Slowly, the sun sinks behind barren hills. The warm evening light gives the desert landscape in Namib-Naukluft Park a magical aura that seems almost unnatural. Here, where the desert with the highest dunes in the world begins, everything is pink. A girlish, romantic, almost kitschy shade of pink that doesn't even seem to fit in with this dry, arid land.
We are standing on a small hill, holding – what else – a pink gin and tonic in our hands. A warm wind caresses our skin. It is completely silent, only the slight rustling of the grass and our own breathing can be heard. A magical moment in the oldest desert on earth. Even the approach to Desert Grace Lodge promises an extraordinary accommodation. From the C19, we suddenly turn onto a bumpy track, a winding path leading through thorny scrub and dry trees into nowhere. And suddenly, a (pink) sign. "Cold drinks await you," it says. Curious, we park our pickup truck and follow the sign to a small hill. And there it stands – a large, pink refrigerator. "Please help yourself" invites us to open it and take some deliciously cold water. We then enjoy it in style on (of course) pink chairs. In the middle of nowhere. The overture gives us hope for special accommodation, and we are not disappointed. Out of nowhere, a cluster of low buildings suddenly appears. The lodge seems to be at one with the surrounding landscape, blending seamlessly into nature.
Here, too, the shade of pink that enchants the land every evening is reflected in the ambience. The staff wear pink shirts, and small pink accessories brighten up the earthy colors. Originality meets ecological sensitivity, luxury is paired with authenticity.Desert Grace was built from desert sand, and perhaps it is precisely this magic that has transferred the genetic code of the ancient Namib to a residence designed to the highest standards. Perhaps it is also the proximity to the Namib Desert with its 380-meter-high sand dunes. Perhaps it is the thrill of facing an artistically valuable death in Dead Vlei.
But one thing is certain: every evening, it will be the best seat in the house in the middle of nowhere . With a pink gin and tonic or a Lillet Wild Berry, enjoying a sundowner with a breathtaking view of the glowing landscape. Here, in the middle of Namib-Naukluft Park, not far from Sossusvlei, it is well worth making a detour to this extraordinary and special lodge.
