One of the best places to visit while on a Namibia tour is the enticing Sossusvlei.

Sossusvlei is located in the southern part of Namibia.  This salt and clay pan surrounded by huge red sand dunes has become a huge attraction of Namibia.  The name Sossusvlei can roughly be translated to “Dead-End Marsh”.  The sand dunes of Sossusvlei are among the oldest in the world, with many measuring a staggering 200 meters. The older the dune, the more red it appears, the red colour comes from the high concentration of iron in the sand. 

Winter in Sossusvlei can have night time temperatures as low as 10˚C and summer day time temperatures can reach a staggering 40˚C as with all deserts, the day and night temperatures vary by many degrees. 

Attractions in and around the Sossusvlei

Sesriem Canyon

“Sesriem” translated from Afrikaans means “Six Rawhide Thongs” and it is said to have been named by the Dorsland Trekkers that had to join six thongs in order to get their bucket to reach the water.  Approximately 4 km from the settlement of Sesriem, is Sesriem Canyon.  This canyon is a major tourist attraction when visiting Sossusvlei.  This natural canyon has been carved out by the Tsauchab River and is about a kilometre long and in places it is 30 meters deep. A small area of the river has water in it permanently, making it an important drinking hole for the local animals.

Big Daddy                                             

The tallest dune in the Sossusvlei area is known as “Big Daddy”.  Big Daddy or as the locals call it, Crazy Dune”, is situated between Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. This astounding dune the highest in the area, measuring about 325 meters.  Although not all dunes are available to climb, with a lot of effort and water, this one is climbable and should you make it to the top, you will be rewarded by an amazing view of the surrounding area.

Dune 45

Dune 45 is the most photographed dune in the world.  This dune gets its name from its distance from the Sesriem gate, which is 45 km.  This is another dune that visitors are allowed to climb, be sure to get up there early to avoid the heat. The dune has a truly fascinating shape and has become one of the world’s most photogenic dunes.

Dead Vlei

The Dead Vlei competes with other places in Namibia as one of the most picturesque locations. Black trees canbe found between white pans and red sand. The pan was once filled with water, but when the climate grew warmer, the water disappeared, leaving a brittle pan in its wake. The trees that stand here are around 900 years old and thanks to the dry climate, they have not broken down.

See the Sossuvlei and many more exciting destinations when you book your Namibia tour with us. We have a number of tour packages that takes guests to some of the very best locations. Book your tour today.