Sossusvlei

In the southern part of the oldest desert on the Earth, lies one of Namibia’s most visited natural sites. Roughly translated to mean ‘dead-end marsh’, Sossusvlei is actually a salt and clay pan in the Namib desert. The relatively boring sounding ‘flat salt valley’ is actually beautifully surrounded by red, orange, and pink sand dunes. The pan has been shaped over the years by infrequent flooding of the nearby Tsauchab River, which only comes through every five to ten years, and quickly drains away before even dreaming of reaching the sea.

Namib-Naukluft National Park encompasses 19,216 square miles in Namibia, and upon first inspection may seem devoid of life, but a surprising number of animals call this desert home, including geckos, snakes, springbok, ostrich, jackal, and fox.

Making it happen

The closest international airport is located in the capital city of Windhoek. From here, you can easily sign on with a tour company, or rent a car. A four-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle is suggested, as you will embark on occasional rough terrain and travel across several mountain passes. The trip from Windhoek to Sossusvlei may take between 6 and 8 hours.

The park is open from dawn to dusk and a permit must be purchased at the gate. There are several high-end resorts in the area, as well as a campground and lodge within the park. The valley of Sossusvlei is about 41 miles past the gate to the park in Sesriem. In the neighboring valley of Deadvlei, just a mile away, lack of water has turned the ancient trees into perfectly preserved stumps that dot the landscape like a graveyard. Both Sossusvlei and Deadvlei are easily traversed on foot, just make sure you have plenty of water to help beat the heat.

The best time to view the surreal landscape of Namib-Naukluft National Park is early morning or late afternoon. In fact, it is common for visitors to hike the dunes in the wee hours of the morning to catch a stunning view of the rising sun over the expansive desert. Whenever you choose to experience the magic of Sossusvlei, you’ll find a world of beauty, magic, and inspiration.