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Sossusvlei situated in Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft Nationwide Park is among the most spectacular and best-known points of interest in Southern Africa. An absolute dream to go to with a digicam, the unbelievable surroundings makes anybody appear like an expert photographer! The identify Sossusvlei is commonly used to check with a big space within the park together with well-known websites equivalent to Dune 45, Deadvlei, Massive Daddy, and Sesriem Canyon, this is among the main customer points of interest of Namibia. Massive Daddy is the best dune within the park.
The massive crimson sand dunes within the park have at all times been excessive on my world journey bucket checklist and the unreal panorama didn’t disappoint! Sossusvlei is a big, white salt and clay pan surrounded by large crimson sand dunes, situated within the Namib Desert.
Documentaries, images, and magazines at all times left me with the concept most of Namibia is a desert, coated in these majestic dunes. On our honeymoon we explored Namibia driving and tenting for greater than two months. Driving hundreds of kilometers we have been questioning the place are the sand dunes. We lastly discovered these spectacular landscapes at Sossusvlei. See our Full Namibia Highway Journey Itinerary for loads of tips about planning a visit to Namibia.
What’s Sossusvlei?
The identify “Sossusvlei” roughly interprets into “dead-end marsh”. A vlei is a marsh in Afrikaans. That is the place the place sand dunes come collectively and stop the Tsauchab River to circulation any additional, within the dry Namib Desert the River nonetheless seldom flows this far leading to a dry pan most years. Though the world is named Sossusvlei, the Deadvlei might be the primary attraction to go to within the park. Sossusvlei is unquestionably probably the greatest locations to go to in Namibia.
The way to Go to Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon
Sesriem is a small settlement near the southern finish of the Naukluft Mountains within the Namib Desert. To go to Sossusvlei, Sesriem Canyon, Dune 45, the Deadvlei, and the opposite Namib points of interest it’s important to enter the Namib-Naukluft Nationwide Park on the Sesriem gate and drive about 60 kilometers.
Attending to Sesriem Gate
Driving to Sesriem the roads in Namibia are unpaved, gravel roads. You don’t want a 4×4 car, however a automobile with good floor clearance helps and I’ll advocate not driving quick on these gravel roads. Flat tires are quite common and under-car insurance coverage for leases is price trying into. Most individuals journey to Sesriem from Windhoek or Swakopmund, each these journeys take round 5 hours, and there are a number of completely different route choices to drive.
Excursions to Sesriem and exploring Sossusvlei can be found from Windhoek and Swakopmund. You may also be a part of an overland truck on a Namibian expedition from Cape City or as a part of an overland tour exploring extra of Africa!
If after visiting Sossusvlei and spending a while driving via the desert you are feeling like chilling by the seaside I can advocate spending a few days in Swakopmund. It’s an incredible place with many superb issues to do.
Automobile required to Go to Sossusvlei
From Sesriem gate, there’s a good tar street for about 60 km into the park that may be pushed with any car. After 60 km you’ll attain a parking space for Sossusvlei, solely 4×4 autos can proceed from right here to the Useless Vlei parking space on a sandy monitor for about 5 km. Should you don’t have a 4×4 car, you may park right here and proceed by a shuttle run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. We explored Namibia in our little Terios 4×4 car and have been high quality within the sand. Many individuals renting autos should not skilled in driving within the sand and get caught there. Keep in mind to deflate your tires to about 1.5 bar and attempt to drive with out stopping within the 4×4/low vary in the identical gear.
Sesriem Gate Entrance and Charges
There are two completely different gates to entry the park; the outer gates and the interior gates. The Sesriem gate (outer gate) to enter the Nationwide Park and the campsite opens at dawn and closes at sundown. The Sesriem campsite has its personal entrance (interior gate) to the park which opens one hour earlier than the primary gate. Guests staying contained in the park can thus drive earlier than dawn to the dunes. The drive to Dune 45 is 45 km on street from the doorway. The one approach to see the dawn from the dunes is thus to remain contained in the park. We stayed outdoors the park, we have been on the gate greater than an hour earlier than opening and have been the primary automobile via the gate. They opened the gate at nightfall so we arrived at Dune 45 throughout dawn as you may see in our dawn pics. For the most effective dawn and sundown photos, it’s price staying contained in the park.
