Burnt orange hues, harsh crescent lines, graceful gemsbok galloping beside the road and a star-studded African sky make a trip to Sossusvlei, Namibia a truly awe-inspiring experience.

Located in the heart of the Namib Desert, the oldest in the world, and home to some of the world’s highest dunes, it should come as no surprise that this vast expanse of undulating sand is one of Namibia’s premier tourist attractions.

Yet, as we climbed the dunes for sunrise on our first morning, laying the first trail of footprints across perfectly rippled sand with just a handful of others for company, it really didn’t feel like it. Despite being a top tourist draw, there is a silence and a stillness here we rarely get to experience.

We did, however, visit in low season.

Deadvlei | Sossusvlei, Namibia Travel Guide
Sossusvlei Namibia Travel Guide

Drawing in nature lovers, photography enthusiasts and people ticking off entries on those ‘places you have to see to believe’ lists, the dunes of Sossusvlei are really quite special, particularly when viewed in the first light of the day.

In fact, waiting for the sun to rise over Deadvlei, when the dunes transform from indiscriminate mounds of sand to chiselled ribbons of flushed red and dancing shadows, was the highlight of our time in Namibia.

If you’re planning a trip to this part of the world, Sossusvlei should definitely be at the top of your list. This guide covers everything you need to know to visit Sossusvlei, including where to stay, the best things to do and buying your permits.

* This post includes affiliate links and any purchases made through these links will earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. All prices listed are in Namibian Dollars with exchange rate in US Dollars at the time of writing.*

Getting To Sossusvlei, Namibia

Sesriem is the tiny village at the entrance to the Namib-Naukluft National Park and acts as the gateway to Sossusvlei.

Sossusvlei Namibia Travel Guide

The most important thing to note about accessing Sossusvlei’s dunes is the opening hours of the gates – the main gate which gives access to the National Park opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, the second inner gate just a few hundred metres further into the park opens and closes about an hour before and after sunrise and sunset giving those staying within its boundaries extra time in the park and the opportunity to view the dunes in the best light before most other visitors are able to arrive.

From the inner gate it is about 60km along a tarred road to reach a 2 wheel-drive parking area. From there, a very sandy track will take you to the final parking area and the trail to Deadvlei and the most popular dunes.

Sossusvlei Namibia Travel Guide
Sossusvlei Namibia Travel Guide
Sossusvlei Namibia Travel Guide

If you have a 4×4 (which we recommend for Namibia) and feel confident driving in sand, stop at the 2WD parking space and reduce your tyre pressure to 150 kPa before continuing on to the final parking area. This was recommended to us by our car rental company and we had no problems navigating the sand using their advice. Also, make sure that 4WD is engaged in a low gear and you should have no problems – just don’t stop driving.

We received a very thorough explanation of our car which made us confident in using the 4WD and which tyre pressure was best for which type of road. However, we saw others that had not been told, headed into the sand without 4WD properly engaged and ended up getting stuck 30 metres along. If you plan on driving this section and don’t have experience with a 4WD vehicle, make sure your rental agency explains it properly.

When we visited, there was one patch of road close to the final car park that was particularly bumpy and practically a sand pit. There is another stretch of road though and if you stick right on your way in (left on the way out) you should be able to avoid it.

Planning to rent a car? Search the best deals for Namibia car rentals here!

Namibia Roadtrip Itinerary | Namibia Self Drive Itinerary | Self Drive Safari Etosha National Park

If you don’t have a 4×4 or are not comfortable driving through the sand stretches, safari shuttles can take you the rest of the way for around $150 (US$12) return. When we visited, these guys were ready and waiting at the inner gate and payed no attention to the national park speed limits meaning they were the first ones at the 2WD car park and ready to shuttle people the rest of the way in time to reach the dunes for sunrise.

All up, if you stick to the speed limit (which few people seem to do) it takes over an hour from the inner gate to the parking area so plan accordingly – including leaving enough time to get out of the park in the evening.

