Namib Etosha Tourism Group (Pty) Ltd, owners of SOSSUSVLEI LODGE at the entrance gate to the Namib Naukluft Park at Sesriem, is proud to announce several new and exciting developments at the lodge.

These developments follow a very healthy growth in occupancy at the lodge over the past number of years with more than 20 000 guests accommodated during calendar year 2002 in this spectacular beautiful part of Namibia. The developments are aimed at improving the service to guests even more following the appointment of a new management team in 2001 under the capable leadership of Ute de Jager. The lodge now employs 48 people of which only the executive chef is not a Namibian citizen.

The new developments include an own airfield, vehicles for guided drives and outdoor catering. All rooms were renovated and the maintenance team was upgraded to keep the lodge’s facilities on a high standard and in good shape at all times in the harsh conditions of the desert. Due to popular demand, three family units were added. These units are also used in high season to offer better accommodation to tour guides who were formerly accom-modated in a farmhouse.

The construction of the airfield is a joint venture with Desert Air / Bush Pilots consortium who also have an aircraft permanently stationed there, offering a variety of scenic flights. The so-called fly-in safari’s for tourists is an ever-growing market and we believe the airfield has become a necessity to ensure an efficient and safe service on a well maintained and fenced in facility. It incorporates ablution facilities and a small reception area for the convenience of passengers before or after a flight. The co-ordinates of the airfield are S24 29’ 22" E015 48’ 55" with a 1200m gravel surfaced runway and paved turning circles and apron.

An information service is now offered at our new Adventure Centre. Guests do not only get information about road conditions, directions and emergency advice, but also a variety of activities offered. These include nature drives on our 45 000ha spectacularly beautiful farm land, sun downer drives, guided Sossusvlei trips, airfield transfers, scenic flights to various places of interest and hot air ballooning. Reservations can be done at adventure@sossusvleilodge.com

A fleet of vehicles was ordered to our specification to offer these activities. We are especially proud of our Namibian built Uri game viewers equipped with 10 comfortable seats with armrests for all. The vehicles are constructed in such a way that a panoramic view is offered to all passengers with no structures in the way for perfect photography. In the event of bad weather the vehicles have roll down canvas sides to protect occupants from the elements. Apart from the fleet of five Uri’s we can accommodate larger groups with an Unimog offering seating and standing capacity for 25 passengers. Should air-conditioning be a requirement we also have two Volkswagen Syncro microbuses in the fleet.

To cater for incentive groups and to give guests a memorable desert experience, we have established our own outdoor catering unit. This may include a full breakfast buffet, lunches, weddings and incentive receptions with set tables at any location in nature, far away from any civilisation. It is also used to offer our ever-popular Bush Dinner; an exclusive dinner under the star studded skies in pristine nature.

With these changes and addition in services we feel confident that we have established the ultimate in stylish experience in the Sossusvlei region, the gateway to the Namib.

Our Central Reservation and Management office, AFRICAN SOLUTIONS, responsible for general sales, accommodation and information enquiries is located at the NAMIBIA TOURIST and INFORMATION CENTRE at Gutenberg Platz in the centre of Windhoek in Stuebel Street. Their contact details are: reservations@sosvlei.com or info@sosvlei.com, phone: +264-61-255488 and fax: +264-61-251400

The contact details for the lodge remain tel 063-693223, fax 063-693231 with changed departmental e-mail addresses. The general manager, Ute de Jager can be contacted directly at gm@sossusvleilodge.com , while all general enquiries must be directed to adventure@sossusvleildoge.com. For further information please visit our website www.sossusvleilodge.com.

SOSSUSVLEI LODGE remains fully committed to its environmental friendly approach. All care will be taken to maintain the unequalled experience of warm atmosphere where nature and luxury meet in this exquisite setting in the heart of the beautiful Namib Desert.