Most requested
12-Day Rovos Rail Namibia to South Africa Safari
Namibia, South Africa
- Most meals
- All activities
- 9 nights aboard Rovos Rail from Walvis Bay to Pretoria
- 1 night at Etosha Lodge with afternoon and morning game drives
- Visit to the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Otjiwarongo
- 1 night in Sossusvlei with desert drive, bush dinner and Deadvlei
From
R 215 000
per person, complete package
Most requested
5-Day Namib Desert Fly-In Safari
Namibia
- Most meals
- Most activities
- All flights & transfers
- 1 night at The Weinberg in Windhoek before flying into the desert
- 1 night at Desert Hills Lodge on the edge of the Namib
- 2 nights at Wolwedans Dune Camp in the NamibRand Nature Reserve
- Scenic drives, guided walks and a sundowner over the dunes
From
R 84 880
per person, complete package
Most requested
10 Day Namibia Must-See
Namibia
- Most meals
- Most activities
- All transfers
- Self-drive route from Windhoek through Damaraland to Sossusvlei
- 1 night at Okapuka Safari Lodge, then 2 at Okonjima Plains Camp
- Guided game drive at Okonjima, home to the AfriCat Foundation
- 2 nights at Mowani Mountain Camp tracking desert-adapted elephant and ancient rock art
From
R 52 470
per person, complete package
10-Day Namibian Highlights Tour
Namibia
- Most meals
- All activities
- All transfers
- Overnights at Kalahari Anib, Namib Desert Lodge, The Delight, Damara Mopane and Etosha Safari Camp
- Climb Big Daddy and walk the camelthorns of Dead Vlei at Sossusvlei
- Free day in Swakopmund for kayaking, sandboarding or Walvis Bay excursions
- Twyfelfontein rock engravings, Organ Pipes and a Himba village visit
From
R 63 720
per person, complete package
7-Day Namibian Desert to Coast Adventure
Namibia
- All meals
- All activities
- All flights & transfers
- 2 nights each at Kwessi Dunes, Hoanib Valley Camp and Shipwreck Lodge
- Day trip to the blood-red dunes of Sossusvlei
- Stargazing in Africa's first International Dark Sky Reserve
- Track desert-adapted elephant, giraffe, lion and rhino in the Hoanib Valley
From
R 180 210
per person, complete package
9 Day Ultra-Lux Fly-in Namibia
Namibia
- Most meals
- All activities
- All flights & transfers
- 2 nights each at Fish River Lodge, &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Shipwreck Lodge and Ongava Lodge
- Aerial views of Fish River Canyon on the safari flight in
- Stargazing through suite skylights between the red dunes of Sossusvlei
- Sundowners on deck at Shipwreck Lodge on the Skeleton Coast
From
R 229 520
per person, complete package
9 Day Diverse Namibia
Namibia
- Most meals
- Most activities
- 2 nights at Kulala Adventurer Camp on the red dunes of Sossusvlei
- 2 nights at Hansa Hotel in Swakopmund with optional Walvis Bay catamaran cruise
- 2 nights at Damaraland Camp tracking desert-adapted wildlife near Brandberg Mountain
- 2 nights at Ongava Tented Camp with game drives in Etosha National Park
From
R 113 430
per person, complete package
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Brochure
Southern Africa Guide
Southern Africa's icons, shaped into one itinerary: Greater Kruger, Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta and Cape Town.
Where to stay
Lodges in Sossusvlei.
5 lodges across this destination, ordered by what guests pick most. Rates per person sharing, per night.
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Kulala Desert Lodge
Wilderness Kulala Desert Lodge sits on the 37,000-hectare private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, with its own gate into Sossusvlei and the closest access to the towering red dunes of Namibia's Namib Desert. Twenty-three thatch-and-canvas tents on raised wooden decks open to sweeping desert vistas, and guests can sleep out under the stars on private rooftop skybeds.
Per person sharing, per night, from
R 10 970
Current offers
Honeymoon
Spend your honeymoon at Kulala Desert Lodge, and one spouse will receive a 50% discount on their accommodation. Travel must be within 6 months of the wedding
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AndBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
andbeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge has an almost surreal quality against the backdrop of the spectacular Namib Desert. The tranquil atmosphere of this unique landscape is a refreshing change of pace from the hustle and bustle of a busy city. With the wilderness stretching out towards the horizon every way you look, the sense of isolation from the outside world is instant and intense.
Per person sharing, per night, from
R 36 750
Current offers
Stay & Pay
Long stay discounted rates: Stay for 6+ nights and save up to 15%: May be applied for a combination of &Beyond lodges in Africa (subject to seasonal availability of the offer), for the same guests on a single itinerary.
Honeymoon
50% discount on one partner's accommodation for the full stay (one partner pays full rate, the other pays 50%)
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03 PremiumKwessi Dune
Kwessi Dunes sits deep in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, a 200,000-hectare private wilderness near Sossusvlei. Twelve thatch-and-canvas chalets face red dunes and craggy mountains, each with its own open-roof 'star gazer' room for sleeping under one of the darkest skies on earth. Days are spent quad biking, walking, horse riding or ballooning over the desert.
