At a glance
- Best for
- Photography, hiking, stargazing and desert scenery
- Nearest town
- Sesriem, the park gateway
- Time needed
- Two nights
- Best season
- April to October, cooler days
- Park
- Namib Naukluft National Park
- Getting around
- Own vehicle, then park shuttle or guided four by four
Why visit Sossusvlei
No photo prepares you for the scale. The dunes rise hundreds of metres above the valley floor, their colour shifting from deep red at sunrise to pale apricot at midday. The silence is total, the skies at night are thick with stars, and climbing a dune at dawn is one of the great travel experiences in Africa.
The main sights
The paved park road runs from the **Sesriem gate** around sixty kilometres to the dunes. Along it, **Dune 45** is the easy, classic sunrise climb. At the end of the tar, a sandy track continues to the pans: you can switch to the park shuttle or drive yourself only with a capable four by four and experience in soft sand.
**Deadvlei** is a short walk across the sand from the shuttle stop. The dead trees, the white clay and the red dunes behind make an almost surreal scene, best in the early morning before the light turns flat. **Big Daddy**, the tall dune above Deadvlei, takes an hour or more to climb and rewards you with a long run down into the pan. **Sossusvlei** itself sometimes holds water after rare good rains, which draws birds and crowds of photographers.
Near the gate, **Sesriem Canyon** is a narrow gorge carved by the Tsauchab River, cool and shady for a short walk. **Elim Dune** is close to the gate and good for sunset.
Timing your visit
Inside the park there are camps with earlier gate access, so guests can reach the dunes for sunrise and stay for sunset. Staying outside means waiting for the main gate to open, which usually costs you the best light. Confirm current gate times with Namibia Wildlife Resorts or the park office, as they change with the seasons.
Midday in summer is brutally hot. Start at dawn, carry plenty of water, wear a hat and closed shoes, and be back in the shade by late morning.
Where to stay
**Sossus Dune Lodge** and the **Sesriem Campsite**, run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts, are inside the park gate. Just outside are many lodges and campsites, from simple camping to luxury desert lodges in the **NamibRand Nature Reserve**, a private reserve and International Dark Sky Reserve with superb stargazing. Book months ahead for the dry season.
Nearby
**Solitaire**, a tiny roadside settlement, is famous for its bakery and apple crumble. The **Naukluft Mountains** to the east have tough hiking trails, and **Duwisib Castle**, a stone castle built by a German baron, sits far to the south. The road on to Swakopmund crosses the Gaub and Kuiseb passes and the Tropic of Capricorn.
Getting there
From Windhoek, allow five to six hours via the C26 or C24 gravel roads, many of which wind through mountain passes. Fill up with fuel where you can, as stations are few and sometimes run dry. Scenic flights and fly in packages are available for those short of time.
Questions about Sossusvlei
How many days do I need at Sossusvlei?
Two nights is ideal: arrive in the afternoon for Sesriem Canyon and sunset, spend the next morning at Deadvlei and the dunes, and leave the following day without rushing the drive.
Do I need a four by four to reach Deadvlei?
Not if you use the park shuttle from the end of the tar road. Only drive the final sandy stretch yourself if you have a capable four by four and experience in deep sand.
Which is better for sunrise, Dune 45 or Big Daddy?
Dune 45 is easier, closer to the gate and very photogenic. Big Daddy is much harder, but the view and the run down into Deadvlei are worth it if you are fit.
Is it worth staying inside the park gate?
Yes, if you can get a booking. Staying inside gives earlier access to the dunes for sunrise and later exit after sunset, when the light is best.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
