Overview
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About Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is located in the southern part of the Namib Desert, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. It is a white salt and clay pan, surrounded by high red dunes. This valley was created by a combination of geological and climatic factors over millions of years. The dunes surrounding Sossusvlei are some of the tallest in the world, reaching heights of over 300 meters. The highest one is the famous Big Daddy dune, which is around 325 meters high.
The name ‘Sossusvlei’ roughly means ‘dead-end marsh’: ‘Vlei’ is Afrikaans for ‘marsh’ and ‘sossus’ is Nama for ‘dead end’, as it is the place where the dunes come together, preventing the Tsauchab River to flow any further to the ocean. However, due to the dry conditions in the Namib Desert, the river almost never flows this far. As a result, the pan is dry almost year-round, leaving behind the cracked, white clay soil. After very rare heavy rains, the basin can briefly fill with water, transforming it into a lake-like expanse.
The actual Sossusvlei is the white salt and clay pan, about 66 km past the Sesriem gate. However, often the whole area, including Deadvlei and the different dunes, is referred to as Sossusvlei.
The entrance to Sossusvlei has two gates: a main gate and an inner gate. The main gate opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, while the inner gate closes one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset. This means that, if you stay inside the park, you can reach the dunes for sunrise and stay to witness a magical sunset.
Practical
Park entry fee (valid for 24hrs)
150 NAD per adult per day
50 NAD per vehicle per day
The main gate opens at sunrise and closes at sunset.
The inner gate opens one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset.
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Best Things to Do
Deadvlei
Probably the main reason why people come to Sossusvlei is to visit the iconic Deadvlei. About 900 years ago, the climate dried up and big sand dunes cut off Deadvlei from the river. It became too dry for the trees to even decompose. They simply scorched black in the sun, creating this mysterious and extremely photogenic place. From the parking lot (that can only be reached by a proper off-road 4×4 car or by shuttle), it’s about a one-kilometer walk over the sand to reach Deadvlei. Simply follow the signposts of the Deadvlei Hiking Trail.
Tip: The trees in Deadvlei are very fragile. To protect this unique place, do not touch them and certainly do not climb on them.
Big Daddy Dune
Right next to Deadvlei is the famous Big Daddy dune. With its height of 325 m, it is the highest dune in Sossusvlei. Climb to the top of this dune for sunrise and enjoy an incredible view of the vast expanse of the surrounding dunes. The best news is that you don’t even have to go all the way to the top to enjoy these beautiful views.
Tip: Get it over with and climb Big Daddy via the steepest road on the left side of Deadvlei. This goes a lot faster and the long way is just as tiring.
Dune 45
Dune 45 is one of the most popular sand dunes in Sossusvlei to climb among visitors. It is, as its name suggests, located 45 km from the gate. This dune is 170 meters high and relatively easy to climb. The walk to the summit takes about 20 to 30 min and the views are absolutely worth it. However, due to its fascinating shape, this dune is also beautiful to see from below!
Because of its proximity to the gate, it is a popular spot for sunrise. However, that is precisely the reason why we climbed it at sunset, but more tips about this later!
Dune 40
Dune 40 is located, you guessed that right, 40 kilometers from the gate, so you pass it right before Dune 45. We have to admit that we don’t know whether it is worth climbing this dune, but we stopped here for a moment to capture its unique shape from below!
Elim Dune
Elim dune is a dune of about 100 meters high and the closest to the entrance gate. It got its name from a farm that used to be in the area. The dune itself is not very spectacular, but because of its location, it is a popular sunset spot.
Sesriem Canyon
Sesriem Canyon is missed by many people who visit Sossusvlei. However, if you have the time to visit, you should definitely do so! This canyon is located inside the park, right before the exit/entrance. The Tsauchab River shaped the canyon over millions of years. In the past, they had to use six leather straps tied together to lower buckets into the canyon to fetch water. Hence, it was given the name Sesriem, which literally means ‘six straps’ in Afrikaans.
You can descend into the canyon and explore the stunning rock formations from the bottom, or you can have a quick look from above.
Tickets
Book your tickets here to visit Sossusvlei or join a tour.
How to visit Sossusvlei
The road that runs through Sossusvlei is paved, so you can easily drive to Elim Dune, Dune 40, and Dune 45. Please note that, from the entrance gate, you have to drive 40 minutes to Dune 45 and an hour to Deadvlei and Big Daddy.
