Namibia has some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes in the world. One of the most emblematic one is located around Sossusvlei.
In there, red sand dunes meet beautiful canyons and petrified old forests. Truly, the landscapes are so different and mysterious that you get the impression of being on another planet.
This article details how to explore the unique Sossusvlei area.
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How to reach Sossusvlei?
Sossusvlei is located 60km east of the Atlantic Ocean at the heart of the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
From Windhoek it takes 5h and 365km to reach. The road has sections that are with asphalt and others that are with dirt. Besides, some parts have very beautiful panoramas especially when reaching the mountain passes.
From Swakopmund it takes 405km and 5h30 minutes to reach.
Where to stop on the way to Sossusvlei?
Tropic of Capricorn
This makes an interesting quick stop on the way to Sossusvlei. It is located 2h30 from Swakopmund in the vicinity of Rostock.
Thus, there is a sign marking the passing of the geographic imaginary line called the Tropic of Capricorn.
It is the southernmost point where the sun can be seen directly overhead. Only 4 countries are located completely south of this line : Uruguay, New Zealand, Lesotho and Eswatini.
Enjoy a delicious Apple Pie in the isolated village of Solitaire
Stopping in Solitaire when going to Sossusvlei is a must.
First of all, at this stage you will probably need to fill up on gas. As in so many places in Namibia, this area is empty and you have probably driven hours without seeing a gas station. Make sure to fill up your tank in there
NassPacker Tip : Make sure to rent a car that has a double gas tank. It gives you more autonomy and freedom while exploring the country’s vast national parks. Our car had 2 tanks of 80L and 60L summing up to 140L. It gave us around 900km-1000km of freedom (560-620 miles).
Then, the village has a very interesting western vibe. Indeed, there are many abandoned vintage vehicles parked there. With the landscapes in the background, it really makes for great and unique pictures.
Make sure to step in the small cafeteria and ask for their home made apple pie. It is simply delicious. Also, it is such a random place to have an apple pie that you simply cannot miss the opportunity
Finally, 30 minutes away from Solitaire, you want to make sure to stop, park your vehicle and admire the amazing views that are offered to you.
Where to stay in Sossusvlei?
There are few options to stay around Sossusvlei. The best one that we recommend is to stay within the NWR Sesriem Camp. Indeed, one of the most important thing to know about is that the sunrise and sunsets are when you get the best lights over Sossusvlei dunes.
The advantage of staying in this camp is that they open the National Park gate for you 30 minutes earlier than for those who stay in other accommodations. Thus, it increases your chances to catch stunning views of the desert.
- Camp fees : 200 NAD / 13 USD per night per person
- National Park fees : 175 NAD / 12 USD per person
In case you prefer to opt for a more comfortable option, you can opt for the incredible and luxurious Dead Valley Lodge located only 750m away from the gate.
What to see in Sossusvlei?
Sesriem Canyon
Before heading into the main attraction that is Deadvlei, you want to make sure to explore its surroundings. Thus, one of the very interesting area to explore is the Sesriem Canyon.
The canyon that took millions of years to shape is located 4.5km away from the National Park entrance.
In there, you can be lucky enough to see some water. We decided to walk in the water to explore the canyon. However, beware of the stagnant water if you have any cuts as it holds lots of bacterias, mosquitoes, toads and frogs.
Sunset at Elim Dunes
One of the nice spots to catch a sunset is at Elim Dunes. In there, the sand is so soft and red that it seems unreal. The way leading there is full of wildlife. Thus, you would be very likely to see herds of oryxes and even ostriches sometimes.
The advantage of this dunes is that they are only located 5km and 10 minutes away from the camp. Since the gates of the National Park close right after the sunset, Elim Dunes are the best options to catch a nice sunset without finding yourself stranded.
Climb Big Mamma Dune
It is the tallest dune in Sossusvlei with a height of 325 meters but not the tallest in the Namib desert. The tallest one is Dune 7 where you can have an amazing quad experience.
It takes 60 kms to reach from the camp. The road is tarred all the way until the last 5kms.
In there, you will need to either deflate the tires of your 4×4 to continue or park and pay for one of the shuttle that are available there.
NassPacker Tip : Make sure to always adapt your tire pressure when changing road type in order. It will help avoid having flat tires. It also helps you to have more steering control over your vehicle. Below are the recommend tires pressures per road type :
– 2.2 on paved roads
– 1.8 on gravel roads
– 1.1 on sand
For more driving tips, read NassPacker’s ultimate guide to renting a car in Namibia.
Deadvlei and Hidden Vlei
Deadvlei is definitely the highlight of this area, if not one of the highlights of the country. Surely, it is highly likely that you have even taken your flight to Namibia convinced by pictures of Deadvlei.
No matter how many times you saw it in pictures, the reality is just stunning.
Thus, the 900 year-old petrified trees contrast with the white color of the pan, the blue color of the sky and the red color of the sand dunes.
The walk from the parking is 1km but it is really worth it. Then, you may as well take it further and explore one of the least visit valleys which is Hidden Vlei. In there, you will probably have more tranquility to maybe try to spot some wildlife.
NassPacker Tip : Make sure to reach here right after the sunset. You can catch a live time-lapse of the sun taking over the Deadvlei and chasing away the shade. This moment of the day is truly magical and not to be missed.
Dune 45
The name of the dune was given after the number of kilometers it was located from the gate. Thus, it takes 45km to reach this dune. It is probably one of the most photographed dune in the entire world. Indeed, its red sand and beautiful shape is embolden by the wind and the time of the day at which to visit.
This is also a great spot to catch a sunrise or sunset. The dune is 85 meters high which makes it a nice workout to climb.
On top you will get very nice panoramic views of the Dune Valley.
All in all, visiting Sossusvlei is an unforgettable experience that transports you right into another planet before heading back to the civilization in Windhoek or Swakopmund.
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