Sossusvlei safaris, tours & accomodation
The world's tallest dune fieldsCustom Sossusvlei
- Describe your dream trip
- We'll source the best value
- Book when you're ready
Help Me Plan
The dry pans known as Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei form the most iconic of Namibia's landscapes, enclosed as they are in the world's tallest and arguably most spectacular dunes
Sossusvlei is the main tourist focus in Namib-Naukluft, the world's largest national park. And it is a truly breathtaking site, comprising a cluster of parched clay pans towered over by a field of curvaceous scorpion-tail dunes up to 300 metres tall. Formed over millions of years, these rippled apricot sand mountains are composed entirely of orange sand that has blown across from the Kalahari Desert and the mouth of the Orange River. Occasionally you might make out the distinctive outline of a rapier-horned gemsbok catching the breeze on the crest, one of the strategies this desert antelope uses to reduce its body temperature.
Popular Sossusvlei safaris
These popular itineraries can be customised to match your budget and travel dates
Luxury Namibia: Sossusvlei, Damaraland and Kunene
Experience Sossusvlei's red dunes glowing in the early morning light, find desert-adapted elephant in Damaraland and meet the Himba nomads in Namibia's far north-west
$ 8,623
£ 6,577
R 118,480
€ 7,485
per person
7 daysShort and Sweet Sossusvlei Sojourn
Reconnect with nature in Namibia's southern desert and marvel at Sossusvlei's high red dunes glowing in the early morning light
$ 1,873
£ 1,428
R 25,730
€ 1,625
per person
5 days
“Though Sossusvlei is less well known than, say, Victoria Falls, Kilimanjaro or Table Bay, I'd rank it right up there with these great travel icons as one of the absolute must-see sights in sub-equatorial Africa.”
More on Sossusvlei holidays
The most beautiful – and most photographed – of the pans are Sossusvlei itself and nearby Dead Pan. The latter retains a floor of cracked dry mud and supports a spectral forest of camelthorn trunks that died around 500 years ago, when this arid parody of a lake last received water on a regular basis. Another important landmark here is Dune 45, the only dune of comparable size that visitors are permitted to climb. Be warned, the foot-dragging ascent of this immense shadeless sandhill will give fresh meaning to the phrase ‘two steps forward, one step back’. But if you make it to the top, the fabulous view justifies the effort. South of Sossusvlei, Sesriem Canyon is a spectacular 40-metre gorge carved into layers of ancient schist and gravel by the Tsauchab River. From the rim, which is accessible by road, a steep path leads down to the canyon floor.
Sossusvlei Map
Sossusvlei's location on Google Maps
Frequently Asked Questions about Sossusvlei
Whether you are in the Southern or East Africa you will generally be able to see the big five. The difference really comes in when considering antelope as they are based on your chosen location. go there.
This is all dependant on the countries that you will be visitng and due to the status of certain vaccinations changing at times, please consult our experts before getting vaccines. go there.
In some parts of Southern Africa it is safe to drink the tap water, however it is highly recommended to stick to bottled water (mostly supplied) during your trip as even drinkable African water is completely different in taste and… go there.
Related Articles
A rough guide to the best national parks in Rwanda
Rwanda is a country which has seen an immense transformation since 1994, today it’s considered to be one of the best tourist destinations to see the famed majestic mountain gorillas of Africa. And it is becoming more and more popular due to… read more
10 reasons why a Selinda safari is worth the trip
A private wildlife sanctuary situate in Northern Botswana, the 320,000 acre Selinda Game Reserve is home to a huge diversity of wildlife, most notably it’s large elephant herds, as well as antelope, zebra, cheetah, wild dog and lion. If… read more
Expert Q&A: Africa’s best Big Five safari destinations
One of the main reasons why people travel to Africa is to see the Big Five - the African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and the White/Black rhinoceros. However, one of the most frequently asked questions we get is… read more
African wanderings - Andre’s Malawi safari experience [Traveller story]
I had the pleasure of chatting to Andre Holland, who ventured on a 15-day Malawi safari in March 2015, coming to grips with the local culture, spending time on it's remote neighboring islands and exploring its wildlife-rich game… read more