23 tips for visiting Sossusvlei in Namibia

23 tips for visiting Sossusvlei in Namibia

Our tips for visiting Sossusvlei will ensure your visit to Namibia's most popular attraction is as exciting as it should be

Last year, Kia and I shared a list of the countries we most wanted to see. First on my list was Namibia, mainly because of Sossusvlei. I've wanted to photograph this incredible landscape ever since I saw the bare silhouettes of its seemingly petrified trees against a brazen blue sky and a vibrant desert dune in a National Geographic photo essay years ago.

The photos created a surreal Disney-like scene that I was never entirely sure was real. Well, it's fine really.

We finally visited Sossusvlei this year as part of a 17 day self-drive safari with Wild Dog Safaris. It was one of those destinations that completely matched the image I had in my head. Sossusvlei and its iconic neighbor Deadvlei were just as sensational as I had hoped.

The dunes, which are up to 325 m high, constantly change shape and color. The wind shapes and reshapes their contours as their color changes from ocher to burnished orange to fiery red over the course of a day from sunrise to sunset.

The sky above has a small amount of cloud cover, creating an almost permanent cobalt blue sky in contrast to the fiery tones of the sand. The centerpiece is the burnt, eerie white pan of Deadvlei, where skeletal trees, some hundreds of years old, dot the cracked clay soil. The scene is nothing short of otherworldly.

alt="Eleven-Drive Safari through Namibia Sossusvlei">Atlas & BootsDeadvlei is another surreal Namibian landscape

Despite its ethereal beauty, visiting the area is not without its challenges. The dunes and pans of Sossusvlei are isolated, to say the least. The site is in the southern part of the Namib Desert, about 65 km from Sesriem, itself a lonely and remote outpost with little more than a gas station and a cluster of tourist accommodation.

Vlei is Afrikaans for “swamp,” while “Sossus” is Nama for “no return” or “dead end.” Needless to say, it's a harsh environment. If you plan to visit the “Dead End Swamp,” it pays to be prepared.

We googled tips for visiting Sossusvlei and found lots of Insta-worthy pictures of people in Deadvlei, but very little practical advice for visiting one of the oldest and driest ecosystems on earth.

We have therefore put together 23 practical tips for visiting Sossusvlei in Namibia.

Tips for visiting Sossusvlei in Namibia

1. Steigen Sie so früh wie möglich ein. Die Tore zum Namib-Naukluft-Nationalpark bei Sesriem öffnen um 6.15 Uhr. Stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie so früh wie möglich in der Warteschlange stehen, um nicht hinter einem Tourbus stecken zu bleiben.
2. Sie erhalten eine Nummer und einige Unterlagen. Bewahren Sie diese auf, da Sie sie später am Tag benötigen, um die Genehmigung zu bezahlen, wenn Sie den Park verlassen. Es ist vielleicht nicht ganz klar, aber Besucher zahlen in dem grünen Gebäude neben dem Sesriem-Campingplatz in der Nähe des Ausgangs.
3. Wir schlagen vor, selbst zu fahren, anstatt an einer Tour teilzunehmen. Wir zogen es vor, unser eigenes Auto zu haben und unsere Zeit selbst zu bestimmen. Wir empfehlen Wild Dog Safaris, die uns Tipps für den Besuch von Sossusvlei und viele weitere Informationen über Namibia gegeben haben.

alt=“Tips for visiting Sossusvlei in Namibia self-drive”>Atlas & BootsWe recommend self-driving in Sossusvlei so you can stop anywhere

1. Der Preis pro Eintritt beträgt 80 NAD (6 USD) pro Person und 10 NAD (1 USD) pro Fahrzeug (Stand: Dezember 2018).

2. Consider ordering a breakfast box from your hotel so you can maximize your morning and have the opportunity to have a picnic in the dunes.

