Sossusvlei is an essential stop on every Namibia road trip itinerary. Those sand dune photos you see on guidebooks? They were taken in Sossusvlei. With all the hype, it can be hard to figure out how to maximize your time in the area. You could easily spend multiple days exploring, but we realize that you probably don’t have the time to spare.
This guide will show you how to plan the perfect day in Sossusvlei. It outlines how you can see all the highlights between sunrise and sunset. We also share activities that you can add on to your trip, if you do plan to spend more than one day in the area.
What’s Included:
- Where Is Sossusvlei?
- What Is Sossusvlei?
- Must-Do Highlights of Sossusvlei
- Where to Stay Around Sossusvlei
- How to Enter Namib-Naukluft National Park
- What to See in the Morning at Sossusvlei
- What to See in the Afternoon at Sossusvlei
- What to Do in the Evening at Sossusvlei
- How to Extend your Trip
Where is Sossusvlei?
Sossusvlei is, technically, a desiccated river bed and just one of the many attractions in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. This park is located in the southwest of Namibia. It’s also the home to Deadvlei, Hidden Vlei and plenty of rolling red sand dunes. Since the entire area is commonly referred to as Sossusvlei, we will also do so throughout this guide.
What is Sossusvlei?
Sossusvlei, when used to refer to the location within Namib-Naukluft National Park, is a salt and clay pan, or lake bed. Unlike many of the other vleis in the area, Sossusvlei still can occasionally fill with water. In fact, it was partially full when we visited!
A vlei is an Afrikaans word for a marsh. Sossus roughly translates to “dead-end”, so Sossusvlei is technically the “dead end marsh”. It’s apt for visitors because it’s at the end of the road and it’s apt from an ecological standpoint because the area is an endpoint for the Tsauchab river — Namibia’s ephemeral underground river that rarely swells above ground.
Tall sand dunes surround Sossusvlei, both the geographic location and the area. There are multiple types of dunes in the area, which comprise the Namib Sand Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Must-Do Highlights of Sossusvlei
- Watch sunrise and sunset from the dunes. Clambering up a dune to watch sunrise or sunset is one of the most magical moments of a trip to Namibia. Dune 45 is the best dune for seeing sunrise. It’s a steep but quick climb (15-30 minutes, depending on your level of fitness). For sunset, the rolling, grass-dotted hills at Elim Dune offer plenty of spots to sit and watch the sun go down.
- Wander through the trees at Deadvlei. The preserved trees in Deadvlei are an iconic image of Namibia. Seeing them in person is entirely different from seeing a photo. If you time your visit right, the shadows play tricks on the trees, which appear to shift from an inky black bark to a dusty brown as you explore the desiccated pan.
- Cool off in Sesriem Canyon. As midday approaches, escape the unrelenting desert sun with a hike down into Sesriem Canyon. Located outside the park’s inner gate, the temperature plummets as you descend. While it might be hard to spot, there’s technically water inside the canyon year-round. This draws a fascinating array of bird life, which squawks overhead as you meander down the kilometer-long canyon.
- Tackle the sand track to Sossusvlei. Drivers craving a challenge will find it on the sand road that brings you to Sossusvlei. The drive takes only 20 minutes, but you’ll need to stay alert the entire time to ensure you don’t become stuck in the soft, deep sand. Check out our 4×4 driving guide and video guide if you plan to drive this route. If you don’t want to drive over sand, there are tourist buses that can take you to Sossusvlei.
- Spend the night stargazing. With nearly no light pollution, any of the hotels or campsites in the vicinity of Sossusvlei will offer supreme stargazing opportunities. Try taking photos with an extra-long exposure to capture stunning images of the stars, including the milky way!
- Savor an elegant dinner at Sossus Dune Lodge. For guests at the NWR-operated properties in the park, booking dinner at the Sossus Dune Lodge is a must-do. It’s included for lodge guests, but is available as an add-on for guests at Sesriem Campsite. The reception staff at the campsite can call and make you a reservation. Whether you opt for game steak or fish, the tranquil setting and unbeatable service makes this meal a perfect capstone for your time in Sossusvlei.
Where to Stay Around Sossusvlei
There are plenty of places to stay around Sossusvlei. What’s available and what’s within your budget will be your limiting factors.
