In the cool of morning and evening, the resident naturalist will take you in four-wheel drive open vehicles to explore the open grass plains, fossilised sand dunes and orange sand dune belts of the NamibRand Nature Reserve.

In the desert, many of the real attractions are small and well-camouflaged, and may easily be missed. Guided walks are available or you may explore on your own along marked walking trails.

From the height of a hot-air balloon ride, the view of the orange dunes and seas of dune grass is unparalleled. This bird's-eye view of the desert is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Hot-air ballooning over the Namib is an optional extra (weather permitting).

More exciting optional extras are a guided 4x4 excursion to spectacular Sossusvlei, site of the highest sand dunes on earth. You may also choose to go on guided 4x4 excursions to Sesriem Canyon or the famous Sossusvlei pans, resting place of the Tsauchab River. Excursions on ATVs (automatic, all-terrain, four-wheel motorcycles) are also available.

For stargazers, the crisp, dry desert air provides unrivalled opportunities to be mesmerised by the Milky Way. Tribute to its prime position is Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge's own observatory, housing the most powerful electronic telescope in Namibia outside the National Observatory. Knowledgeable field guides will direct you through the southern skies and tell of the expanding cosmos.