3. Drive directly to Sossusvlei. Don't stop at Dune 45 and other viewpoints along the way. Most visitors do this and share their experiences with crowds. We recommend heading straight to the main attractions of Sossusvlei, Big Daddy and Deadvlei when they are quieter and cooler. We stopped at Dune 45 on the way out and basically had it to ourselves.

alt=“Tips for visiting Sossusvlei in Namibia Dune 45″>Atlas & BootsWe had the popular viewpoint at Dune 45 almost to ourselves

1. Entscheiden Sie sich für ein Fahrzeug mit Allradantrieb. Alle 2WD-Fahrzeuge müssen auf dem 2WD-Parkplatz (60 km entlang einer asphaltierten Straße vom Eingang) anhalten und dann die verbleibenden 4 km Sandweg zu Fuß (nicht empfohlen) oder mit dem Shuttle (170 NAD / 12 USD pro Person) überqueren.

2. If driving a four-wheel drive, reduce tire pressure to 1.6 bar (23 psi) to drive over sand. There is a gas station right outside the main entrance gate in Sesriem where staff can assist you.

3. There are clean toilets in the 2WD car park. The other car parks, including the 4WD car park at Sossusvlei, have drop toilets which are not particularly clean.

4. Wear closed shoes, no flip-flops or sandals. The sand gets extremely hot and can easily burn your feet.

alt=“Tips for visiting Sossusvlei in Namibia 6″>Atlas & BootsLooking down on Deadvlei while climbing Big Daddy

1. Der wichtigste unserer Tipps für einen Besuch im Sossusvlei ist, mindestens 2-3 Liter Wasser pro Person mitzunehmen – besonders, wenn Sie vorhaben, die Sanddüne Big Daddy zu besteigen. Unterschätzen Sie nicht seine Größe: Mit 325 m ist er höher als The Shard in London!

2. The maximum speed in the park is 60 km/h. Few drivers seem to comply, but we were warned that traffic police were patrolling the road.

3. If you would like to see the dunes at sunset or sunrise, consider staying in the park. There are two options, both operated by Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR): the luxurious Sossus Dune Lodge or the Sesriem Campsite right at the park entrance.

4. If you are not staying in the park, make sure you are out of the gates by 7:00 p.m. There are fines if you stay in the park after this time.

alt=“Tips for visiting Sossusvlei in Namibia Plan carefully”>Atlas & BootsSossusvlei was one of those destinations that fully lived up to expectations

1. Es gibt im Wesentlichen drei Hauptsehenswürdigkeiten zu besuchen: Deadvlei, Big Daddy und Sossusvlei sowie Dune 45 und mehrere andere Aussichtspunkte entlang der Einfahrt.

2. It's worth asking your accommodation for their opinion. The staff at the Adventure Center at Sossusvlei Lodge provided us with a map and tips about the weather.

3. Our suggested itinerary is to head straight to Deadvlei to experience the area at its most tranquil. If you want to climb the Big Daddy sand dune, then spend just 15-20 minutes in Deadvlei to make the most of the cooler morning. After climbing Big Daddy, you can descend back to Deadvlei for a longer stay (albeit with more visitors).

4. Think about what is most important to you. Is it climbing Big Daddy, photographing Deadvlei or watching the sunrise or sunset? We made a mistake and climbed Big Daddy first. When we arrived in Deadvlei the wind had picked up and made for poor photography conditions. So we had to drive back the next day, which meant a long day of driving and cost double the entrance fee.

alt=“Tips for visiting Sossusvlei in Namibia Sandstorm”>Atlas & BootsWhen we arrived in Deadvlei the wind had picked up

1. Vor diesem Hintergrund schlagen wir Folgendes vor:

06.15: Enter the park and head straight to Sossusvlei. 07.15: Park in the 4WD car park near Deadvlei / Big Daddy. 07.30: Briefly visit Deadvlei. 07:45: Climb Big Daddy and visit Sossusvlei and Big Mama (optional) 11:30: Depart Sossusvlei with stops at Dune 45 and other viewpoints along the way 13:00: Leave the park and return to the hotel for lunch and to cool off

1. Die beste Reisezeit für Sossusvlei ist März-Mai oder August-Oktober. Die kühlere Luft sorgt für einen klareren Himmel und bessere Fotobedingungen. Die Temperaturen sind auch milder, aber beachten Sie, dass es von Juli bis August am windigsten ist. Überprüfen Sie die aktuellen Wetterbedingungen in der Region mit windy.app.