If you’re camping as part of a self-drive trip, we highly recommend staying at Sesriem Campsite. While we loved our pitch under a huge acacia tree, what we appreciated the most about the campsite was the fact that it’s located within the Namib-Naukluft park, which means that we got to enter the main park area a whole hour before the external gates open. If you want to see sunrise and sunset from the dunes, then staying within the park is essential.
If you’re not up for camping but still want to stay within the park, your other option is Sossus Dune Lodge. The property is one of the more upscale options from NWR, with prices to match. But the perks are numerous: delicious meals, private self-contained rooms, a pool and a special road for gate-free access to the dunes. If you’re okay splurging on your stay, this property is pretty unbeatable.
Of course, we realize that these are some of the most in-demand properties in Namibia during the high season and get booked up extremely quickly. If you’ve missed out on either, here are some other places we recommend. They’re all outside of the main gates, but they each offer their own unique benefits.
- Dead Valley Lodge – While not owned by NWR, this property can also grant you pre-sunrise access to the park’s inner gate. It’s a worthy alternative regardless. The individual chalets are well-appointed and have gorgeous covered patios from which to admire the surroundings. There’s also a communal area for relaxing, a shared pool and a screened patio where you’ll have dinner and breakfast.
- Desert Quiver Camp – Desert Quiver Camp is the definition of glamping. While you’ll be on your own for dinner, each luxury tent has a well-kept braai immediately outside. The interiors here are neat and no fuss: there’s a bed and a bathroom and a shared pool, which is really all you need when you’ll be spending your days exploring the environs and your nights stargazing.
- Sossusvlei Lodge – If you’re looking for luxury, but missed out on Sossus Dune Lodge, then Sossusvlei Lodge is for you. Each room occupies its own air conditioned building, and some units even have private pools (there’s also a shared pool). But the runaway star of this property is the sprawling outdoor patio, where you’ll be treated to al fresco sundowner dinners and bountiful sun-up breakfast buffets.
How to Enter Namib-Naukluft National Park
Like most national parks in Namibia, there are only certain hours during which you’re allowed to enter and exit Namib-Naukluft. It’s super important to pay attention to these opening times if you’re hoping to catch sunrise and sunset from the dunes.
The hours change depending on the time of year. You’ll be able to enter from sunrise and you must leave by sunset. During late August, this is roughly 7:15am and 6:45pm. Double check these times, which may be different when you visit.
Unlike other parks, there are two gates at Namib-Naukluft. Those hours we quoted above? They’re just for the external gate. There’s another internal gate that opens one hour earlier in the morning (6:15am) and closes one hour later in the evening (7:45pm). This gate can only be used by guests at one of the NWR properties located inside the park. See our section on Where to Stay around Sossusvlei for details.
You’ll also need to take into account national park fees, which you may need to pay in cash — see our post on planning your Namibia trip for details. As of August 2021, these are $150NAD per person, per day, plus $50NAD per vehicle. Check NWR’s website before your trip to confirm these fees. You’ll need to show proof of payment to leave the park.
What to See in the Morning at Sossusvlei
The morning is the best time for viewing the dunes around Sossusvlei. There’s a slight chill in the air, the light is soft and gentle, and the shadows extend long past the dunes. Crowds are light and the sand track to Deadvlei and Sossusvlei is easier to drive.
If you’re staying in the park,
Drive to Dune 45 to watch the sunrise. To make it in time, you’ll need to be sitting in your car at the inner gate when it opens an hour before sunrise. From there, you’ll drive for about forty minutes to Dune 45 — or less, if you speed like most drivers do. Once there, it’s a steep hike to the crest, which should take fifteen to twenty minutes. To make the climb easier, put your feet in the footprints left by the person in front of you. Go at a slow and steady pace and you’ll make it.
If you’re not staying in the park,
Enter the outer gates as soon as they open. You have two options depending on what you want to see. To take photos in the glowy morning light, head to Elim Dune, located five kilometers inside the park. This rolling dune offers a gentle, but lengthy, climb with lovely views over the park. Otherwise, beeline toward Sossusvlei. The drive will take about an hour from the main gate. You’ll have to drive over a sand track for the last few kilometers, but you’ll be rewarded with gentle light, sparse crowds and the best chance to see wildlife.
