Hoodia Desert Lodge

Hoodia Desert Lodge opened in 2008 to accommodate guests from all over the world on an individual, small scale and private basis. There are only 11 luxury chalets with large distances between each chalet, planned to assure privacy in this breathtaking environment.

Hoodia is family-owned and managed by Thomas & Henreza Becker, both enthusiastic regarding professional hospitality with a personal and human touch. Skilled and enthusiastic chefs deliver delicious creations of international and local cuisine in co-operation with Henreza. The waiters/tresses are charming and hearty as well as attentive and will cater for all your needs.

The lodge offers 11 luxury thatched, partly tented chalets with en-suite indoor bathrooms, air-conditioning, open air shower with a generous bathtub, coffee station, fridge, mosquito nets and a private shaded deck. The main building has a shaded outside lounge deck, shaded pool area, lounge area with fireplace, restaurant with centred fireplace and an elegant bar.

Living and working in this beautiful environment the owners realised that the information which travellers receive about Sossusvlei before departing from home are mostly poor and fairly limited. They therefore decided to share their enthusiasm and knowledge about the magical Namib Desert with guests, encouraging them to join them for an individual and unforgettable experience to discover the secrets of the desert.

So, the lodge offers a pretty special Sossusvlei Excursion with an exclusive “Out of Africa” Dune Picnic Lunch!

The aim of this excursion is to deliver a unique “off the beaten tracks” experience in nature and to focus on places which are rarely mentioned in guidebooks – especially today facing an overwhelming increase of tourists in the Sossusvlei area. The itinerary is as follows:

• Start from the lodge after breakfast, before sunrise with a professional guide in a 4X4 safari vehicle.
• Arriving at Sesriem Gate at sunrise, while entering the park the guide will provide information about the history of the national park and petrified dunes.
• Off beaten tracks lecturing on lizards, beetles, scorpions, spiders and snakes, but reliant on good weather conditions to assure track visibility.
• Off beaten tracks lecturing about birdlife especially the dune lark which is endemic to the Namib Desert.
• Photography stops at the big Dunes.
• Entering the ancient Tsauchab riverbed engaging 4×4 here as needed due to deep sand areas. While cruising providing information on the flora, trees and various plants, as well as fauna, such as springbok, oryx, ostrich and birds.
• Hiking to Dead Vlei and later Sossusvlei using “secret routes” to minimize seeing too many other visitors. Whilst walking further information about the area, the geological and historical background.
• Time for photography as needed by the group.
• In agreement with the guide coffee and tea break in Sossusvlei area with seasonal fruits and homemade cookies.
• Before midday drive back to “Elim Dune” for a generous “Out of Africa” picnic lunch under one of the majestic Camel Thorn trees. An elegant set up is provided with table, chairs, tablecloth, cutlery, wine cooler, glasses, hand wash basin, freshly prepared cold food and various beverages like wine, beer, soft drinks and water.
• Visit of Sesriem Canyon, in agreement with guide before or after lunch, with hike down the Canyon and lecturing about history and geology.
• At about 15:30 – 16:00 back in the lodge, no restriction in time as excursion is rather a whole day excursion.

The lodge also offers a fantastic Sun Downer Experience, since the lodge is surrounded by magnificent landscapes with a breath-taking view looking west over the red sand dunes. This allows guests to experience fantastic sun sets nearly every day of the year. The lodge offers their guests a sun set drive taking you out to a special place on one of the hills to give you the opportunity to witness this breath-taking spectacle