Sossusvlei Accommodation: Where to Stay In Sesriem

Sunrise over the dunes was easily the highlight for us and what made our visit to Sossusvlei so memorable. Getting to the dunes in time though hinges entirely on having accommodation within the confines of the park which will give you early access to the dunes.

There are a plethora of beautiful lodges and camping sites around the Sesriem area, but only two options actually lie within the park boundaries and will allow you to access to the dune in time for sunrise. We stayed at the Sesriem campground and felt it was absolutely worth it to be the first and last ones at the dunes.

Sossusvlei Namibia Travel Guide
Sesriem Campsite

The Sesriem Campsite space has 24 shaded campsites each with a fire pit, powerpoint and tap, as well as an ablution block close to every site. There is also a restaurant, bar and shop on site. Campsites cost $200 (US$16) per person and entry permits to Sossusvlei can be purchased at the reception desk and must be paid for each night spent at the campground.

This campsite lies inside the main gate but you will be restricted by the opening times of the inner gate which are posted daily around the reception area. These are generally at least an hour before/after sunrise/sunset giving enough time to arrive and climb the dunes before first light.

When we visited, the campsite wasn’t nearly full but we have heard that in peak months it can be difficult to nab a spot here so if you’re planning your trip and travelling on a budget, try to get in early.

Check here for prices and availability.

Sossus Dune Lodge

This beautiful Sossus Dune Lodge is the only accommodation completely in the park with individual chalets nestled up against the hills and expansive views over the plains and lower dunes. Guided walks and drives for sunrise and sunset are also offered.

With prices starting at $1,650 (US$133) per person in the low season and heading up to $3,830 (US$308) during the peak months, this place is perfect for those looking for that extra bit of luxury and the freedom to see the dunes at almost any hour. Though driving in the park at night is restricted.

Check here for prices and availability.

Other Accommodation Options In Sesriem

Unsurprisingly, these two accommodation options are highly sought after and fill up well in advance. If you can’t get a reservation, you’ll find a number of beautiful options outside of the park.

Desert Quiver Camp features beautifully designed self-catering ‘desert’ chalets, each with a kitchenette, private terrace area and a stunning outlook over the ochre landscapes. With double rooms starting at around $1,850 (US$140) including breakfast, it’s also one of the better value options in Sesriem. Check rates and availability here.

Desert Camp is slightly further from the park entrance but has a similar setup with luxurious self-contained cabins and beautiful views, a pool and onsite bar. Check rates and availability here.

Things To Do In Sossusvlei, Namibia

As we mentioned above, sunrise here pretty much made our trip and we would highly recommend experiencing at least one from the top of the dune. Even if early mornings are not your thing, for this you’ll want to make an exception. You can thank us later!

Sossusvlei Namibia Travel Guide
Deadvlei

For us Deadvlei and the dune just behind it was the ultimate place to soak up the magnificence of this place. The glistening white clay pan, the eerie talons of the grey trees and the tickled orange curves of the surrounding dunes meant we returned three times during our visit. What can we say – we loved it!

The trees scattered across the pan that draw photographers from far and wide are thought to be more than 500 years old, dead but unable to decompose in this dry inhospitable environment.

From the parking area many people follow the ridge of the small dune on the left and wait at the top for sunrise and we would recommend doing the same. When the sun is up, run down the dune face and soak up the surreal world between the trees of Deadvlei.

Big Daddy

The highest dune in the area, although not in the desert, Big Daddy guy is a beast and towers over the surrounding dunes. We didn’t attempt the climb but we watched the silhouettes of others zigzagging their way to the top and going by the amount of time they stopped and started, it’s a seriously hard slog – even without the heat of the day. However, given the impressive views from where we sat above Deadvlei, from way up there they must be even more magnificent.

