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.
Safaris with this Highlight
from 1.365 €
At first glance, one might think that neither anything nor anyone can exist, let alone survive, in such a hostile natural landscape.
from 1.769 €
Let yourself drift, enjoy nature and colors, the journey is the destination. Small, charming accommodations offer all the comfort you need to relax and take on the next day.
from 2.832 €
Namibia offers many highlights, you will visit the Fish River Canyon, the unique dunes of the Namib, the arid north and sleepy, forgotten regions, almost deserted.
from 1.662 €
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.
from 2.562 €
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.
Safaris in Namibia
from 1.365 €
At first glance, one might think that neither anything nor anyone can exist, let alone survive, in such a hostile natural landscape.
from 1.844 €
Which waterhole is best for lion sightings? The Etosha Pan offers rare glimpses of wildlife, where desert life is concentrated.
from 1.769 €
Let yourself drift, enjoy nature and colors, the journey is the destination. Small, charming accommodations offer all the comfort you need to relax and take on the next day.
from 2.832 €
Namibia offers many highlights, you will visit the Fish River Canyon, the unique dunes of the Namib, the arid north and sleepy, forgotten regions, almost deserted.
from EUR 3360
With your German-speaking guide, you will explore the barren plains of the Namib, the apricot-colored dunes of Sossusvlei, the romantic coastal town of Swakopmund surrounded by desert and ocean, the rugged areas of Damaraland...
from 1.786 €
The rental car tour shows you the most interesting regions of the country at a leisurely pace with typical local accommodation. There is always time to simply stop and enjoy.
from 2.198 €
The largest sandpit in the world, sliding down dunes, discovering strange plants and playing with local children, discovering new horizons and reorganizing familiar thought patterns.
from 1.662 €
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.
from 2.562 €
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.
More Highlights in Namibia
This region is typified by the Succulent Karoo. The characteristic climatic features of the Succulent Karoo differ from the other deserts of the world.
The central Namibian highlands are much cooler and less rugged than the dry lowlands that make up the majority of the country.
The vast, untamed and ruggedly beautiful Damaraland is an exceptionally picturesque landscape of open plains and spectacular rock formations.
Conveniently located just a few hours' drive from Namibia's capital Windhoek, the Erongo mountain range stretches across the plains between the towns of Omaruru and Karibib, offering a remarkable natural heritage and...
Etosha National Park is Namibia's premier game viewing experience in the northwest of Namibia, an area renowned for its wildlife.
Located south of the border of the Etosha National Park in north-western Namibia, Etosha South forms the southern region of this wild paradise
The Fish River Canyon (Afrikaans Visrivier Afgronde) is located in southern Namibia.
Gochas is located in the Hardap region of Namibia and is a remote village known for its remarkable desert landscape.
The Kalahari is a thorn bush savannah, sometimes also a dry savannah, but is occasionally referred to as a desert due to the predominance of sand.
The Kaokoveld is a dry, mountainous and relatively undeveloped region that takes in the rugged beauty of the Skeleton Coast and the copper-colored sands of the northern Namib Desert.
One of only five perennial rivers in Namibia, the Kunene River is an invaluable source of water for the indigenous Himba people.
The town of Mariental is located in the south of Namibia, near the Kalahari Desert. Situated along the TransNamib Railway, it serves as the commercial and administrative capital of the Hardap Region.
The Republic of Namibia is located in southwest Africa. Namibia has a population of about 2.1 million inhabitants and an area of 824,292 km²; about 4 inhabitants per square kilometer. After Mongolia...
North of Windhoek, in the central Namibian region of Otjozondjupa, is the bustling town of Okahandja, which is considered the region's most important commercial center, as well as a prominent cultural center for...
Opuwo, means "end" in Herero. Situated in the north-western Kunene region of Namibia, it serves as the capital of the region and is known as the gateway to the magnificent Epupa Falls.
Ovamboland is different from the rest of Namibia. It encompasses an environment that allows crop cultivation and therefore has a significantly higher population, with in fact more than half of the...
Sesfontein means nothing other than "six wells". This place contains six natural springs that form a lush oasis rising out of a barren landscape. Sesfontein is situated in the Hoanib Valley...
There is not much to do or see in the small village of Solitaire, but with a single gas station, general store and post office, it is located between Sesriem and Walvis Bay.
Sossusvlei is located in the Namib Desert and is a salt-clay pan ("vlei") surrounded by sand dunes. With good and persistent rainfall, a few centimeters to a few centimeters of sand can form in the...
Swakopmund, the beautiful town on the Atlantic Ocean, is closely linked to the history of the origins of old South West Africa and modern Namibia.
The Waterberg region includes the Waterberg Plateau National Park as well as the agricultural districts of Outjo and Otjiwarongo in the west and Grootfontein and Tsumeb in the east.
Windhoek is Namibia's capital, home to an international airport and is home to a wealth of restaurants, stores, entertainment and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe and well organized.



