Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Namibia: The African getaway of travel dreams

There's no Big Five viewing and days can be hot and languorous. But the peace, isolation and the darkest of skies may be the transformative African getaway of travel dreams.

After a $4.3 million, nine-month renovation-verging-on-rebuild, &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in Namibia has reopened. It offers striking luxury within a majestically remote setting – the NamibRand Nature Reserve, one of Southern Africa's largest private conservation areas..

The 20-year-old resort has been transformed to maximise guests' sense of connection to the surrounding desert landscape with an an architectural style that is designed to meld with it.

The new buildings comprise a series of glass, rock and steel pavilions built to withstand the extreme elements while providing high-end luxury.

The 10 glass-fronted suites with their own plunge pools spread out along the curve of an escarpment, have been reconfigured to increase their physical footprint. Skylights over beds have also been expanded to take more advantage of those spectacular skies.

The new Star Dune Suite, designed for families, has two ensuite bedrooms linked by a private lounge and dining area.

Reconfiguration has also almost doubled the size of the lodge's guest areas with a new gym and spa area as well as an interactive kitchen, part of a parallel refocus of hospitality and experience offerings.

Activities include exploring surrounding landscapes by vehicle, on foot or by quad bike and a resident astronomer is also on hand to enhance the experience of those night skies.

From around $950 a person night, twin share, including meals, drinks, transfers and activities. See andbeyond.com