Dune 45

Dune 45 is another popular spot for sunrise as it is right off the tarred road and doesn’t require any fiddling with tyre pressure or sand pit driving. It’s also 20 km closer to the gate meaning you won’t have to wake up quite so early to get here in time for the first light.

This dune is near to (although not actually at) the 45 km mark. There is a sign pointing to the small parking area on the left on your way in.

Sossusvlei Namibia Travel Guide

Big Mama sits opposite Big Daddy and can also be climbed, while Hiddenvlei is about 2 km off the road and can be accessed from the 2WD parking area. Sesriem Canyon is also a popular spot and is near the campsite.

These maps are a useful guide to accessing the dunes in the area.

ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR VISITING SOSSUSVLEI

Buy Your Sossusvlei Entry Permit On Arrival  |

There is a park entrance fee payable for each night you spend in the park or day visited. The cost is $80 (US$6.50) per person and $10 (US$0.80) per vehicle payable at the reception area inside the outer gate.

If you’re heading out for sunrise, it’s best to buy your permit the day before.

 

Sesriem Facilities are Somewhat Limited  |

Sesriem is really tiny made of just a cluster of lodges around the park gate and a filling station with a small shop. Indeed, if this part of the desert had not ended up on the tourist map, it probably wouldn’t exist at all.

The shop here is rather limited so we would suggest picking up all your food and supplies at a supermarket before leaving Windhoek or Swakopmund as you’ll find a far better choice and prices. The filling station has an air compressor to pump up your tyres after any forays onto the sandy stretches of road.

 

Be Prepared For The Sun And Heat  |

As we said, it can get bloody hot out there and walking up the dunes or even across the flat sand can be quite taxing. Bring plenty of water to drink on your way up the dunes and wear sun protection.

Sossusvlei Namibia Travel Guide

Keep To The Opening And Closing Times  |

The strict closure times are in place for a reason so be sure to stick to them. After dark, patrols do check for visitors who have decided to buck the rules.

 

Don’t Walk The Dunes In Flip Flops  |

In the early morning, the sand is cool and quite comfortable to walk on barefoot or in flip-flops. Returning in the afternoon though, on a day that reached 42 degrees, we found the sand to be, unsurprisingly, blisteringly hot. One girl we met had to abandon her walk across the sand because her feet were getting seriously scorched in the hot sand.

Don’t try to do it in flip-flops or sandals! If you come after midday, closed shoes are absolutely essential.

 

Hold On To Your Stuff In The Sand  |

Wandering what the best part about sweating and sliding your way up the dunes really is? Running with childlike mirth right back down the face. Freya had the unfortunate incident though of landing gleefully at the bottom and reaching up for her sunnies only to realise they had fallen off some 40 metres back and were poking out neatly from the top of the dune.

Hold on to your stuff, especially if it’s on your head or in your pockets.

Onward Travel from Sesriem

One of the first things we were told on arrival in Namibia – ignore the distance on the map.

With gravel surface making up the vast majority of Namibia’s road network, driving just a few hundred kilometres can easily take up most of your day.

Sossusvlei to Windhoek –  320 km   |   Allow at least 5 to 6 hours

Sossusvlei to Swakopmund – 344 km   |   Allow at least 5 to 6 hours.

Sossusvlei to Luderitz – 500 km   |   Allow 7 to 8 hours.

For our full itinerary for Namibia, check this post, or for the best deals on Namibia car rental check here.

Sossusvlei Namibia Travel Guide

Most of the roads are unfenced and wildlife are free to roam wherever they please. We had birds roosting on the roads that were reluctant to be roused and zebras that galloped out of nowhere.

As always, obey the speed limits and avoid driving at night.

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Sossusvlei Namibia Travel Guide : Everything You Need To Know To Plan The Perfect Trip
Sossusvlei Namibia Travel Guide : Everything You Need To Know To Plan The Perfect Trip
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12 Comments

    • Hey Lucy, Thanks so much!
      We absolutely LOVED Namibia so can definitely recommend that you put it high up on your list 🙂
      We edit all our shots in Lightroom with our own presets and then tweak each shot individually.