For you second stop,
No matter what you choose to do first, we advise making Deadvlei your second stop. You’re going to want to wander through this striking landscape with as few people as possible. Plus, the early morning light is perfect for taking photos that juxtapose the long shadows of the dead trees and bright sun. You’ll need to drive along a sand track for about 20 minutes to reach Deadvlei — consult our video and post on driving in Namibia for tips on how to avoid getting stuck. If you don’t have a four-wheel drive, or don’t want to drive along sand, you can pay $50 NAD to take a tourist bus.
If you arrive at Deadvlei and find crowds, head back to the start of the sand track (the 2×4 parking area) and hike the two kilometers to Hidden Vlei. While it’s smaller than Deadvlei, it offers a similarly striking landscape that attracts fewer visitors.
Make Sossusvlei your final morning stop. If you started your day there, consider hiking a dune (temperature cooperating). When we visited Sossusvlei, we were surprised to find it filled with water. We saw oryx, birds, and footprints from other animals. It was a sight to behold, even if it did make our time exploring the area feel a bit more limited.
What to See in the Afternoon at Sossusvlei
When it starts to become unbearably hot, retreat back to your accommodation for a break. After cooling off, drive over to Sesriem Canyon.
As we note in our guide to driving in Namibia, the road that goes to Sesriem from inside the park was one of the most corrugated roads we had the displeasure of driving on. We hope the quality is better when you visit. But even if it’s bumpy, the ten-minute drive is worth it to explore the canyon.
The canyon doesn’t look like much from afar. It’s the hike down into the center that will make you appreciate it. Look off to your right when facing towards the canyon from the parking lot and you’ll see a small, well-trodden path. Follow this path to descend into the canyon.
No more than five feet beneath the lip and the temperature seems to drop five degrees. Relief from the scorching sun continues as you go further and, at the bottom of the canyon, it feels downright comfortable. You can hike along the trail for one kilometer, spotting birds overhead as you go. The trail gets quite rocky in some places. While there’s technically water in the canyon year round, we didn’t see any pools on our hike.
Once you’re done exploring Sesriem Canyon, spend the afternoon relaxing in the shade.
What to Do in the Evening at Sossusvlei
If you’re staying within the park gates, head out to Elim Dune for sunset an hour and a half before the sun is scheduled to go down. This might seem like a lot of time, but arriving early means you can hike to the top. It takes about 45 minutes to hike up, going at a tranquil pace.
After the sunsets, you’ll want to descend down the dune quickly to make it back to your accommodation before the inner gate closes, one hour after the sunset.
If you’re staying at Sesriem Campsite, we highly recommend opting for dinner at Sossus Dune Lodge, the higher end NWR resort located within the park. The prices are extremely reasonable, you’ll pay less than $200 NAD per person, and it will save you from having to cook in the dark.
How to Extend Your Trip
Depending how keen you are to explore the dunes, one day may not be enough to spend in Sossusvlei. You can certainly get all the highlights during a single-day tour. Here are some unique activities that we recommend adding on if you have more time to spend in the area:
- Go on a sunrise hot air balloon ride. The one view that a regular tour of Sossusvlei can’t get you? An image of red sand dunes stretching for miles beneath you. You’ll see it during a hot air balloon ride. There are several outfitters, including some accommodations, that offer them. Most are quite expensive; think upwards of $500 USD per person.
- Climb up Big Daddy or Big Mamma. While a more strenuous option, climbing up Big Daddy or Big Mamma dunes — the tallest and second tallest dunes in the area, respectively — will also provide unbeatable views. Head to Big Daddy if you want to see dunes on one side and Deadvlei on the other. Big Mamma is your destination for a (slightly) less strenuous climb and a vista over Sossusvlei itself. These hikes are super strenuous, so it’s best to set out first thing in the morning before the sun gets too intense.
- Hike in the Naukluft Mountains. Whether you’re looking for a day hike or an eight-day excursion, hiking in the Naukluft Mountains is a perfect way to extend your time in the area, while also getting to take in a completely different landscape. There are several hiking trails in the area, and all of them err on the difficult side. If you’re keen on doing a multi-day hike, consider booking with a tour operator who can take care of the logistics in the area.
Roam The Reaches 