Sossusvlei Holidays

Located within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is one of Namibia’s most recognisable and photographed destinations - a vast salt and clay pan surrounded by towering red dunes that change colour with the light. Some of these dunes rise over 300 metres, making them among the tallest in the world.

The name “Sossusvlei” refers to the pan itself, but is often used more broadly to describe the surrounding area, which includes Deadvlei - a striking white clay pan dotted with the skeletal remains of 900-year-old camelthorn trees - and the dramatic Sesriem Canyon. Sunrise is the best time to visit, when the low light casts deep shadows across the dune ridges and the sand glows in hues of orange and ochre.

Climbing Big Daddy or Dune 45 is a highlight for many, offering sweeping views across the desert. Wildlife is scarce but not absent - oryx, springbok, jackals and lizards have all adapted to survive in this arid environment.

Access is via the park’s Sesriem gate, and it’s worth staying within the park boundaries if possible, allowing for earlier access to the dunes before the day-trippers arrive. A visit to Sossusvlei is a must on any Namibian itinerary - it’s surreal, spectacular, and utterly unforgettable.