    • Hey Don, this is something we would’ve loved to have done! It’s an incredible place for night photography.
      As far as we know, the only way to get access to the area overnight is by staying at the Sossus Dune Lodge which is inside the gates. From what we gather you can apply for a special permit directly through them and they take you out in a registered vehicle. We would suggest contacting the property directly and going from there.
      Don’t try to stay out in your own car as Park Rangers generally patrol the area.
      Let us know how you go!

  1. Hi Freya, did you need local currency to pay for the park fees or can you pay by credit card?

    We really want to be able to photograph Sossusvlei at sunset. Is the campsite that you stayed in at Sossusvlei inside the national park? I heard that the lodge is and therefore you don’t need to leave before sunset, do you know if this is true?

    • Hey Jane, Glad to hear you’ll be visiting one of my favourite places!
      From memory, we paid the fees in cash but I expect that they would accept cards as well.
      There are actually two gates for the park which open at different times. The lodge is the only accommodation option within both gates giving you the most time at the park around sunrise/sunset. The Sesriem Campsite is between the two gates which gives you access to the park around 1 hour before sunrise/after sunset. Depending on where you want to shoot from, this can still give you enough time to see the sunset before having to head back. Anything outside of this gate though and you’ll be locked out between sunset and sunrise.
      Enjoy Namibia 🙂

  2. Hi Freya,

    Thanks for the good article. It is very helpful for me to understand the place.

    I am interested in taking pictures of Deadvlei, especially when the sunlight exactly distinguishes the white sand and background yellow sand.
    I do not know the adequate time for the sun to illuminate the yellow sand only.

    Usually in the tour program, people visit the dune45 first to see the sunrise and then Deadvlei.
    Do you think it is possible to see the exact distinguishment in this situation?

    Thanks

    • Hmmm, that’s a tricky one! It all depends on what time you enter the park and where the sun rises during your visit. As most people stay outside of the park, they often choose Dune 45 as it is much closer to the entrance and doesn’t take too long to climb so you are able to get the sunrise views from there. Deadvlei is quite a lot further down the road though so if you were watching sunrise from Dune 45, I imagine it would be a fair while later that you would reach Deadvlei. Depending on where the sun comes up, some dunes are very low and so the light travels down to the salt pan very quickly and you could possibly miss this differentiation. Anyway, hope that helped a little and good luck with your trip!

  3. This is so so helpful! Im planning my own trip to Namibia soon and I’d like to ask about your stay at the Sesriem Campsite. Diid you need your own camping equipment for that? And if so, where did you rent yours from? Any help would be really appreciated as we really dont want to opt for the lodges as theyre way out of budget for us, and since we’re traveling from another country, we wont have an camping gear either.

    • Hey Cathy, yes do need your own camping gear for Sesriem. I had rented a 4×4 through ASCO Car Hire with a rooftop tent which could be set up and taken down each day. This also included all the additional camping equipment like cooking gear, bedding, cutlery etc. and was a great way to travel in Namibia. If you’re already renting a car this could be a good option to look at and I believe most companies have a similar setup. For Sesriem Campsite, also be sure to book well in advance.
      Happy Camping! 🙂

  4. Thank you for this info, I need to know if it is allowed to prepare your own food using a small BBQ etc. in the park, or may you only have a picnic basket with ready made food ?

    As a day visitor, can one go and enjoy a beer at one of the restaurants at the lodges/camping site inside the gates ?

    • Hi Tanya,
      For day trippers, there are no specific barbecue areas inside the park so it would be best to bring your own prepared food or picnic. You can definitely enjoy a drink or meal at the restaurant at Sesriem Camp which is just inside the main gate, however, bear in mind that this is about a half-hour drive from the main dune area. Unfortunately, the Sossus Dune Lodge, which is the only other property inside the gates, is exclusively for guests.

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