Namib Desert · between Solitaire and Sesriem

Desert Grace

Namib Desert, Namibia

A design lodge in the desert between Solitaire and Sesriem, where all twenty-four bungalows have a private plunge pool and sun terrace on the veranda — not just the expensive ones.

The stay

Every bungalow has its own plunge pool

Most lodges out here have one pool and everybody shares it. Desert Grace put a plunge pool and a sun terrace on the veranda of all twenty-four bungalows, so after a morning climbing Big Daddy you can get into cold water without walking anywhere or talking to anyone.

The buildings themselves are unusual. They were built from sandbags rather than brick, which sounds rough and is not — the walls are thick, heavily insulated against desert extremes, and finished inside with a sharp modern interior that sits in deliberate contrast to the earth-toned exterior. The lodge has a strong design identity, with pink parasols and furniture set against the sand.

Dinners and breakfasts are buffet style in the restaurant, there is a lounge and bar for the hours when the sun makes everything else unappealing, and an ice cream trolley does the rounds. The whole place is built at ground level and is accessible to wheelchair users.

Desert Grace bungalows in the Namib Desert

Private veranda with plunge pool

Where you will sleep

Accommodation at Desert Grace

Twenty-four bungalows in three layouts. Air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom, private veranda and plunge pool come as standard in every one.

Desert Grace bungalows in the Namib Desert

Sandbag-built bungalows blending into the dunes

Private veranda with plunge pool

Double bungalow interior at Desert Grace

En-suite shower room in a bungalow

Twin bungalow with two single beds

Sun terrace and desert views from a veranda

Family bungalow with two bedrooms

Double Bungalow

Ten of the twenty-four bungalows are made up with a double bed, for two people.
Like every room here it has a private veranda with its own plunge pool and sun terrace looking out over the desert. Inside there is air-conditioning and heating, an en-suite bathroom with a shower, a minibar and mini fridge, tea and coffee facilities, a safe, a music centre, a hairdryer and basic toiletries.

Doubles and twins are the same bungalow made up differently, so say which you want when you enquire rather than leaving it to chance.

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Double bungalow interior at Desert Grace

En-suite shower room in a bungalow

Twin bungalow with two single beds

Sun terrace and desert views from a veranda

Family bungalow with two bedrooms

Bedroom in a family bungalow

Lounge, bar and swimming pool at Desert Grace

Dunes and desert around the lodge

Twin Bungalow

Another ten bungalows are made up with two single beds, again for two people.
Identical in every other respect to the doubles: private veranda with plunge pool and sun terrace, air-conditioning and heating, en-suite shower room, minibar, mini fridge, tea and coffee facilities, safe, music centre, hairdryer and toiletries.

With ten of each, twins are usually straightforward to get, but it is still worth stating your preference at the time of enquiry.

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Sun terrace and desert views from a veranda

Family bungalow with two bedrooms

Bedroom in a family bungalow

Lounge, bar and swimming pool at Desert Grace

Dunes and desert around the lodge

Desert Grace bungalows in the Namib Desert

Sandbag-built bungalows blending into the dunes

Private veranda with plunge pool

Family Bungalow

Four of the bungalows have two separate bedrooms, each made up with either a double bed or twin beds, sleeping up to four.
They share the same private veranda with its plunge pool and sun terrace, and have the same air-conditioning and heating, en-suite bathroom facilities, minibar, mini fridge, tea and coffee facilities, safe, music centre, hairdryer and toiletries.

Two proper bedrooms rather than beds crammed into one room makes a real difference on a long trip. There are only four, so ask early if you need one.

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What to do

Why stay at Desert Grace?

Because you will spend more time at the lodge than you expect. The plan is always to be out at the dunes from dawn to dusk; the reality, once the temperature climbs, is an afternoon in your own plunge pool. Somewhere that gives every room its own is worth paying attention to.

It is also one of the few places on this road that has been properly designed rather than simply built. The sandbag construction, the modern interiors and the pink furniture against the sand give it a character that the more conventional lodges out here do not have.

On the honest side: the lodge sits between Solitaire and Sesriem, outside the park, so the gate opens at sunrise and the drive to Sossusvlei is a proper morning’s undertaking. If dawn light on the dunes is the whole reason for your trip, say so when you enquire and we will tell you straight what the in-park options cost.

The lodge runs its own dune drives, e-bike trails and walking trails into the surrounding Gondwana Namib Park, so there is a full day’s worth to do without driving to the gate at all.

Good to know

Every bungalow has a private plunge pool, not just the premium ones
There is a shared swimming pool at the main lodge as well
Buffet breakfasts and dinners are served in the restaurant
An ice cream trolley does the rounds in the heat of the day
Built at ground level and accessible for wheelchair users
Airstrip transfers can be arranged for fly-in guests

Activities

Half-day Sossusvlei excursion
Morning or afternoon dune drive into the Gondwana Namib Park
Guided scorpion night walk
Guided e-bike trails
Walking trails from the lodge
Hot air balloon rides over the desert
Self-drive outings to everything in the area

Things to see

Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and Hidden Vlei
Dune 45, Big Daddy and Big Momma
Sesriem Canyon
The Namib-Naukluft Park
Solitaire

Facilities

Restaurant serving buffet breakfast and dinner
Bar and lounge
Swimming pool
Curio shop
Wi-Fi in the main area, plus mobile signal
Secure parking at the main lodge
Wheelchair friendly throughout

Getting there

On the C19 between Solitaire and Sesriem
Roughly 60 km north of the Sesriem gate
Airstrip transfers available
Gravel roads throughout — allow more time than the distance suggests

Dunes and desert around the lodge

Lounge, bar and swimming pool at Desert Grace

Photos

Desert Grace in pictures

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Video

Desert Grace on film

A look around Desert Grace before you book.

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Check availability at Desert Grace

Send us your dates and number of people and one of our team — a real person — will reply with the best price, and honest advice if another option would suit you better, or if this one is not available on the dates you want.

You pay the lodge's own rate. Our service costs you nothing on top.

No extra fees

You pay the lodge's own rate — nothing on top.

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A person who knows this road reads every enquiry.

30+ years in Southern Africa

We have been booking this desert for decades.

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