The Namib is the oldest desert on Earth, and Sossusvlei is its greatest spectacle: a white clay pan surrounded by the tallest dunes in the world, glowing orange and red in the first and last light of day. The dunes rise more than 300 metres, with names like Dune 45 and Big Daddy, and climbing them at dawn, as the sun rolls over the ridges, is one of the great experiences of southern Africa.
Beyond the dunes lies Deadvlei, a ghostly white pan with blackened camel thorn trees that died about 900 years ago and still stand. Sesriem Canyon, the NamibRand Nature Reserve with its famously dark skies, and the fog-fed life of the desert, including gemsbok, springbok, ostrich, geckos and beetles, add depth to a landscape that seems at first to be empty.
It is a photographers' paradise, a place of silence and stars, and the lodges around the park offer hot-air balloon flights, scenic flights and guided dune walks.
The desert is home to specialised animals that survive without much water. Gemsbok (oryx), springbok and ostrich are easy to see, and Hartmann’s mountain zebra live in the hills. Smaller creatures include Cape fox, bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, desert-adapted geckos and the tenebrionid beetles that drink fog from their backs. Leopard, brown hyena and cheetah live in the area, but sightings are rare.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
Red dunes sweep to the horizon, their sharp ridges lit by the sun. The white pan of Sossusvlei and the dark trees of Deadvlei stand out against the sand, and the sky at night is full of stars.
Activities here
The Namib is hot and dry, with summer days of 33°C to 40°C and winter days of about 25°C. The nights are cold from May to September, sometimes close to freezing. Rain is rare and falls mostly from January to March.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36 | 20 | 20 |
| Feb | 35 | 20 | 30 |
| Mar | 34 | 18 | 30 |
| Apr | 31 | 14 | 10 |
| May | 28 | 9 | 5 |
| Jun | 25 | 6 | 3 |
| Jul | 25 | 5 | 2 |
| Aug | 27 | 7 | 0 |
| Sep | 30 | 11 | 0 |
| Oct | 33 | 15 | 2 |
| Nov | 35 | 17 | 4 |
| Dec | 36 | 19 | 10 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
April to October is cooler and clear, with the best conditions for climbing the dunes and photography. Winter mornings are cold, so bring a fleece and gloves for the balloon flight.
November to March is very hot, and a rare thunderstorm can fill the pans and turn the desert green. Dune climbs are hard in the heat, so we start before dawn and rest at midday.
April to October is the best time to visit, with the cooler weather and clear light. The summer months are very hot but quiet, with dramatic skies. Sunrise and sunset are the best moments in any month.
Best time to visit Apr to Oct
Sossusvlei is about 330 kilometres from Windhoek, a drive of five to six hours via the scenic Spreetshoogte or Remhoogte passes. Light aircraft fly from Windhoek’s Eros Airport to the lodges’ airstrips in about an hour, which gives a spectacular view of the dunes. The park gate at Sesriem opens at sunrise, and the lodges inside the gate give you a head start.
Park fees are included in our safaris. Visitors from many countries, including the UK and US, need a Namibian visa, which can be applied for online or on arrival (about N$1,600 at the time of writing). Please check the rules for your passport.
The desert is hot and dry, so bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. The dunes are steep, so wear sturdy shoes and take your time. The Namib has no malaria.
National ParkEtosha National ParkWaterholes that draw everything in
RegionDamaralandDesert elephants and ancient rock art
National ParkSkeleton CoastFog, shipwrecks and roaring seal colonies
City & TownSwakopmundSeaside town between dunes and ocean
City & TownWindhoekNamibia's small, friendly capitalOur take
“Our take”
Be on the first dune at sunrise, when the sand is cool and the colour is deepest, and give Sossusvlei at least two nights.
Safaris from
US$2,726 per person
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