2. Don't touch the trees. This should go without saying, but we saw dozens of tourists leaning, climbing and sitting against the trees, often posing for photos or resting. The trees are hundreds of years old, but they won't last much longer if tourists ignore the rules.

alt=“Tips for visiting Sossusvlei in Namibia 11″>Atlas & BootsIncredibly, visitors still touch, climb and sit in the trees

1. Nehmen Sie ausreichend Sonnencreme und einen Sonnenhut mit und tragen Sie lockere Kleidung, die Schutz vor der Sonne bietet.

2. Finally, if you want, pack an Insta-worthy dress to wear, but don't wear it to climb Big Daddy!

• alt=“Wissenswertes über Namibia“>
• alt=“Wissenswertes über Namibia“>
• alt=“Selbstfahrer-Safari durch Namibia Big Daddy“>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=“Tipps für einen Besuch im Sossusvlei in Namibia 17″>
• alt=““>

Atlas & Boots

Visit to Sossusvlei in Namibia: the most important thing

What: Visit Sossusvlei in Namibia as part of a 17-day self-drive safari with Wild Dog Safaris.

Where: Accommodation on the tour includes 16 nights in a range of hotels, lodges and safari camps, including Sossusvlei Lodge, located just outside the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Other accommodation options on the tour include Okonjima Plains Camp, Etosha Safari Camp and Aoba Lodge.

The tour can be booked as either accommodation (like we did), camping or a combination of both. Breakfast and several dinners are included with the accommodation option; Camping is largely self-catering.

When: The best time to travel to Namibia is from May to October during the dry season (winter). There is less vegetation and wildlife tends to congregate around waterholes, making them easier to spot. This is also high season, so it may be necessary to book months in advance, especially in Etosha.

The low seasons of May and November are good for cheaper accommodation with higher availability. Heavy rains can occur in November, although mainly in short, intense bursts.

The low season brings heavy rains from December to April, making some routes impassable. Humidity is higher and wildlife is harder to spot, but accommodation is cheaper.

How: We visited Namibia semi-independently with a 17-day self-drive safari from Wild Dog Safaris. Wild Dog Safaris will book accommodation, provide a rental car and organize an itinerary for the trip.

The itinerary showcases the best wildlife and scenery the country has to offer, including the dunes of Sossusvlei, the coastal town of Swakopmund and the infamous Etosha National Park. Other highlights include the Fish River Canyon, Twyfelfontein and Okonjima – home of the AfriCat Foundation.

There are 11-day and 13-day versions of the above itinerary, as well as a 15-day self-drive option for Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Driving in Namibia is fairly easy and relaxing, although four-wheel drive is essential. Outside the larger cities, traffic is light, although road conditions vary widely. Side roads are paved and easy to navigate, but fairly rare. C and D roads are gravel roads that are more common and vary widely in condition. Expect everything from smooth, comfortable and relatively fast gravel roads to undulating, uncomfortable and frustratingly slow dirt roads. Make sure you have a spare tire and know who to contact in an emergency.

On arrival in Windhoek we were met by Wild Dog Safaris who provided a detailed itinerary, driving directions, maps and information along with several tips for visiting Sossusvlei and other destinations.

We flew to Namibia with British Airways via Johannesburg in South Africa. Book flights at the best prices through Skyscanner.

old=““>

Lonely Planet Botswana & Namibia is a comprehensive travel guide to Namibia and includes some useful tips for visiting Sossusvlei.

Disclosure: We traveled to Namibia with the support of Wild Dog Safaris. All publications say this, but we really don't guarantee positive coverage. We say what we think – good and bad – so you can make informed decisions with honest advice.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

      .