Sossusvlei
A white clay salt pan deep in the Namib Desert, ringed by giant red dunes. At the end of the sand sea lies the park’s core attraction.
Sossusvlei (meaning “dead-end marsh”) lies deep within Namib-Naukluft National Park. It is a white clay salt pan formed where the Tsauchab River vanishes into the sand sea, surrounded by star-shaped red dunes more than 300 m high, among the tallest dune fields in the world. The pan is usually dry and cracked. Only in wet years does river water reach it, producing the rare sight of dunes reflected in a lake. From the park entrance at Sesriem, drive 60 km west along the tarmac to the 2WD car park. The final 5 km of deep sand must be covered by the park’s 4WD shuttle (about N$200 per person round trip) or by your own 4x4. Around the pan, you can hike to Deadvlei, Big Daddy Dune and Hiddenvlei, or climb the surrounding dunes for views. Entry for international visitors costs about N$150 per person per day, plus a vehicle fee. The park opens at sunrise and closes at sunset; those staying in the park campsites can enter one hour early. Midday sand is extremely hot, so enter in the early morning and leave before noon. Bring plenty of water and sun protection. Drones are banned in the national park.
Opening hours
Park gates open sunrise to sunset (about 06:00–19:00)
Nearby sights
- Big Mama Dune
- Deadvlei
- Big Daddy Dune
- Hiddenvlei
- Dune 45
- Namib Desert Hot Air Balloon
- Sesriem Canyon
- Elim Dune