"Our experienced teams in camp are excited to be welcoming guests to these exceptional locations, and to offer life-changing experiences – from the minute travellers arrive in Namibia until they return safely home," said Wilderness Safaris Namibia managing director, Alexandra Margull.
"We believe that the wide open spaces and awe-inspiring landscapes of Namibia make this the perfect destination for those seeking the inspiration and healing power of nature during this time. Our luxury camps are small and exclusive, set within large, pristine wilderness areas, and offer our guests the opportunity to reconnect with the natural world," Ms Margull said.
Location
Namibia, formerly known as South-West Africa, is bordered by Angola to the north, South Africa to the south and Botswana and Zambia to the east and north-east with the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It ranges from arid in the north to desert on the coast and in the east. The landscape is spectacular with desert, mountains, canyons, and savannas.
Little Kulala experience
Having undergone a complete refurbishment before reopening this month, Little Kulala's signature "living desert" offering has been ratcheted up a notch. Now, even greater emphasis will be placed on innovative in- and out-of-camp activities that amplify the splendour and solitude of the Namib Desert. From e-bikes to night-time scorpion tracking and hot air ballooning, guests staying at Little Kulala will be spoilt for choice with a variety of activities tailored for an optimal exploration of the spectacular landscape.
Situated in the 27,000-hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve, with a private gate to Sossusvlei, Little Kulala is arguably one of the best post-COVID travel destinations in Africa. As the closest establishment to the world-renowned Namibian land marks, Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei, the camp offers the most convenient access and the luxury of exclusivity to anyone looking to have an adventure in this pristine paradise.
Sand, fossils and wildlife
The most captivating feature of the Namib Desert is its inscrutability; from a distance it appears static, but those curious enough to take a closer look will know how much there is to uncover. One of the most popular activities at Little Kulala is the excursion to Sossusvlei, an enormous clay pan, flanked by a field of towering sand dunes. One of these dunes, dubbed "Big Daddy", is famous for being one of the highest sand dunes in the world and has the advantage of overlooking Dead Vlei, an ephemeral pan where water occasionally appears after rare good rains, and now is dotted with the skeletons of 900-year-old camelthorn trees.
Exploring Sesriem Canyon is another activity that guests shouldn't miss while at Little Kulala. The canyon is the result of millions of years of the Tsauchab River carving its way across the topography. At three kilometres long, the views from the top are breathtaking, while walks through the gorge reveal geographical insights going back eons. To get to both Sossusvlei and Sesriem, Wilderness Safaris guests have the added advantage of a nearby private entrance gate into the park.
Nature drives, eco-sensitive quad biking and walking trails are just some of the ways in which Little Kulala guests can immerse themselves in this remote area. These are not without the sightings ofmyriad wildlife found in the area, including mammals like oryx and springbok, which follow a nomadic existence, their movements dictated by forage availability, which is in turn subject to rainfall. Secretive carnivores like the brown hyena and Cape fox offer occasional glimpses into their lives, while the unique invertebrates and reptiles, as well as endemic birds, show remarkable adaptability for surviving here year-round.
While it is virtually impossible to explore every single corner of this captivating area, the thrilling hot air balloon safari makes up for it with an incredible perspective of the desert from above. Upon landing, guests are treated to an exquisite sunrise champagne breakfast overlooking stunning views.
There is something for everyone at Little Kulala. With just 11 suites, each guest has a view as far as the eye can see, and complete privacy to go with it. In addition, each of the suites comes with a Star Bed experience on the deck, and romantic rooftop dinners and star gazing.
Healthcare precautions in place
Wilderness Safaris says it will ensure that guests are taken care of every step of the way, in line with the company's stringent health and cleanliness standards. Its camps accommodate small numbers of guests, providing ample space for comfortable social distancing. The wide variety of activities on offer, from adventurous e-biking and climbing the iconic Sossusvlei dunes, to discovering rare desert-adapted wildlife on game drives along the Skeleton Coast, also allow for physical distance between guests.
In addition, the camps are located in remote areas where staff reside for six weeks at a time, limiting their exposure to local villages and towns. In accordance with government regulations, staff teams will be monitored daily.
Being able to host guests once again will help Wilderness Safaris continue its community support, as well as its conservation and human-wildlife conflict mitigation efforts in north-west Namibia, both of which have been a key focus for the company during this time.
"We understand that some guests may feel apprehensive about travel right now, but we have taken great care to enhance all of our health and cleanliness standards, in line with the World Health Organization's protocols. This situation has also given us a renewed appreciation of the impact ecotourism has on the lives of so many people, and we certainly look forward to creating life-changing journeys once again – journeys that enable us to continue making a positive difference," Alexandra Margull said.
For more information or to enquire about a reservation, visit www.wilderness-safaris.com. To watch a short video featuring recent COVID-relief efforts in Namibia, click here.
Photos courtesy Wilderness Safaris