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German (Switzerland) Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is located in the Namib Desert and is a salt-clay pan ("vlei") surrounded by sand dunes.
AFRICA SAFARI
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is located in the Namib Desert and is a salt-clay pan ("vlei") surrounded by sand dunes. With good and persistent rainfall, a lake a few centimetres to several meters deep forms at the end of the vlei for a short time. Sossus means "blind river" in the Nama language. "Blind" refers to the fact that the Tsauchab River, which flows towards the Atlantic from a mountainous region inland after heavy rainfall, ends or silts up in the sand dunes of the Namib Desert at Sossusvlei - around 50 km from the sea. The area is part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Despite the extreme living conditions, Sossusvlei is home to many creatures adapted to the desert. In addition to ostriches, springboks and oryx antelopes, the desert golden mole-rat, the Anchieta sand lizard, the palmato gecko, the mist drinker beetle (TokTokkie), the horned viper and the puff adder and other interesting species have all mastered life and survival in this area.
Camel thorn trees grow particularly frequently along the water veins, and the Nara plant, which is endemic to the Namib, can be found on the dunes. Also fascinating is the so-called ostrich lettuce, which immediately sprouts with a little bit of water and scatters its seeds to ensure the survival of the species.
Sossusvlei has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 21, 2013. Namib Sand Sea.
The entrance to Sossusvlei is at the Sesriem Gate. From here, a 60 km paved road leads past impressive dunes and dune formations, some of which are among the world's highest dunes. It also passes the so-called fairy circles of the desert.
The last 5km to the vlei lead through thick sand. A four-wheel drive vehicle is required for this, or you can make use of the shuttle service there. This costs around N$135 per person (as of 2016) and must be paid in cash if it is not included in the tour package.
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Safaris in Namibia
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Leave the planning and routing to us, you just drive yourself. An adventure trip through the country with pre-booked accommodation so you can take a shower.
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The wilderness is calling! Travel for 2 weeks with a German-speaking tour guide through the land of endless expanses, many photo opportunities and varied landscapes await you.
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