Sossusvlei in Namibia boasts some of the highest dunes in the world and spectacular desert scenery. It is a unique travel destination - not for everyone. It does offer those who travel there a magical safari experience characterized by wide open spaces, a star-studded night sky, and for most, a spiritual reawakening.
Need Advice?Sossusvlei is located in the largest conservation area in Africa, the Namib Naukluft Park. Though very arid, the region is blessed with plant and animal species that have adapted to the harsh conditions in this area where solitude, magnificent scenery, and a night sky where it seems possible to touch the stars are amongst the highlights travelers will experience.
Located a stone's throw from Sossusvlei, Deadvlei is characterized by the stark contrast between the surrounding red dunes, the dark dead camel thorn trees, and the white clay floor on which they stand. It is a favorite location for photographers of all skill levels.
Sesriem Canyon is a unique geological feature shaped by the Tsauchab River - located just under 5km from the entrance to Sossusvlei. Early Afrikaans travelers named it that because six leather straps had to be bound together to lower a bucket into the river below.
Dune 45 is a favorite climbing and photographic spot named for the fact that it is located 45km from the entrance gate to Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon. It is one of the highest dunes in the Sossusvlei area. The summit offers views that seem to stretch forever.
In the central Namib Desert lies a clay pan within the Namib-Naukluft National Park called Sossusvlei. “Vlei” in Afrikaans means a shallow depression filled with water. Sossusvlei is a mud pan created by a river that flows through the Namib every 5 to 10 years.
Sossusvlei offers a variety of accommodation options for such a desolate desert environment. These are our favorites.
Kulala Desert Lodge offers some of the finest accommodations available at Sossusvlei. The reserve on which it is located has a private entry gate to Namib- Naukluft National Park.
Sossusvlei lodge accommodates guests in forty-four luxury units. All units are air-conditioned and offer splendid views of the desert and the magnificent night sky.
Our range of Sossusvlei vacation options and custom trips are aimed at adventure-seekers and honeymoon couples alike.
When exploring Sossusvlei on a private overland tour with an African Sky guide, your transportation will consist of a solid 4x4 vehicle capable of navigating the harsh conditions of the Namib Desert. Air-conditioning and comfortable interiors are standard.
Suppose you are enjoying a luxurious fly-in safari. In that case, you will first reach the Namib-Naukluft National Park by light aircraft charter flight and then enjoy nature drives and activity transfers in modified open 4x4 vehicles similar to those used for game drives elsewhere in Southern Africa.
Should the charter flights be full or beyond a reasonable budget, we will arrange overland transfers to and from the lodge in question with a reputable operator that adheres to the same high standards that we do. Your comfort and safety are paramount to us.
There are no commercial flights to this remote outpost - only scheduled and private charter flights between Sossusvlei and main tourism hubs like Windhoek, Swakopmund, and Etosha. Remember that charter flights are costly and may seriously augment your traveling costs. Strict luggage restrictions also apply.
From Swakopmund and Windhoek, the overland trip to Sossusvlei is around 5 to 6 hours. The route is typically tackled in a hardy 4x4 vehicle as it passes through harsh desert landscapes. All vehicles are air-conditioned with comfortable interiors - your comfort and safety while traveling are paramount.
Sossusvlei is not as dramatically affected by the seasons as other parts of Namibia, which means that it is an excellent year-round destination. However, if one had to choose an ideal time to visit, it would be during the interim seasons: autumn, from mid-March to mid-May, and spring, from mid-August to mid-October. Temperatures are more moderate during these periods, with average maximums of 30°C - 33°C (86°F - 91°F) and minimums in the range of 10°C - 15°C (50°F - 59°F).
Winter (mid-May to mid-August) offers optimal daytime temperatures for activities, as maximums hover around a pleasant 27°C (81°F). Minimums, however, occasionally dip to the freezing point. The east wind makes an occasional pest of itself in the winter months, blasting an unseasonably hot, sandy wind across the desert en route to the coast. Luckily these nasty spells are scanty and only last a few days.
Summer can be a scorcher, particularly in the months before the rains have fallen (October & November). The mercury can push past 40°C (104°F) during this period. The inland rains cool down the interior a bit from December to February.
Sossusvlei is not located in a malaria-risk area. Therefore you should only concern yourself with anti-malaria prophylactics if you are venturing further north. Ensure that your routine vaccinations are up to date, and be cautious and attentive when enjoying moderate-risk activities like quad biking.
Sossusvlei is in the desert. Ensure that you stay hydrated (bottled mineral water is readily available at all lodges and accommodations), wear a proper hat when venturing out, and reapply sunblock as necessary. Petty crime is low to non-existent in this remote outpost. Animals are scarcely seen but prevalent - avoid feeding wild animals or approaching them.
Fauna in the Sossusvlei area is relatively rich. It mainly comprises small animals that can survive with little water, including several arthropods, small reptiles, and small mammals such as rodents or jackals. Larger animals include antelope (mainly gemsbok and springbok) and ostrich. Spotted hyenas and the occasional brown hyena are often encountered on the reserves surrounding Sossusvlei. Smaller creatures such as bat-eared foxes, black-backed jackals, porcupines, Cape foxes, and aardwolves can also be seen.
During the flood season, several migrant bird species appear along the marshes and rivers. One bird, the aptly named dune lark, has its entire global distribution limited to this area. Much of the Sossusvlei and Namib fauna is endemic and highly adapted to the specific arid features of the Namib Desert. Most notably, fog beetles - such as the Namib Desert beetle - have developed a technique for collecting water from early morning fogs through the bumps on their backs.
Sossusvlei offers a wide variety of safari activities for the avid adventurer. From hot air ballooning above the breathtaking dunes to exploring them on foot, there are many ways to enjoy this extraordinary natural phenomenon. Quad-biking is particularly popular, as guests can explore vast stretches of the area without wearing themselves out physically. Certain private game reserves along the edges of Sossusvlei also offer early morning and evening nature drives, which provide the opportunity to encounter remarkable desert-adapted critters.
Sossusvlei is also one of the finest locations for star-gazing. The luminescence of the night sky will take your breath away, and many lodges host staff well-versed in astronomy, ensuring both an informative and unforgettable stellar discovery.
The Sossusvlei area (about 32 000 km²) belongs to a broader region of Southern Namib with homogeneous features extending between the rivers Koichab and Kuiseb. This area is characterized by high dunes of vivid pink-to-orange color, indicating a high concentration of iron in the sand and consequent oxidation processes. The oldest dunes are those of a more intense reddish color. These dunes are among the world's highest; many are above 200 meters, the highest being the one nicknamed Big Daddy, about 380 meters high.
The highest and more stable dunes are partially covered with relatively rich vegetation, mainly watered by several underground and ephemeral rivers that seasonally flood the pans. The flooding creates marshes locally known as vlei; when dry, these pans look almost white due to the high salt concentration. Another significant source of water for Sossusvlei is the humidity brought by the daily morning fogs that enter the desert from the Atlantic Ocean.
