Namibia is home to some of the most pristine and untouched scenery on the planet. Here, you can walk amongst the granite boulders of Spitzkoppe, view wildlife at the Etosha Salt Pan, spot resident seal colonies along the Skeleton Coast, and watch the sun set on the red dunes of the Kalahari Desert. The eastern conservation areas of Bwabwata, Mudumu and Nkasa Rupara are, by contrast, lush, green and densely vegetated. Then there’s Fish River Canyon, where baboons patrol the ridges. Among these remarkable landscapes is Sossusvlei, a giant salt and clay pan surrounded by some of the largest dunes in the world. It sits within the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Sesriem Canyon
Just 4 km outside the national park is Sesriem Canyon, close to the road that leads into Sossusvlei. It’s said that Sesriem, meaning “six lengths”, gets its name because early settlers would tie six lengths of leather together to lower buckets into the canyon, to collect water. If you have the time, there’s a pleasant walk into the canyon, though it’s a side dish compared with the grandeur of Sossusvlei’s dunes.
Guided Excursions into Sossusvlei
One of the best ways to experience this area is on a guided excursion, many of which begin before dawn and include breakfast at sunrise. A typical tour starts at Deadvlei, a stark white clay pan where sun-blackened camel-thorn trees contrast with the white clay and the intense red dunes surrounding the pan. The sand here is redder and more iron-rich than the sands of the Kalahari, and the dunes are taller and more dramatic in shape. From Deadvlei, you drive right up to the base of Dune 45, the most famous and accessible of the region’s dunes. If you’re feeling energetic, you can hike to the 170-metre-high summit, which takes between 30 minutes to an hour.
The Big Daddy Dune Climb
Those looking for a greater challenge can set their sights on Big Daddy. At 325 metres, it is officially the highest dune in the area. To get to the base of the dune, you must first walk across the Deadvlei pan. Then you head up soft, rather exhausting sands to reach the top of the dune. The walk takes about 3 hours, and you’re rewarded with spectacular views across the Namib Desert.
A Hot Air Balloon Flight Over the Namib Desert
For many visitors, the ultimate Sossusvlei experience is a hot-air balloon flight over the Namib Desert. Your day begins with fresh coffee and biscuits as dawn breaks over the desert. Simply relax and watch your professional crew inflate the balloon. As the sun rises, you launch, drifting silently above endless red dunes. It’s an incredibly peaceful experience and unlike any other. When you land back on the ground, you are treated to a champagne breakfast in the desert, which is an event in itself.
No trip to Namibia would be complete without experiencing the extraordinary desert landscapes of Sossusvlei. If you want to book a holiday to Namibia, get in touch with Ian or Myles, our Namibia specialists: team@archipelagochoice.com
