Accommodation at the 'Lodge' part of Little Sossus Lodge and Campsite consists of 20 individual stone and screed chalets with corrugated iron roofing in the classic Afrikaaner farmstead style. Cool and dark against the searing white light of the desert the chalets have a homemadey feel to them from the curtain separating the living from the en suite bathroom to the four-poster drapes and wrought-iron furniture.

The main lodge is built in similar style with a large stone bar counter, comfy sofas and shaded seating around that all-essential item - a swimming pool. The lodge offers a menu featuring homegrown produce, a decent selection of South African wines and there's always wild venison and good Namibian beef to look forward to.

Little Sossus Lodge is surrounded by the pure white grasses of the Namib Desert with the indigo shadows of the Naukluft range forming a dramatic backdrop. Acacias dot the plains, beacons of vitality in the paper-dry air.

Lacking some attention to detail, it's a basic lodge that really offers just that - the basics. This could do for a night if you don't have high expectations but you can look forward to the views and the serenity same as every other lodge in this vast and oh-so-very-old desert.

Little Sossus Campsite is an good option for self-drive campers. Situated inside their private reserve, each campsite has its own ablutions with hot water and flushing toilets, private kitchen and washing facilities, a shaded area and electrical points. Hardly camping at all, really, but in fact you get the best of both worlds: sleeping under the stars but with all the vital comforts of home.