The last kilometers to Deadvlei and Big Daddy, you drive through deep sand. This is only possible with a decent off-road 4×4. If you do not have this or are not confident about driving yourself, you can park your car at the parking lot at the end of the paved road and take the shuttle. This costs 150 NAD per person return. If you get stuck in the sand, towing costs
Tip: If you are going to drive yourself, you need to lower your tire pressure to 1.5 bar, change to 4WD, and keep driving to not get stuck. You can re-inflate your tires at the gas station in Sesriem.
Planning your visit to Sossusvlei
What Most People Do
Many people only stay near Sossusvlei for 1 night. This means that they only have 1 sunset and 1 sunrise. Most spend their sunset at Elim Dune, climb Dune 45 at sunrise the next day and then visit Deadvlei. In principle, this is a very good way to visit Sossusvlei.
What We Did
We chose to stay 2 nights and can highly recommend this. Our first evening we enjoyed a beautiful sunset at the campsite and took some rest. The next morning we wanted to combine Big Daddy and Deadvlei. However, due to a flat tire, we were able to leave a little later and we only did Deadvlei at sunrise, which was definitely worth it to see the sun rays and shadows shift over the valley. During the day we rested at the campsite and had our flat tire repaired.
In the evening we climbed Dune 45 and enjoyed a magical sunset with only 2 other people around. Our second morning we got up before sunrise again and were the very first to be on top of Big Daddy. While the next ones had started the climb, we were already at the bottom.
We drove an hour to Sossusvlei three times, but we were able to fully enjoy this place in peace and quiet. There’s nothing more magical than standing alone on top of Big Daddy!
What We Suggest
Even though Sossusvlei never gets very busy, it is always that little bit more magical with fewer people around. So, if you want to avoid most of the crowds, we recommend that you approach things a little differently compared to what most people do. If you only stay one night, you can watch a magical sunset at Dune 45, climb Big Daddy at sunrise, and then run down into Deadvlei. Whatever you visit at sunrise, you can always end your visit with a stop at the Sesriem Canyon on your way out. If you stay 2 nights, you can mix everything up a bit more and also visit Elim Dune, Dune 40, and/or Hidden Vlei. Keep in mind that it can be too hot to climb the dunes during the day.
How to get there
There is no public transportation in Namibia. The only way to get to Sossusvlei is by renting a car or joining a tour. The entrance of the Sossusvlei is located in Sesriem. From here, it is another one-hour drive to the furthest Dead Vlei and Big Daddy Dune.
By car
The entrance gate to Sossusvlei in Sesriem is located about 300 km from Windhoek and 350 km from Swakopmund. All roads leading to Sesriem are unpaved and it will take you about 4 to 5 hours to reach the park.
Because of the gravel roads in Namibia, we highly recommend you rent a 4WD. If you are planning a road trip around Namibia, you should definitely consider one with a rooftop tent. We got ours from Zambezi Car Rental and we can highly recommend their vehicles!
Take a Tour
There are many different tours with which you can visit Sossusvlei. You have big tour packages of up to 2 weeks, where you visit several highlights of Namibia. You can also go on shorter multi-day tours of both Windhoek and Swakopmund. These tours provide all transportation, including the shuttle to the Deadvlei parking lot. Tours in Namibia are ideal for solo travelers, groups, or visitors who cannot or don’t want to drive in Namibia.
Book your transport in Namibia now!
How many days
During the day, it often becomes too hot to visit anything. To fully enjoy all the beautiful places of Sossusvlei, you should spend at least 1 sunrise and 1 sunset in the park. Since it is not recommended to drive after dark in Namibia, we advise that you stay at least 1 night in the park. This way, you also have an extra hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset. If you have more time, you can spend 2 nights in the park, just like us, so that you have an extra sunrise and a sunset to visit even more.
Tip: Permits are valid for 24 hours. This means that even if you stay in the park overnight, you only have to pay for a permit for 1 day.
Best Time to Visit
Sossusvlei is located in the Namib Desert, which means that it rarely rains. However, temperatures here can get very high. Therefore, the best time to visit Sossusvlei is during the winter months May to October, when temperatures are slightly milder. Keep in mind that June to October are considered peak tourist season with higher prices and accommodations being sold out more often. During the summer months October to March, it can become extremely hot during the day, although evenings may be cool.
The best time to visit Sossusvlei during the day are early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when the light is best for photography and temperatures are cooler.
Namibia
Where to stay
The best base to explore Sossusvlei is Sesriem. Some of the lodges and campsites here are located within the boundaries of the park, allowing guests to drive to the dunes an hour earlier than people staying outside the park and staying one hour later. It is the only way to make it for sunrise and be able to stay long enough to witness the sunset at one of the dunes of Sossusvlei. It is recommended to book your accommodation or campsite in Sossusvlei well in advance, as they are often sold out months in advance, especially during high season.
