The open-plan reception/lounge and bar area at Hoodia Desert Lodge has a relaxed atmosphere, featuring sylish décor, comfortable seating, coffee table books to browse and open fires in the winter months. Leading from the lounge is the enclosed circular restaurant with panoramic views over the riverbed. There's a large outdoor terrace where you can tuck in to dinner or sip a sundowner, enjoying sweeping views of the desert mountain scenery, which changes colour from grey to red to purple as the sun sets. Adjacent to this is a small pool area, which is the place to head if you wish to cool off in the heat of the day after a morning visit to the dunes.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our Namibia specialists on 01993 838 525
Rooms
The lodge has just a handful of air conditioned thatched chalets, each featuring wooden floors and harmonious furnishings. The en suite bathrooms have both indoor and outdoor showers, as well as outdoor bathtubs in charming little courtyard gardens. Each chalet has a shaded porch to the front, furnished with comfortable seating on which you can admire the views across the open plains. All rooms have tea/coffee making facilities, a fridge and mosquito nets.
Location
Hoodia Desert Lodge is situated on the banks of the Tsauchab River, about a 20 minute drive from Sesriem. Passing through the entrance gate, the lodge slowly materialises in the distance as you approach the base of the mountain.
Food and Drink
The restaurant serves tasty three course dinners in a large dining area with an open fire, providing a cosy, sociable atmosphere. A bar is located in the lodge's main area, serving a variety of beverages. A special sundowner experience can also be arranged, with the lodge providing wines, traditional sundowner drinks and snacks in a private location looking out over the Namib Desert.
Facilities and Activities
The lodge offers full-day tours of the dunes at Sossusvlei, which include a dune lunch complete with tables, chairs and a selection of wines. On site, guests can make use of the shaded pool area and open-air lounge.
Our opinion
We've found Hoodia to be a really warm, friendly lodge offering very good service. Small and intimate, the lodge's owner-managers, Thomas and Henreza, often join guests for a chat after dinner, opening a bottle of wine or whiskey to talk about the day's experiences and plan the next day’s activities.
Suggested itineraries featuring Hoodia Desert Lodge
Namibia self-drive family safari
Desert & delta: Namibia self-drive & Botswana safari
Luxury Namibia flying safari
Remote Namibia honeymoon safari
Skeleton Coast flying safari
Sossusvlei & Sesriem itinerary suggestions
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Luxury Namibia flying safari
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Remote Namibia honeymoon safari
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Skeleton Coast flying safari
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Southern Namibia self-drive explorer
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Desert & delta: Namibia self-drive & Botswana safari
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Namibia's highlights by private escorted tour (non self-drive)
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Namibia self-drive family safari
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Classic Namibia self-drive safari
Nearby accommodation
Places & hotels on the map
Alternative places to stay nearby
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favourite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.
Desert Homestead Lodge
Close to some of Namibia’s greatest desert scenery, Desert Homestead Lodge is a welcoming, characterful option surrounded by rugged mountains. Combining African style and Western comforts, the lodge makes an excellent base for exploring the towering dunes of Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Desert Quiver Camp
Desert Quiver offers simple but modern self-catering accommodation, situated just five kilometres from the entrance to Sossusvlei.
Kulala Desert Lodge
Offering a wealth of activities that allow you to explore the vast desert landscape and its wildlife, Kulala Desert Lodge is the closest lodge to Sossusvlei, boasting its own private entrance to Namib Nauklift National Park. It provides characterful, comfortable accommodation with a traditional atmosphere.
Little Kulala
Little Kulala is very arty and stylish. The rooms have been carefully designed and have dramatic desert views. We highly recommend it as somewhere totally unique to stay in the desert.
Little Sossus Lodge
This is a fairly simple, eco-friendly lodge. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and the staff are warm and friendly.
Sossus Dune Lodge
Sossus Dune Lodge is in a very convenient location to visit Sossusvlei, with the added benefit of being very close to Sesriem Canyon. It is also a great lodge from which to access the dunes at first light.
Sossusvlei Lodge
This lodge is located at the National Park entrance to Sesriem, the perfect base from which to explore the ancient dunes of Sossusvlei.
The Desert Camp
This affordable accommodation comprises twenty units, each with en-suite bathroom, twin beds, shaded verandah with outside cooking facilities including a small zipped away kitchenette and bbq.
Experiences while staying here
The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you’re staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident’s eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area’s inhabitants.
Sossusvlei Dune Excursion
Enjoy the amazing scenery of Sossusvlei, and maybe take a short walk to Dead Vlei, a bizarre collection of ancient camelthorn trees, or climb the nearby dunes.
Sunset Horse Riding
Riders wind their way across the grassy plains and through ancient water courses and eventually up a steep mountain track, where a friendly barman with a selection of cocktails awaits them.