Attractions in Sossusvlei
There are a number of wonderful attractions to be enjoyed around Sossusvlei in the largest conservation area in Namibia, the Namib-Nakluft National Park, which covers almost 50,000 km2. The top attraction of the park and the second most popular attraction in Namibia, Sossusvlei is renowned for its majestic, warm red, star-shaped dunes contrasting against the stark white floors of the pans.
Other attractions in close proximity to Sossusvlei include Sesriem Canyon, Dune 45, Hiddenvlei, Big Daddy and Deadvlei. All of these attractions can be accessed from the road that takes you to Sossusvlei, and are all well worth a visit. In a number of areas surrounding Sossuvlei look out for the petrified dunes. These are ancient dunes that are approximately 1 billion years old and have solidified into rock.
Sesrium Canyon
| ~5km from Sesriem Gate |
A popular tourist attraction, the Tsauchab River has shaped the Canyon over millions of years and it is one of the few places in the area that holds water all year round. The Canyon spans about 1km long and is 30m deep. In some places the canyon is only 2m wide.
Dune 45
| ~0km from Sossusvlei 4×4 car park |
The most photographed dune in the world, Dune 45 got its name from the fact that it is 45km from the Serium gate into the Naukluft Namib park. Standing over 170 m, it is composed of red sand that accumulated by the Orange River from the Kalahari Desert and then blown here.
Sossusvlei
| ~0km from Sossusvlei 4×4 car park |
Sossusvlei is a perfect specimen of Nambia’s unspoilt desert beauty. It is a salt and clay pan situated in the largest conservation area in Africa, the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Big Daddy
| ~1km from Sossusvlei 4×4 car park |
Big Daddy is the tallest dune in the Sossusvlei area. This magnificent dune is situated between Sossusvlei and Deadvlei and is a staggering 325 meters high. It faces another very high dune known as “Big Mama”
Solitaire
| ~153km from Sossusvlei 2×4 car park |
This remote settlement, at the edge of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, is the smallest town in Nambia and has provided a welcome stopover for travellers for more than 60 years. Solitare started as just a single cottage in 1948. Christoffel van Coller and his wife Elsie built the cottage and aptly named it Solitaire.
Hidden Vlei
| ~2km from Sossusvlei 2×4 car park |
A 2km walk from the Sossusvlei parking area, Hidden Vlei makes for a rewarding excursion. The least visited of all the “vleis”, Hidden Vlei allows those who make the journey to enjoy some solitude in the beautiful desert surroundings.
Deadvlei
| ~3km from Sossusvlei 4×4 car park |
Deadvlei is a forest that has been frozen in time. A spectacle of contrast, Deadvlei is a paradise for photographers where visitors will witness the 900 year old tree skeletons trapped in a white clay marsh, set against red rusted dunes and a brilliant blue sky.
Map of attractions in and around Sossusvlei
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