Sossusvlei Campsites
Inside the park
Sesriem Oshana Campsite (privately operated)
Low season: 400 NAD pp/night + National Park fees.
High season: 500 NAD pp/night + National Park fees.
Sesriem campsite (operated by the government)
670 NAD pp/night + National Park fees
Outside the park
Sossus Oasis Campsite is a nice campsite right outside the gates of the National Park.
Sossusvlei Lodges
Inside the park
Dead Valley Lodge looked like the perfect lodge for spending your time at the pool in Sossusvlei when it is too hot to explore!
Sossus Dune Lodge is an eco-friendly lodge with beautiful chalets, overlooking the dunes. It is also located close to Sesriem Canyon.
Outside the park
Sossusvlei Lodge is located right outside the gates. It’s a luxury lodge with shared or private swimming pools.
Extra tips for visiting the Dunes of Sossusvlei
Bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
There is little to no shelter in Sossusvlei and the sun can be very harsh. Therefore, always bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
Start Early
Starting your day early in Sossusvlei has several advantages. The temperatures are still pleasant in the morning for climbing the dunes. Once the sun is up, temperatures rise very quickly. From 10am, it is sometimes already too hot to do anything. Another advantage is that the light of the sunrise makes Sossusvlei even more beautiful, which means your photos will also be much more magical. Finally, if you stay within the gates, you can leave an hour earlier. People staying outside the park cannot enter the park until an hour later.
Stick to the speed limit
The speed limit in Sossusvlei is 60km/hr. Please, stick to this speed limit. There is also wildlife inside Sossusvlei that you can encounter on the road.
Know the gate times and plan properly
Familiarize yourself with the gates' closing times and plan accordingly, taking the speed limit into account. If you stay inside the park, you will have enough time to make it back to the inner gate before closing time. When you stay outside, you'll probably have to leave a bit before sunset. There are rangers who check that no one is in the park after dark and you risk high fines when you break the rules.
Bring Water and Snacks
From Sesriem to Sossusvlei it is another hour's drive. So, you can't quickly go back to get food or drinks. Make sure you always have enough water and snacks with you. Especially because it can get really hot and climbing the dunes requires quite an effort.
Fuel up before entering the park
There is no gas station in the park. Due to the distance between the entrance in Sesriem and Sossusvlei, we recommend that you check in advance that you have enough fuel. The nearest gas station is in Sesriem itself. Here, you can also have your tires re-inflated if you deflated them to drive to Deadvlei.
Download a map
In the area of Sossusvlei, there is little to no mobile phone service. Theoretically, you cannot get lost, because there is only 1 road. However, it can be useful to download a map in advance, if you want to find out the distance between different places, for example between Dune 45 and Deadvlei.
Bring your passport
Normally, you should always have your passport with you anyway, but we would like to explicitly point this out. To enter the park, you must show your passport. This way, you avoid having to turn back at the gate and losing time to get your passport.
Don't forget to pay your park fee
When you arrive at the main gate, they let you drive through and you have to pay your park fee at the inner gate. The campsite and lodges are located before the inner gate, so you will not pass here if you drive directly to your accommodation. We recommend you to get your permit as soon as you arrive at the park, before you continue to your accommodation. This way, you no longer have to take care of it when you want to drive to the dunes, especially if you want to make it for sunrise.
Step in the previous person's footsteps
If you are not the first to walk up the dune, we recommend that you step in the footsteps that are already there. This way, you'll sink into the sand a lot less. You will soon notice that this goes a lot smoother!
Wear proper shoe wear
You may think, like Sarah, that it is pleasant to walk up the dunes in your bare feet. As long as the sun doesn't shine yet: yes. But once the sun comes out, the sand can get really hot! We therefore recommend that you wear decent shoes. We certainly do not recommend slippers, because the sand is extremely abrasive.
No off-road driving
It may seem like the ideal place for it, but it is absolutely forbidden to go off-roading in Sossusvlei. This to protect the very fragile desert environment and not disturb the wildlife or vegetation.
No Drones Allowed
Sossusvlei is located within the Namib Naukluft National Park. Therefore, it is not allowed to fly a drone here.
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
2 Responses
Im heading to Namibia next month and your reviews are so helpful!
I have just 1 sunrise, what would you suggest? Big Daddy or Deadvlei?
Thank you!
Hi Kelly
You are going to love Namibia!
We would suggest climbing up Big Daddy for sunrise. As soon as the sun is above the horizon you can descend into Deadvlei, the sun stays behind the dunes for a while before it shines on Deadvlei. It is also too hot to climb Big Daddy after sunrise, but Deadvlei is still okay by then.
Enjoy your trip!