Explore Destination · Namibia
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei safari: Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan in the Namib-Naukluft National Park in southern Namibia.
- CountryNamibia
- Best timeMay to September is the cooler season, with mild days and cold nights...
- TripsTailor-made for you
- Destinations nearby—
Sossusvlei safari: what to know
Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan in the Namib-Naukluft National Park in southern Namibia, enclosed by some of the highest sand dunes in the world. The Namib is thought to be the oldest desert on Earth, and its sand sea was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. The dunes are a deep orange-red, coloured by iron oxide, and the colour is strongest in the first and last hour of daylight.
What to know before you go
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The dunes
Dune 45, named for its distance in kilometres from the Sesriem gate, stands beside the road and is the one most people climb for sunrise. It takes 40 minutes or so to walk up the ridge. Big Daddy, at about 325 m, is the tallest dune in the area. It is a hard climb of one to two hours, and the descent is a run straight down the face into Deadvlei.
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Deadvlei
Deadvlei is a white clay pan that the river stopped reaching centuries ago when dunes cut it off. The camel thorn trees that grew there died, and in the dry air they have not rotted. Their black trunks have stood for an estimated 600 to 900 years. White floor, black trees, red dunes and blue sky make it one of the most photographed places in Africa.
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Practical notes
The road from the Sesriem gate to the pans is 65 km, tarred except for the last 5 km of deep sand, which needs a 4x4 or the park shuttle. Staying inside the gate lets you start before sunrise, ahead of visitors from outside. Carry far more water than you think you need. Nearby Sesriem Canyon, a narrow gorge about 30 m deep, is a good short walk for the hotter part of the day.
When to visit Sossusvlei
May to September is the cooler season, with mild days and cold nights and the most comfortable conditions for climbing. From October to March midday temperatures regularly pass 35°C, so activity is limited to early morning. Sossusvlei is dry and open in every month.
Where It Is
Sossusvlei and the other places we travel to nearby.
Sossusvlei
Trips to combine with Sossusvlei
We do not have a ready-made itinerary in this style yet. These trips are a good starting point, and we adapt any of them for you.
Plan Your Safari to Sossusvlei
Our team in Arusha answers in English, French, German and Spanish.
Questions about Sossusvlei
What is the difference between Sossusvlei and Deadvlei?
Sossusvlei is the pan where the Tsauchab River ends and the name used for the whole dune area. Deadvlei is a separate pan about 1 km away on foot, known for its dead camel thorn trees.
Do you need a 4x4 for Sossusvlei?
Only for the final 5 km of deep sand. The first 60 km from Sesriem is tarred, and a shuttle runs from the 2x4 car park to the pans.
How many days do you need at Sossusvlei?
Two nights. That gives one full morning for the dunes and Deadvlei and time for Sesriem Canyon, without rushing a long drive on either side.
Shall we plan your trip?
Tell us your dates and what you would like to see. A specialist in Arusha sends a route and a clear proposal within 24 hours.
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