To enter the Namib-Naukluft Nationwide Park at Sesriem prices 100 NAD ($6.70) per particular person for non-residents and 50 NAD for SADC residents plus 10 NAD per car (2023). The doorway charge is legitimate for twenty-four hours, so it’s potential to enter within the afternoon, see the sundown, and return the following morning for dawn. Sundown and dawn are the most effective occasions to go to the dunes.
What time does the Sesriem Gate open?
The gate opens at dawn, so time will depend upon what time of the 12 months you go to Sossusvlei. The opening and shutting time modifications each month and stays the identical for the entire month. The opening time is shifted in 30 min intervals (e.g. 06:00, 06:30, 07:00, and so on). Should you ask on the camp the place you might be staying they’ll have the ability to inform you the occasions throughout your keep.
Sossusvlei Excursions
The best, stress-free approach to go to Sossusvlei is with a tour, they’re obtainable from Windhoek and Swakopmund. You may also be a part of an overland truck on a Namibian expedition from Cape City or as a part of an overland tour exploring extra of Africa!
- Two-Day Guided Tour from Swakopmund. Get picked up out of your resort, keep in a luxurious tented camp discover Swakopmund, Moon panorama, Welwitschia Crops, Solitaire Moon Mountain, Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Massive Daddy, Dune 45, Elim Dune, Sesriem, Solitaire to Swakopmund.
- 6-Day Dunes and Wildlife Accommodated Safari from Windhoek. – Wonderful Namibia itinerary together with a number of Etosha sport drives, exploring Sossusvlei and the Skeleton coast.
- 10-Day Namibia Highlights Guided Tour from Windhoek
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Finest Time to go to Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft Nationwide Park
Could to October is winter and the dry season in Namibia, that is the most effective time to go to with decrease temperatures, no rain, and clear skies.
Autumn or spring can also be time to go to Namib-Naukluft Park with clear skies, good pictures circumstances, and milder temperatures.
The perfect occasions of the day to go to Sossusvlei are through the early morning and late afternoon when the sunshine is finest for pictures and the temperatures are cooler.
Sossusvlei Dunes
The Sossusvlei space in southern Namib is understood for its excessive sand dunes of vivid pink-to-orange colour, the oldest dunes are these of extra deep reddish colour. Dune 45 is the most photographed dune in Namibia whereas Massive Daddy is the best dune in Namib Naukluft Park. The dunes within the space are among the many highest on the earth; some larger than 200 meters. The extra secure dunes are partially coated with some vegetation. Preserve a watch out within the park for animals equivalent to fog beetles, small reptiles, rodents, jackals, birds, oryxes, springboks, and ostriches. Lots of the dunes are named the gap they’re from the doorway, equivalent to Dune 1 which is 1 km from the gate, and Dune 45, 45 km from the gate.
Elim Dune
Elim Dune is the closest dune to go to the Sesriem campsite. It’s a comparatively remoted, excessive sand dune situated 5 km previous the Sesriem gate, on a department of the primary street to Sossusvlei. The dune is known as after a farm that was once within the space earlier than the Nationwide Park was established. Elim is 100m excessive so about 30% the peak of Massive Daddy. It’s a nice dune to cease for morning images since you’ll get right here early for good gentle and with most individuals driving on to Dune 45 there shouldn’t be crowds. Being near the campsite whenever you arrive is right for sundown, you may even stroll right here.
Dune 45
Dune 45 is among the most photographed dunes on the earth and a spotlight to go to within the Sossusvlei space of the Namib Desert. Photographs of this spectacular crimson dune with its curvy shadows draw many vacationers from all around the world to Namibia. It’s a difficult climb for a lot of, standing over 170 m tall, and takes about 40 minutes to climb and 5 minutes to run down. The crimson colour is attributed to iron oxide washed from the Kalahari into the Atlantic Ocean and carried to Sossusvlei by a mixture of ocean currents and wind. Most individuals drive right here as quickly as they enter the park to attempt to take dawn images.
Dune 45 is good to climb for sundown and later within the day is an effective time to take photos of this dune with its well-known shadow. Since Dune 45 is situated proper subsequent to the street it is vitally accessible for taking images. We entered the park at Nightfall and drove straight to Dune 45 on the 45 km tar street, we ran up the dune and nonetheless had an incredible expertise whereas the solar was rising.