Per person sharing, per night, from
R 12 490
Current offers
Honeymoon
50% off the nightly accommodation rate for one spouse
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04 AffordableNamib Desert Lodge
Situated in an idyllic location, the lodge provides comfortable accommodation options, stunning panoramic views, and a range of activities to explore the surrounding desert scenery. From guided nature walks and sunset viewing to stargazing and cultural experiences, guests can immerse themselves in the beauty and tranquillity of this iconic desert landscape.
Per person sharing, per night, from
R 2 390
-
05 AffordableSossusvlei Lodge
Luxury right at the entrance gate to Sesriem Canyon and the famous Sossusvlei
Per person sharing, per night, from
R 3 660
The basics
Why, when, and where.
Why
The Sossusvlei is most likely Namibia's best attraction with its spectacular red dunes that surround a large, white, salt and clay pan. The Sossusvlei is a collection of sand dunes that come together and prevent the Tsauchab River from flowing any further. The sand dunes in this region are some of the biggest in the world, reaching as high as 383 meters.
The Sossusvlei generally experiences a dry climate but when it does rain excessively, the Sossusvlei becomes an extraordinary place for those avid photographers. When the pan fills up with water it resembles that of a lake and captures the reflection of the surrounding sand dunes. It is truly a sight to behold.
Despite the dry desert conditions, visitors discover a wide variety of plants and animals that have adapted to survive. There are a number of attractions not to be missed when visiting the Sossusvlei, including Sesriem Canyon, Dune 45, Hiddenvlei, Big Daddy and Deadvlei.
The Sossusvlei boasts a good selection of mid-range lodges and luxury lodges, affording travelers a comfortable stay whilst they explore this vast wilderness.
When
Namibia is a great year-round destination, but the best game viewing, especially in the Etosha National Park, is from May to October whenthe weather is clear and dry and wildlife flock to watering holes. From November to April, some days will be humid and rain may follow, often in afternoon thunderstorms. It can be trickier to see animals as they tend to scatter then and not congregate around watering holes.
Traveller tip: Make sure you have adequate sun protection, even in the winter months. So pack a hat and lots of sunblock!
May – October
This is the best time for game viewing throughout Namibia, especially at Etosha National Park. The weather is clear and dry which means wildlife will be flocking to watering holes.
November – April
Summer rain turns this coastal region into a lush green country and occasionally floods the desert. In December, watch the wildlife at Etosha National Park and bird watch all summer long in the drier regions of Namibia.
Where
An awe-inspiring Land of Sand and Salt
Sossusvlei is one of the most photographed areas in the world as it is the only place where travelers can capture a glassy “lake” with reflections of the surrounding dunes. Situated in the largest conservation area in Africa, the Sossusvlei is best described as a large white, salt and clay pan.
Possibly Namibia's most spectacular and best-known attraction, the Sossusvlei is most certainly a destination that is great to visit all year round.
Sossusvlei translates to “dead-end marsh”, as it is the place where the red dunes come together, stopping the Tsauchab River from flowing towards the sea. The dunes are some of the highest in the world, reaching almost 400 meters in height and are shaped like a star. Wonderful images can be taken in the light of the morning and late afternoon.
Nestled between the Namib Desert and the Naukluft mountain range, the majestic Namib-Naukluft National Park is home to various antelope species, black-backed jackals, mountain zebras and hyenas which live near the vegetated river valleys.
Sesriem is the “Gateway to Sossusvlei” with its natural canyon carved by the Tsauchab River in the local sedimentary rock, approximately one kilometer long and up to thirty meters deep.
On entering the Sesriem campsite gate, Dune 45 can be found approximately 44 kilometers away. Visitors are permitted to climb this 85-meter high dune and delight in the magnificent views of the Vlei.
Further along this route, you will discover Sossusvlei, Hiddenvlei and Deadvlei. Hiddenvlei is the furthermost away and least visited, offering some solitude in the beautiful desert. Deadvlei is the most popular with the contrast between the pitch-black camel thorn trees, estimated to be approximately 900 years old, and the white pan floor.
Accommodation around Sossusvlei ranges from camping, through self-catering and mid-range lodges, to the ultimate in luxury lodges.
Must see: The Sesriem Canyon, Dune 45, Hiddenvlei, Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Photos from our guests
A traveller's view.
Every photo below was taken by a guest of ours on a recent trip to Sossusvlei. No stock imagery, no marketing shots. What they saw, on their cameras.
Imagery
Sossusvlei, in pictures.
Recent travellers
Word from people who have just been to Sossusvlei.
Quotes pulled directly from Trustpilot. Where we have specific reviews mentioning Sossusvlei, those come up first. Otherwise these are recent five-star notes from across the trips we have planned.
"Absolutely seamless from start to finish. I had to change my travel options several times, and the team was incredibly patient, understanding, and accommodating throughout the process. We're so happy we found them. They took the time to tailor our trip perfectly to our family's needs, making everything stress-free and enjoyable. I highly recommend their ser…"
"Our travel agent Monica could not have been more helpful, we are very grateful for the effort she made to secure us a Safari at short notice. We are looking forward to travelling to Africa in September. Karen & Clive"
"i will have to say i had a pleasant time on my trip, full of fun experiences, that is something that i can say that i can knock out of my bucket list"
"Very easy to book with Safari.com. It looks as though it will be a fantastic trip."
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