Namibia is home to the biggest sand dunes globally. Each year, a vast number of travelers climb the red sand dunes in Sossusvlei, accompanied by much laughter as they slide all the way to the bottom.
In Nama language, “sossus” means a dead-end or a place of no return. Whereas “vlei” refers to a shallow lake or marsh. It is estimated that the sand dunes, surrounding the salt and clay pan, are over 5,000,000 years old.
With all that said, Sossusvlei is a must-do bucket list destination for 4×4 enthusiasts. That is if you don’t mind sand between your toes!
Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan and the main attraction of the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
This area, in the southern part of the Namib Desert, is characterized by high sand dunes of vivid shades of red color, an indication of a high concentration of iron in the sand and consequent oxidation processes.
With age, the dunes’ color intensifies and becomes redder.
You will also experience the color change of the sand closer to the sea, getting more light and whiter.
Many of the dunes are more than 200 meters high. The dune named “Big Daddy” is about 325 meters in height. However, it is not the highest sand dune. Dune 7 is all of 388 meters in height!
You sure get the feeling that time simply stands still, knowing the age of the dunes, and that they hardly move. The dunes are also referred to as “star dunes”. This is because of the shape they form when the wind blows in from all directions.
Have your camera ready for when you spot antelopes, ostriches, rodents, and birds. Clearly, water is not freely available. How do these animals survive on limited water supplies? Reptiles and mammals have adapted to desert-living with fog, coming in from the Atlantic Ocean, as the major water source.
It is hard to look down at night because of the spectacular sight of the Milky Way in the skies.
March until May (autumn) or August to October (spring) are popular for great photography opportunities. The skies are clearer and the temperatures are much milder.
Sesriem is close to the southern end of the Naukluft Mountains. It has significant importance because the “Sesriem gate” is the main access point to the Namib-Naukluft National Park, from where you explore Sossusvlei. There are no shopping excursions to write home about. You will only find essential items (water and a limited range of food products) at Sesriem, which is essentially a filling station.
You will be tired of traveling and need accommodation that suits your needs. Comfort has a different meaning to different people, but the good news is that there is a choice of accommodation for every taste.
For instance, lodges, campsites, and many more. Here are a few recommendations:
I strongly believe I can handle anything, as long as I have a good night’s rest. Click on Booking.com and simply type in “sossusvlei” or alternatively “sesriem”.
You will cover a lot of kilometers in this vast desert landscape. Subsequently, it’s wise to rent (if you don’t already own one) the best 4×4 vehicle you can afford so you are comfortable during your road trips. Air conditioning is a no-brainer. Don’t go without it.
And if you’re considering ignoring our advice, know that you will not be able to access Dead Vlei or the Sossusvlei Dunes. Furthermore, some gravel roads can be pretty nasty after rain.
Don’t take it for granted that your rented vehicle is already set up for Sossusvlei.
Economy Bookings guarantees the best car rental prices and has access to reputable agencies, such as Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National, Sixt, Thrifty, and more.
If something is wrong, at any time, Economy Bookings support service is there for you. Whether you have a question at the time of booking, renting, or returning a car, you’ll receive full support.
As mentioned earlier, it is a long road trip. From Johannesburg’s (South Africa) O R Tambo International Airport it will take you just over 18 hours to reach Sossusvlei. The 1,651 km is best done with a few stopovers, and co-drivers.
An alternative well worth considering is to fly to Walvis Bay Airport (WVB / FYWB), the nearest airport to Sossusvlei. The 375 km from Walvis Bay to Sossusvlei is much less than a full-on road trip.
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