&Beyond Sossusvlei is a sleek, luxe retreat in Namibia’s otherworldly stark desert from one of the most trusted names in Africa.
This long-established lodge emerged from a complete refresh in 2019, with striking architecture and elegant interiors that take their design cues from the otherworldly desert landscape.
&Beyond Sossusvlei is great for whole families, but especially for honeymoon couples.
One of the oldest, driest and most pristine areas on Earth, the Namib Desert is a world of marvelous rock formations, massive sand dunes and endless horizons. At its heart lies a dry clay pan called Sossusvlei—a place both dramatic and serene, and home to a lodge designed to capture the solitary splendour of the desert location.
The lodge is set on a private 37-acre reserve in the Namib Desert so a stay revolves around the immense rippled sand dunes, vast plains and starry night skies. It’s a one-and-a-half hour flight from Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek to the airstrip. The nearest town is Maltahe, 140km (87 miles) away.
Sustainability and uncompromised luxury go hand in hand at Sossusvlei. 10 beautifully appointed stone and glass suites, spread out along the curve of the escarpment, open onto ever-changing outlooks.
Each spacious air conditioned suite offers a secluded, shaded veranda complete with private plunge pool, a living room with a fireplace, a large retractable skylight above the bed, and an ensuite bathroom with a glass-encased rain shower offering 180º desert views.
The two-bedroomed Star Dune Suite is an ideal option for families or groups of friends.
The lodge is a collaboration between Johannesburg-based architect Jack Alexander and design agency Fox Browne Creative.
From the front, the low-level main space has floor-to-ceiling glass on three sides and rusted geometric steel shading devices on the flat roof; from the back, curving stone walls conjure up the notion of Roman ruins.
Inside, the open-plan living and dining area feels pared-back and relaxed. In the middle, there’s a faceted timber-clad bar and a telescope for zooming in on the oryx, zebra and ostrich that drink from the waterhole.
All staff, from the knowledgeable guides who take guests e-biking, quad biking and hiking up dunes in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, to the friendly bar team, is excellent.
An astronomer is on hand to show guests the Milky Way through the telescope in the observatory.
On the upper level of the main lodge there is a spa treatment room and gym; the main swimming pool is at the front.
At breakfast (after the morning activity), there is yogurt, cereals, pastries and an omelette/crepe station, plus made-to-order hot dishes.
Lunch options include light bites such as the delicious black bean and vegetable burrito bowl.
Evenings begin with either a game drive sundowner or gathered around the bar for drinks.
The dinner menu works on a five-day rotation; one night there’s a hibachi grill where guests cook their own barbecue chicken and Namibian lamb skewers; another there’s an à la carte menu featuring dishes such as kingclip and prawn curry, and Tomahawk steak.
LOCATION
A 1hr 15min fixed-wing or a 1hr 30min helicopter flight from Windhoek, followed by a short 10min road transfer to the lodge.
RATES
Rates at &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lode start from NAD 9,265 (£485) per person, per night on an all-inclusive basis, including return transfers from the lodge airstrip, e-biking, safari activities, guided nature walks, quad biking, stargazing and one excursion to Sossusvlei. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.
ROOMS
The 10 standalone suites are all designed to be entirely solar powered.
STYLE
Boutique – lodge – desert – modern.
FOOD
The food is expertly prepared and served on your private terrace, and the desert picnics are also extremely popular.
X FACTOR
With a fine telescope and resident astronomers, the Lodge is one of Namibia’s finest private observatories.
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