Tolou’s Lodge

The stay

A stopover on the C27

Tolou’s sits on the C27, the main route between Lüderitz and Sesriem, which makes it a natural overnight for anyone linking the south with Sossusvlei. Duwisib Castle is close by.

There are seventeen chalets, all en-suite with bedding, towels and hot water, and all running on solar power with electricity points in the room. The balconies look out over the desert and are the reason photographers book here.

The restaurant serves traditional farm-style Namibian food, with picnic packs for breakfast and lunch on request if you are heading out early. There is a bar, and a roof patio for sundowners.

What to do

Why stay at Tolou’s?

For where it is. The C27 between Lüderitz and Sesriem is a long road with little on it, and Tolou’s sits in the middle of that stretch — so if you are linking the far south with Sossusvlei, this is the overnight that makes the drive work. Duwisib Castle is close by.

It is also one of the very few lodges in this part of Namibia that will take pets. If you are travelling with a dog, that narrows your options to almost nothing, and this is one of them. Permission must be arranged when you book, and they come at your own risk.

The lodge itself is straightforward and friendly — their own line is “arrive as guests, depart as friends” — with farm-style Namibian cooking, a bar and a roof patio for sundowners. It runs entirely on solar.

The honest part: this is not near Sesriem. Sossusvlei is a day trip from here rather than a morning run. If first light at Deadvlei is the point of the trip, Sossus Dune Lodge is inside the gate and we will say so.

Before you book

• Pets are allowed, but only with prior permission arranged at booking, and at your own risk
• Guests may camp next to the chalets if they prefer — ask us about rates for that
• Only two family chalets, so ask early
• Picnic packs for breakfast and lunch are available on request — order the day before if you are heading out early
• The nature drives are guided only; the terrain is too rough for self-drive
• The lodge runs on solar power
• Park entry fees for Sossusvlei are payable at the gate

Activities

• Guided nature and sundowner drives across the property
• Self-guided hiking trails for exploring on your own
• Birdwatching at the bird dam
• Sundowners from the roof patio
• Photography from the chalet balconies
• Day trips to Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon
• Duwisib Castle, nearby

Things to see

• The bird dam — a large variety of birds, plus oryx, steenbok and ostrich
• Duwisib Castle, the 1909 fortress built by Hans Heinrich von Wolf
• Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, as a day trip
• Sesriem Canyon
• Desert horizons from the chalet balconies

Facilities

• Restaurant serving traditional farm-style Namibian meals
• Bar
• Roof patio for sundowners
• Picnic packs on request
• Solar power throughout, with electricity points in the chalets

Getting there

• On the C27, the main route between Lüderitz and Sesriem
• Near Duwisib Castle, in southern Namibia
• A natural overnight if you are linking the far south with Sossusvlei
• Gravel roads — allow more time than the distance suggests