The NamibRand, one of the largest private reserves in southern Africa, is the vision of Namibian farmer Albi Bruckner and was created from the integration of several livestock farms and the removal of the fences which divided the land.
Kwessi Dune Lodge's ten thatch and canvas rooms measure 88 square metres inside and out, and will feature vintage four-poster beds, striped canvas walls and a beautiful map mural feature wall. Each bedroom will also have an ensuite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers and a shaded, outdoor veranda. High thatched roofs and air-conditioning will keep guests cool during the hot desert days.
Each room has been designed with a special "star gazer" room and every night there is the option to sleep outside.
In 2012 the NamibRand Nature Reserve was selected by the International Dark Sky Association as an official dark sky reserve on account of its low light pollution and cloudless night skies.
A day trip to the iconic red dunes of Sossusvlei is not to be missed, in particular, the chance to climb "Big Daddy" before dawn. Afternoons can then be spent exploring Deadvlei, which boasts a pan of fossilised trees that stand against the startling red backdrop of the dunes.
As with all Natural Selection’s projects, 1.5% of the turnover will go straight back to conservation projects which directly impacts the area. The new lodge will also make use of the latest clean and green technology, ensuring that it leaves as light a footprint as possible on the fragile environment.
Dave van Smeerdijk, co-founder and director of sales and marketing at Natural Selection says: "With its iconic dunes and sprawling landscapes, this is one of the most spectacular desert areas in the world. The cool and comfortable lodge has a light footprint and is set on a vast private reserve to ensure exclusivity and close to Namib Naukluft’s iconic Sossusvlei."
