Sossusvlei

Located in the Namib-Naukluft Park, Sossusvlei is a prime destination in Namibia showcasing mammoth sand dunes up to 325 in height. The area features towering rusty red sand dunes, bleached white clay pans with dead camel thorn trees and mysterious fairy circles.

These so-called star-shaped dunes come in a myriad of red and orange shades and were formed by aeons of forceful winds whipping past in different directions. The most sought after subject of the dunes for artists and photographers are best viewed at the break and the end of the day when the warm tones of the dunes are starkly contrasted against the glaring pale surfaces of the large clay pans that lies prostate at their bases.

“Home to the world’s tallest dunes”

Sossusvlei is located in the Namib Desert, in the west of Namibia. To access to the region you have to enter the Sesriem National Park which forms a part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, after which all the attractions can be accessed from a road that takes you to Sossusvlei.

Only the last 5 km of the 65 kilometer drive to the Vlei are not tarred, however shuttles are available to take you across the last 5 km.

Brief information about Sossusvlei

Size – 49,768 (19,216 sq.mi) Namib-Naukluft National Park

Founded – 1979 (Namib-Naukluft National Park)

Best time to visit – All year

Highlights of Sossusvlei

Probably the most popular tourist site in Namibia and found inside the Namib-Naukluft National Park
Excellent photogenic opportunities at sunrise and sunset
Climb the second tallest sand dune in the world
Participate in Hot air ballooning over the area which is a once in a lifetime opportunity to remember
Plenty of accommodation options in the area found outside the park and range from lodges to camping.

Directly after entering the Namib-Naukluft National Park, you will notice a road which leads approximately 4.5 km to the Sesriem Canyon. The Canyon was shaped by the Tsauchab River over the course of million years and it was this river flowing through the canyon that once gave life to the now dried out pans of the Deadvlei and Sossusvlei.

You can descend into the Sesrien Canyon to take a walk along its usually dry riverbed and explore its interesting rock formations. It is only during times of heavy rain that the canyon holds water in some places.

Further down the road and deeper into the park, you enter a world of towering sand dunes which some of them thought to be amongst the largest in the world. Dune 45 is a particularly notable beautiful dune, named rather unimaginatively after its distance from the entrance gate which 45 km, this 85 m high dune is one of the most popular dunes for travelers to climb as the view of the surrounding desert landscape presented from the top is awe-inspiring. It is the most photographed dune in the world thanks to its remarkable shape and accessibility.

After a further 15 km the comfortable tarred road you are on ends and the 5 km 4×4 section taking you to the Deadvlei and Sossusvlei begins, here there are parking facilities for visitors to park their vehicles and travel the last section by a shuttle. Travelers who are more experience with 4×4 driving can drive the upcoming off-road section themselves, provided they have the correct vehicle.

Both the Deadvlei and Sossusvlei are clay pans which, hundreds of year ago were supplied with water by The Tsauchab River. However, the climate changed, and the sand dunes encroached on the pans thus blocking the river from reaching the area and causing the pans to dry out.

Although the Sossusvlei Pan is more famous by name, it is the Deadvlei which is most commonly visited and photographed. When there water, camel thorn trees grew here, but once the pan dried up these trees began to die. Still they remain here, over 700 years later, their dark appearance in stark contrast to the cracked white pan. Their dead branches reach out as like they are calling for help, it creates a surreal atmosphere. Due to the lack of moisture in the regions, the trees do not decompose, instead they stand like statues, just as they have stood for hundreds of years.

On your journey, you might also notice around barren patches of ground along the way. If you do, then you have probably discovered the mysterious fairy circles. For so many years, what exactly causes the strange circles to appear has for many years been studied and debated. As a result, various theories regarding their origin exist ranging from termites to different toxins in the ground. But the most poetic explanation perhaps belongs to the local inhabitants of the region who call them the footprints of the gods. What the cause might be, they add more mystery to this breathtaking area.

The region surrounding Sossusvlei offers a number of excursion for visitors to enjoy, you can choose from quad biking in the Sossusvlei dunes to nature walks, to hot air balloon flights, scenic microlight flights and so much more offering you a chance to experience the desert’s beauty from all angles.

Wildlife and Plant Life in Sossusvlei

It is easy think that there is nothing surviving in the Sossusvlei due to its harsh environment, but this is not the case. The region protects plants and animals including both and big and small calling the region home, the species have developed ingenious ways of surviving, even thriving in this desert landscape.

Some of the animals and birds in the region include

Oryx – these might be spotted standing atop a sand dune
Ostrich – the largest bird in the world and can often be seen on the way to Sossusvlei
Toktokkie – these beetles collect fog on their bodies which then condensates, providing them with water
Camel Thorn Tree – these legendary trees’ roots can reach a depth of 60 m in order to obtain water

Where to stay in Sossusvlei

There are plenty of different accommodation options available to the area, ranging from campsites to self-catering accommodations, from basic lodges and tented camps to luxurious accommodations which will make you enjoy your stay and have a perfect home away from home.

However, the number of accommodations within the park’s boundary are limited to a few of lodges and a main campsite.

The advantage of staying within the park’s borders is that it allows you to enter the main park one hour earlier than if you were staying outside the park, this is particularly enticing option for photographers.

It is possible to visit Sossusvlei as part of a self-driver tour or a guided tour. If you go on a self-drive tour, you have an option of booking a guided trip to the Sossusvlei region.