start it takes hold.

bellhouse

Sounds like a great trip! DH and I started planning our second (as a couple) fantasy vacation to Africa on the flight home from this one.....Let's see, we were both last there (not together) in '75 - hope it's not 31 years 'til the next trip - we'll be needing to go on safaris that accomodate walkers! Where and when was your first trip?

TheMac

We have lived in Namibia for the last 2 years and can't say enough good about it! We just visited Sossussvlei two weeks ago and had a great time. Our kids, ages 8 & 10 years went up and down several of the dunes...while we watched. We stayed at The Little Sossus Lodge, it is about 30 km from the main gate at Sesriem. It is a very nice place to stay, they are in the process of upgrading the service and rooms right now too.

I was told that they are "armored" crickets, we only saw a few this time, even at night outside. We were in Etosha in April of this year and they were everywhere.

There are quite a few animals here in Namibia, not in the numbers that you see in East Africa....we are going to find out as we have set a safari in December to Kenya. One of our favorite lodges here is Ongava, run by Wilderness Safaris, the road to the lodge is right outside the Okakeujo gate at Etosha. Very nice, 3 separate places to stay, Ongava Lodge, Tented Camp and the very upscale Little Ongava. Would definetly recommend it. If travelling to this part of Africa...don't miss Namibia!

Clematis1

Bell, our first (and only because it was a once in a lifetime trip - hah) was three years ago. Because the war had just started, many people cancelled their reservations and we were able to plan a safari in 6 weeks. Zambia (R.Livingstone), Botswana (Mombo, Chief's, Stanleys) and SA (Singita and Cape Grace).
Like all of you, once was not enough.

The Mac, you are so lucky to give to live there. Since we only have 4 nts, we're trying to to travel too much there. Have you stayed at Wolwedans or Little Kulala?

TheMac

Clematis1,
We have not stayed at either, but have heard great things about Wolwedans from everyone who has stayed there.
Enjoy your visit!!
Bill

Clematis1

Thanks for that, Bill (and for ignoring my odd typo above). At this point we're trying to decide whether to go for the private suite at Wolwedans that our operator is suggesting.