Massive Daddy Dune
That is the best dune within the park about 325m excessive, it was a couple of 15-minute stroll to the bottom of the Massive Daddy dune from the automobile to start out climbing. We have been right here in December and climbed Dune 45 first for the dawn earlier than shifting on to Massive Daddy. It was a highly regarded day, so take sufficient water. Climbing Massive Daddy to the highest took about half-hour offering some good views, to be rewarded with the spectacular panoramic views of the Deadvlei and the Namib following the slender ridge on high of this large dune. We ran down in minutes to the superb Deadvlei a very enjoyable expertise. To stroll from the automobile, climb Massive Daddy and return via the Deadvlei to our automobile took greater than 90 minutes, we spent a while having fun with the unreal environment and taking numerous images of this superb website within the Namib desert.
At 325 meters excessive, Massive Daddy is the best dune in Sossusvlei, however not the best in Namib, the best dune within the Namib desert is Dune 7 outdoors Swakopmund at about 388 meters excessive.
Attending to Massive Daddy and the Deadvlei
Entry to Sossusvlei, Massive Daddy Dune, and the Deadvlei is from the Deadvlei parking space.
The drive from the Sesriem Park entrance to the two×4 Sossusvlei parking is 60 km and takes 1 hour. The street from Sossusvlei parking to Deadvlei parking is 4 km and may solely be pushed with a 4×4 car. Should you don’t have a 4×4 or don’t need to threat getting caught within the sand, park your automobile and take the safari shuttle service supplied shuttle run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts for $NAM 150 ($11) return. It’s only 4 km so it’s potential to stroll, however within the warmth and the sand permit 1h 30 min for the stroll, keep in mind you have to nonetheless get again after climbing Massive Daddy! carry lots of water. Hitchhiking the final 4 km isn’t an incredible choice since no one needs to cease within the sand and threat getting caught, in case you do that stand and hitch on the Sossusvlei parking space you may nonetheless take a shuttle if you don’t get a experience.
Deadvlei
You don’t have to climb Massive Daddy to get to the Deadvlei, there’s a pathway to the facet of the dune. After coming down Massive Daddy we walked again to our automobile this fashion. It’s about 1 km from Deadvlei to the parking space strolling on the pathway subsequent to the dune. There are not any ‘services’ on the Deadvlei parking space, so take sufficient water and snacks. There are bushes offering some shade however the bathroom services listed below are very fundamental.
Deadvlei (Afrikaans for ‘lifeless marsh’) is a big clay pan characterised by darkish, lifeless camel thorn bushes contrasted towards the white pan ground, surrounded by the massive rusty crimson dunes. The pan was shaped when the Tsauchab River flooded and enough water allowed camel thorn bushes to develop. The local weather modified, sand dunes shaped blocking the river from reaching the world.
The Deadvlei is a superb place for taking images. The distinction between the black bushes, white pans, rusty-red dunes, and deep blue sky makes for unbelievable photographs.
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei, just like the Deadvlei, is a big clay mattress, it’s surrounded by comparatively small sand dunes. Sossusvlei is situated near the Deadvlei solely separated by a slender sand ridge and can also be reached by strolling from the Sossusvlei parking space. Throughout a really wet season, the Tsauchab fills the pan at Sossusvlei, drawing guests from all around the world to witness the glassy “lake” holding reflections of the encompassing dunes. On uncommon occurrences when the pan fills it may well maintain water for so long as a 12 months. Sossusvlei solely fills with water each 5 to 10 years.
Hiddenvlei
Entry to the Hiddenvlei is from the two×4 Sossusvlei parking space (60 km from the Sesriem campsite), and the hike to Hiddenvlei is a 4 km roundtrip stroll from the parking space. There are some indicators, however it’s not very effectively marked, simply look out for footprints of earlier guests and carry sufficient water. We had all the hike to ourselves, even late morning. The clay pan amongst the sand dunes is gorgeous, with some bushes scattered throughout the spectacular panorama. The return hike to HIddenvlei takes about 1 hour and half-hour.
Sesriem Canyon
Sesriem Canyon is situated about 4.5km from the park entrance. The canyon is not very massive however is gorgeous. Search for the signal contained in the Sesriem campsite. The Tsauchab River has formed the Canyon over tens of millions of years and it is among the few locations within the space that holds water all 12 months spherical. It’s a couple of kilometer (0.6 miles) lengthy and as much as 30 meters (100 ft) deep. The identify Sesriem (Afrikaans for six belts) was given by Afrikaans settlers who needed to connect collectively six oryx disguise belts with the intention to attain buckets down into the canyon to scoop up water. The Sesriem Canyon may be very slender, solely two meters (6.5 ft) extensive in some locations, and has a portion that completely comprises water, which many animals use.
