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SOSSUSVLEI

One of the major attractions in Namibia are the highest sand dunes in the world. Yes you are reading correctly, dunes towering more than 280 metres above their surroundings is the norm in and around the Sossusvlei area.

Contact us today, to arrange your dream safari, we will have everything ready for you, to enable you to enjoy the ultimate safari experience.

From Windhoek you drive South west over any one of the spectacular passes that will take you down the Namib Desert. Past Solitaire, through absolutely stunning scenery the gravel road will take you to Sesriem, the entrance to Sossusvlei. From Sesriem, which means “Six leather ropes” you have to drive another 90 kilometres to get to Sossusvlei. If staying in the Sesriem campsites or the lodge of Namibia Wildlife Resorts, you get the added benefit of leaving before sunset. That plays a huge role as one can see the colours change as the sun rises, and it is stunning.

The drive there is as scenic as any you will have. The tarmac road follows the old course of the Tsauchab River that runs to Sossusvlei. On both sides of the road the sand dunes reach to the sky. The flat plains in front of these enormous dunes enhance their height even more. To further paint the picture, the plains are grey in colour and then suddenly rising out of these grey areas is just orange heaps of sand. Just stunning. Dune 45 is a well known dune where you can park your vehicle and climb the dune to get an aerial view of the surroundings. Well worth doing, but it does take some time. Dune 45 is so named because it lies 45 kilometres from the boundary of the Namib Naukluft Park. Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and !naravlei are the three main areas visited by tourists and locals alike.

A vlei is a dried up marsh, and this “marsh” is surrounded by dunes. The dunes found in the Sossusvlei area are mainly star dunes, which means that they are relatively stable if compared to barchan dunes that tend to move up to 6 metres a year. Star dunes don’t move at all, due to the wind coming from all directions, and also the vegetation that is found on them. “Big Daddy” is another famous dune found at Deadvlei. It is a monster of a dune, and an absolute "must climb" if you ever visit the area.

Deadvlei is a photographer’s paradise. Dead Camelthorn trees in the vlei, in stark contrast to the dunes and the white surface of the pan, make wonderful photos. You have to be there before sunrise to really appreciate the colours that nature will put on display for you. Just imagine, black skeletons of trees on a white surface, with an orangey/red backdrop. There is a surreal feeling to it all, especially if one arrives before the crowds move in. The silence of the desert makes it a special place to be.

Sossusvlei mountain lodge

To get as far as Sossusvlei you need to have a 4x4 vehicle. There are well defined roads but of very soft sand. There are operators that will take you to the vlei, and back if you have a sedan vehicle. They charge a fee, but it is nominal if you take into account that you will witness a memorable spectacle of nature.

To see the highest dunes in the world, come to Sossusvlei, Namibia. A must see!



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