Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan surrounded by high red dunes, located in the southern part of the Namib Desert, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park of Namibia. The name 'Sossusvlei' is often used in an extended meaning to refer to the surrounding area (including other neighbouring vleis such as Dead Vlei and other high dunes), which is one of the major visitor attractions of Namibia.

The Sossusvlei area belongs to a wider region of southern Namib with homogeneous features (about 32000 km sq) extending between rivers Koichab and Kuiseb. This area is characterized by high sand dunes of vivid pink-to-orange color, a consequence of a high percentage of iron in the sand and consequent oxydation processes. The oldest dunes are those of a more intense reddish color. These dunes are among the highest in the world; many of them are above 200 metres, the highest being the one nicknamed Big Daddy, about 380 metres high.

Access to the Sossusvlei area of the Namib-Naukluft National Park is from the Sesriem gate, which is located in the surroundings of the eponymous canyon. From Sesriem, a 60km tar road leads to Sossusvlei proper.

Since Sossusvlei is possibly the foremost attraction of Namibia, much has been done by the Namibian authorities to support and facilitate tourism in the area.

Several accommodation options are found allong the border of the National Park, between Sesriem and the nearest settlement, Solitaire.

Accommodation in and around Sossusvlei

• Sossus Dune Lodge
• Kulala Desert Lodge
• Desert Homestead
• Mountain Homestead
• Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
• Wolwedans Dunes Lodge
• Wolwedans Boulders Camp