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Namibia is one of the most remarkable countries in Africa. The country is large but very sparsely populated and has some of the most stunning landscapes and national parks in all of Africa (like Etosha National Park). Namibia covers vast deserts, including deserts that are the traditional homelands of the San People or Bushmen. Namibia is one of the best countries in Africa to discover by a self-driven road trip. Exploring Namibia with a self-driven tour is also one of the most affordable ways to explore Africa.
Of all the top attractions in Namibia, Sossusvlei is one of the best. It is one of the most stunning desert destinations in the world, with many familiar pictures of deserts hailing from this park. It is part of the Namib-Naukuft National Park and is one of the best places in the world to climb sand dunes and see the most picturesque salt pans in the world.
The Out-Of-This-World Salt Clay Pan Of Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is a salt clay pan that's surrounded by high red dunes with iconic dead trees on the pan. The site is over-worldly with stark contrasts of the deep golden sand dunes with the deep blue skies. While the greater park is called the Nambi-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is generally used to refer to the park in general.
- Main Salt Pans: Sossusvlei, Hiddenvlei, and Deadvlei
To get to Sossusvlei, visitors need to drive down a 4x4 sand track and then walk around half a kilometer or so over the desert to the iconic salt pan. Most people can handle the hike, but remember to be prepared for the intense desert sun and heat (take a hat, plenty of water, and sunblock). There are also shuttles to Sossusvlei for those without a 4x4 vehicle.
It is important to plan to explore the national park as early in the morning as possible, as the temperatures can get unbearably hot in the heat of the day. Visitors can run the risks of sunstroke and heat exhaustion.
The Sand Dunes Of Sossusvlei
The high sand dunes of the park are of vivid pink to orange color (as there is a large concentration of iron in the sand that has been oxidized). Some of these dunes are among the highest in the world, with some rising to more than 200 meters. Visitors can climb the dunes but be warned.
Climbing on soft sand is very tiring and exhausting - plus, the temperatures are very high. But perhaps the worst is if there is a breeze, the sand is ferociously blown in one's eyes. Most people climb the dunes barefoot, but the sand can also be very hot.
- Highest Sand Dune: Big Daddy At 325 Meters or 1,066 Feet
Dune 45 is the most popular dune in the park to hike up, with a car park right at its base. It is the most photographed dune in the world and rises up to over 170 meters. Climb up the massive iconic dune made up of red sand accumulated by the Orange River from the great Kalahari Desert and then blown there.
Getting To Sossusvlei & What To Expect
The best way to get to Sossusvlei is by hiring a 4x4 and driving around the country on a self-drive tour. There are some campsites and lodges at the entrance to the park, Sesriem. There is some accommodation inside the park. One of the best accommodation options is the Sossusvlei Lodge (although one of the best lodges to stay at in Namibia is the Omaruru Game Lodge in the north of the country).
- Visa: Visa Free For All Western Passports
The location is remote and deep in the desert. Nevertheless, there is an abundance of wildlife that calls the area home. It's not uncommon to see wildebeest and oryx wandering around in the campground and even grazing on the green grass around the swimming pool. Animals in Sossusvlei include springboks, ostriches, wildebeest, oryxes, and other animals.
It is possible to explore much of the part with a two-wheel drive, but visitors will be restricted in where they can go - many of the tracks are for 4x4 only.
It is also possible to explore Sossusvlei from the air. There are options for hot air balloons from Sesriem and scenic flights from the coastal cities of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.
Another of the best places to explore the deserts of Africa is Marrakesh in Morocco. Take a multi-day camel tour into the desert and stay with the traditional Bedouin.