Wolwedans Dune Lodge

The Namib Rand Nature Reserve is a stunningly beautiful desert area, more subtle than the stark landscapes of the Sossusvlei. This is a private conservation initiative in the south-western area of Namibia formed  to help protect and conserve the unique ecology and wildlife of the south-west Namib Desert. It is critically important to protect the seasonal migratory wildlife routes and to protect biodiversity in this important area. Virtually all facets of the Namib Desert are represented on the Reserve – sand and gravel plains and stretches of savanna alternate with mountain ranges and vegetated dune belts.
The NamibRand Nature Reserve is a non-profit private nature reserve. All landowners belonging to the Reserve have signed agreements and adopted a constitution which sets the land aside for conservation – now and in the future. The Reserve is financially self-sustaining mainly through high quality, low impact tourism.

The Reserve originated in 1992 as the dream of J.A. (Albi) Brückner to extend desert frontiers by integrating a large number of former livestock farms and developing a wildlife sanctuary. To date thirteen former livestock farms have been rehabilitated into a single continuous natural habitat. Recognizing the importance of wilderness areas, the NamibRand Nature Reserve has exclusively set aside more than 15% of its total area for wilderness.

Four distinct habitats are found on the Reserve: dunes and sandy plains, inselbergs and mountains, gravel plains, and sand and gravel plains interface. The predominant large mammals on the Reserve are Oryx gazelle (gemsbok or oryx) and Antidorcas marsupialis (springbok). The 2005 game census indicated that there were 9,500 oryx and 14,000 springbok on the Reserve. Other large mammals include kudu, Hartman's and Burchell's zebra, giraffe, klipspringer, steenbok, hartebeest and baboon. Predators include leopard, spotted and brown hyena, black-backed jackal, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, Cape fox, African wildcat, caracal and genet. To date 100 bird species have been identified, while work is still in progress on the inventory of rodents, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and plants.

The Dunes Lodge is perched on top of a dunes plateau some eight kilometers north of the Dune Camp and overlooks panoramic vistas in all directions, capturing the desert in a most memorable way. The building style is a combination of wooden structures, large canvas blinds and windows that open up to the desert beyond. The lodge reflects the ambience of a tented camp, but provides the comfort and protection of a permanent building. Each of the nine spacious Chalets with en-suite bathrooms leads onto a private veranda and vast stretches of untouched sand. Sleeping with your canvas blinds open is as good as sleeping under the stars. The main complex - which has completely been rebuilt during 2003 - consists of two lounges, a number of sundowner decks, a fireplace, a tea deck, a library, the wine cellar and two dining rooms. All communal areas of the lodge open out onto verandahs with superb views.