At Little Kulala, the action often begins when the sun starts to sink below the horizon. There’s the majesty of the pink-red-orange sunset, typically viewed from a scenic spot and accompanied by a sundowner drink. As the heat of the day fades, the birds and the animals become more active, stepping out of the shade and coming down to the water to drink. And it is also the prime time for spotting nocturnal creatures, which is best done on a night walk. Did you know that scorpion fluoresce under UV light? It’s an eerie sight to behold!
The stunning guest accommodation at Little Kulala is in 11 thatched kulalas (attractive villas) spread out along the dry bed of the Auab River. These are no ordinary wilderness huts: they are climate controlled, have their own plunge pools, and the bathrooms are equally impressive. Huge floor to ceiling windows give you fabulous views of the Sossusvlei, and you can slide them back and step out onto the open wooden deck. The designers have managed to capture the perfect balance between simplicity - in the colour scheme and the use of space - and understated luxury.
But of course it is the star beds that you really want to hear about. Each villa at Little Kulala has one: all you have to do to reach it is to climb the staircase onto the roof. These star lit beds are incredibly romantic, letting you feel at one with the desert landscape and sky. The light evening breeze is a natural form of air conditioning, and if temperatures drop you can always snuggle down beneath the thick feather duvets. The only sounds are those of the wind and the shifting of desert sands, occasionally interrupted by the squawking of a bird or the enthusiastic chirrup of an insect calling to his mate.