Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei Overview

Sossusvlei’s stretching desert sands make for the perfect opportunity to go on a landscape and wildlife viewing safari adventure.

Enjoy a hot air balloon safari; a view from the top is the best way to see the endless spans of orange dunes contrasting with a large white salt pan island. For a similar effect, a plane safari gives you a bird’s eye view of the massive desert and salt pan; being able to see both rocky and sandy desert land.

Add a sliver of adventure to the mix with a 4x4 quad bike safari. The far stretching open spaces and dunes, varying in height, make for an adrenaline pumping Sossusvlei experience.

If you prefer a more relaxed trip over the sands, a horse riding safari may be more your style; allowing you to experience this dry stretch of Africa, free of an urban mode of transport.

The birdlife is more impressive than the wildlife in the area; home to about 60 endemic bird species. These include the dune lark, Ruppell’s korhaan and Ludwig’s bustard. A variety of birds of prey can also be found in the Sossusvlei area, namely the lappet-faced vulture, secretary bird, black-breasted snake-eagle, pale chanting-goshawk and pygmy falcon. 

Highlights & Places in Sossusvlei

Located in the southern part of the Namib Desert, Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan surrounded by stretches of red desert. When dry, which is most of the time, the pan shimmers a stunning white against the rust coloured dunes.

The dunes range from pink to orange, attributing their colour to the high iron content in the sand, coupled with an oxidation process. The higher the dune, the redder the colour, meaning the highest dune in Sossusvei (380m), nicknamed Big Daddy, is deep red in colour.

Vegetation can be found on the top of the larger, more stable dunes, getting their water supply from underground rivers that fill the pans in the flood season.

The area is rich in smaller wildlife that can survive off little water. The most commonly seen in the area are small reptiles and small mammalians (rodents) with larger wildlife like springbok, gemsbok, black-backed jackal and ostrich making an appearance.

Best Time to Visit Sossusvlei

Getting There & Getting Around

Getting To Sossusvlei

You can get to Sossusvlei by driving from Windhoek; a 330km trip along the well maintained road.

Getting Around Sossusvlei

When in Sossusvlei you can get around on the following transport:

• 4x4 safari vehicle
• 4x4 quad bike
• Hot air balloon
• Plane

Sossusvlei Tips : Know Before You Go

ATMs:
There are no ATMs available within Sossusvlei.

Forex/Money:
Travellers cheques are accepted by larger camps, resorts and lodges. There are a number of banks and foreign exchange bureaus in Windhoek where you will be able to exchange foreign currency to take with you on your journey into the rural areas.

Credit/Debit cards:
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted at larger camps, resorts and lodges in Sossusvlei. Credit cards are not accepted at most petrol stations in Namibia.

Internet availability: 
Few establishments in Sossusvlei offer an internet connection service. Internet cafés are available in Windhoek.

Drinking water: 
Bottled water is recommended for drinking in this area.

Hospitals & Medical: 
The closest city that offers the best medical care is Windhoek. Most lodges are equipped with a basic first aid kit to treat mild ailments.

Visa Requirements: 
You don’t need a visa to enter Namibia, but you will need a valid passport. 

Sossusvlei Map