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Sossusvlei in Namibia
Towering red sand dunes over 300 meters tall, surrounding whitewashed clay with eerie petrified trees standing like statues. This is what people from around the world flock to come and see. This is Deadvlei within the Sossusvlei area of the Namib-Naukluft National Park and is a photographer’s dream. Hundreds of years ago, the Tsauchab river flowed, but was prevented from reaching the sea, by the towering red sand dunes of the Namib Desert, resulting the waters flooding an area and creating a marsh. Over years camelthorn trees grew, but soon died in the blazing sun. This phenomenal event resulted in what we see today at Deadvlei.
Sossusvlei is home to some of the biggest sand dunes in the world. Big Daddy stands over 325 meters tall and towers over the other sand dunes of the area. Guests can attempt to walk up Big Daddy and enjoy views out over the vast Namib Desert. A highlight for visitors to Sossusvlei is to climb up Dune 45 which is 85 meters tall and to watch the sunrise from the top. As the rays of the sun pop over the dunes, the sand starts to change color until they are the bright red.
Just outside the entrance gate to Sossusvlei is Sesriem Canyon and was shaped over millions of years by the Tsauchab River. Today it is the only place in the area that retains water throughout the year.
One of the best things you can do during your stay in Sossusvlei is to enjoy a hot-air balloon ride over the area. Soaring silently over mountains, grasslands and sand dunes as the sunrises is a highlight of any visit to Namibia. From up in the air, you can clearly see the fairy circles which are still a mystery.
Sossusvlei can be reached during a self-drive safari to Namibia either at the beginning or end of the safari. If you are not doing a self-drive safari to Namibia, there are regular flights from Windhoek to the area and guides from the luxury safari lodges will take guests on guided activities.
Sossusvlei is home to some of the biggest sand dunes in the world. Big Daddy stands over 325 meters tall and towers over the other sand dunes of the area. Guests can attempt to walk up Big Daddy and enjoy views out over the vast Namib Desert. A highlight for visitors to Sossusvlei is to climb up Dune 45 which is 85 meters tall and to watch the sunrise from the top. As the rays of the sun pop over the dunes, the sand starts to change color until they are the bright red.
Just outside the entrance gate to Sossusvlei is Sesriem Canyon and was shaped over millions of years by the Tsauchab River. Today it is the only place in the area that retains water throughout the year.
One of the best things you can do during your stay in Sossusvlei is to enjoy a hot-air balloon ride over the area. Soaring silently over mountains, grasslands and sand dunes as the sunrises is a highlight of any visit to Namibia. From up in the air, you can clearly see the fairy circles which are still a mystery.
Sossusvlei can be reached during a self-drive safari to Namibia either at the beginning or end of the safari. If you are not doing a self-drive safari to Namibia, there are regular flights from Windhoek to the area and guides from the luxury safari lodges will take guests on guided activities.