Lodging at Sossusvlei
There are numerous lodging choices, starting from fundamental tenting to luxurious lodges round Sossusvlei. Choices to remain contained in the park are nonetheless restricted. The easy Sesriem campsite is the one funds choice and for an opulent keep, guide the fashionable Sossus Dune Lodge or the pretty new Useless Valley Lodge, each Nambia Wildlife Resort (NWR) services.
Sesriem Campsite
The campsite is situated contained in the Namib-Naukluft Nationwide Park proper subsequent to the Sossus vlei entrance with a central swimming pool, a fundamental store for provides, and a bar. There may be not lots of shade, however some shade is obtainable by camel thorn bushes. The Sesriem Relaxation Camp has no rooms obtainable, solely tenting, you have to carry all your individual tenting and cooking gear. At Sesriem, the campsites have their very own barbeque space and electrical factors, so you may braai at your tent. There may be lots of house and the campsites are far aside. The Sesriem campsite presents shared ablutions.
Sesriem Campsite worth – At NAD 550 ($37) per particular person (April 2023) this campsite isn’t low-cost for what is obtainable, however that is the funds choice if you wish to see the dawn from the dunes. We camped for two months across the nation, see all our favourite campsites in Namibia.
Sesriem has 44 campsites obtainable. As a consequence of its location contained in the park, this campsite may be very fashionable, particularly through the excessive season, and within the season guests ought to make reservations upfront with Namibia Wildlife Resorts to keep away from disappointment. For room lodging contained in the park at Sesriem take a look at Sossus Dune Lodge or Useless Valley Lodge.
Sossus Dune Lodge
Sossus Dune Lodge at Sossusvlei presents high-quality, luxurious lodging at Sesriem Namibia contained in the Namib-Naukluft Nationwide Park.
Useless Valley Lodge
The Useless Valley Lodge is a brand new luxurious lodge situated contained in the Namib-Naukluft Nationwide Park opened in 2019. Lodging at Useless Valley Lodge is supplied in luxurious tented chalets. Ebook The Useless Valley Lodge
Lodging outdoors the park
When to go to Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei could be visited all 12 months lengthy. It’s good to enter the park and go to the dunes within the morning when it’s cool and the sand isn’t scorching but. The sunshine can also be nice for taking images with superb shadows. Attempt to keep away from the warmth of the afternoon. From Could to October, it’s winter in Namibia and temperatures are barely decrease which makes it extra bearable.
Suggestions for Visiting Sossus Vlei
- The perfect time for taking images is at dawn or sundown when the shadows make the dunes spectacular. Don’t miss the superb crimson dunes at dawn!
- Take sufficient water with you, it’s scorching, you would possibly stroll far and there’s no water on the market on the Deadvlei.
- Expertise dawn and sundown with out breaking apart your tent early within the morning, solely paying for one evening and day within the park. Right here is how: pay for one evening’s tenting and sooner or later (24 hours) within the park. Enter the park early (about lunchtime), pay for entrance+tenting, discover Sesriem Canyon, and the dunes, see Dune 45 at sundown, subsequent morning rise up early to see the dawn from Dune 45. Go and break up your tent and go away the park in 24 hours.
- If you wish to be self-reliant, with smaller crowds go together with a 4WD car.
- Drop your tire stress to 1.5 bar for driving over sand. There’s a petrol station simply outdoors the primary entrance gate at Sesriem the place you may inflate your tires once more.
- The 2WD automobile park has clear bathrooms, and the 4WD automobile park at Sossusvlei has pit bathrooms.
- Take a hat, sunscreen, and a digicam.
Touring in Namibia
Renting a four wheel drive car and doing a street journey throughout Namibia is an especially fashionable self-drive African journey. This manner you may have lots of freedom and plan your journey the best way you need to do it. You may discover extra of Namibia past the favored vacationer vacation spot. Go to the huge wetlands of the Caprivi Strip, Epupar Falls, and villages of the indigenous Himba individuals.
We’d love to listen to from you, so don’t be shy to remark give options or ask questions!
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The robust half of Stingy Nomads, a nomadic aquaman that will be completely happy to spend all his life within the water diving, browsing and spearfishing however usually has to compromise with Alya and go mountain climbing as a substitute. Campbell is chargeable for all our marine adventures and following them with write-ups. He loves touring, braai (BBQ in South Africa), crimson wine and spending the day in a wetsuit.
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