"Within a sea of deep red-orange dunes lies perhaps the most iconic of all landscapes in Namibia: here, dunes curve and tower high above a flat white salt and clay pan. Welcome to Sossusvlei, poster-spot for the oldest desert in the world, the Namib. It’s also here that you’ll find Deadvlei, a place much loved by photographers for the pitch-black dead camel thorn trees – estimated to be about 900 years old – that are scattered in the foreground against the immense red dunes.”

- Narina Exelby

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PLAN MY JOURNEY

Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert

In a country revered for its landscapes, Sossusvlei and the surrounding Namib Desert (at 50-million years, thought to be the oldest desert on Earth) really are something special. The shapes and sheer scale of the deep red-orange dunes, sculpted by the wind and ever-changing, are mesmerising.

The Namib Desert extends for 81,000 square kilometres – almost the size of Austria. Its dunes are among the highest on the planet and the tallest is Sossusvlei, Big Daddy (about 325m), is best climbed in the early morning. It’s a very challenging climb, but it offers an unforgettable view of Deadvlei: set against a backdrop of intensely blue sky, the rust-coloured dunes curve gently around a foreground that’s almost white, while bare, black remains of camel thorn trees create the focal point. The most-photographed dune around Sossusvlei is probably the very accessible Dune 45, which is just 45km from the town of Sesriem. It’s about 170m high, and the top offers exceptional views of a rolling sea of dunes.

Until about 60,000 years ago the Tsauchab River flowed into the Atlantic Ocean; its course, however, is now blocked by sand dunes. Sossusvlei is a striking remnant of those times (“vlei” means “marsh” in Afrikaans), as is the short Sesriem Canyon, east of Sossusvlei, which was carved over millions of years by the river. It’s only about a kilometre long, and the dramatic rock formations in the canyon make it well worth a visit.

Sossusvlei and much of the Namib Desert fall within the Namib-Naukluft National Park. While it might look incredibly barren, there are many creatures that thrive in the Namib Desert and doing a guided walk in the dunes will bring a greater appreciation of the often unique flora and fauna in the area.

When to go

Find out when is best to visit

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WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’

This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are still very rare, usually taking the form of a short sharp thunderstorm.

A season of change as the landscape transforms into a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present.

Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 28°C/82°F midday, but can occasionally rise well above this. Night time lows average a comfortable 17°C/63°F.

Like the rest of Namibia, Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert has an arid climate with very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. Although the country can be visited throughout the year, it is generally at it's best during the peak of the dry season when day time temperatures are a little more pleasant. . Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery and fantastic birding make for a wonderful and unique experience.

WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’

This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are still very rare, usually taking the form of a short sharp thunderstorm.

A season of change as the landscape transforms into a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present.

Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 28°C/82°F midday, but can occasionally rise well above this. Night time lows average a comfortable 17°C/63°F.

Like the rest of Namibia, Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert has an arid climate with very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. Although the country can be visited throughout the year, it is generally at it's best during the peak of the dry season when day time temperatures are a little more pleasant. . Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery and fantastic birding make for a wonderful and unique experience.

WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’

This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are still very rare, usually taking the form of a short sharp thunderstorm.

A season of change as the landscape transforms into a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present.

Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 28°C/82°F midday, but can occasionally rise well above this. Night time lows average a comfortable 17°C/63°F.

Like the rest of Namibia, Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert has an arid climate with very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. Although the country can be visited throughout the year, it is generally at it's best during the peak of the dry season when day time temperatures are a little more pleasant. . Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery and fantastic birding make for a wonderful and unique experience.

WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’

This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are still very rare, usually taking the form of a short sharp thunderstorm.

A season of change as the landscape transforms into a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present.

Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 28°C/82°F midday, but can occasionally rise well above this. Night time lows average a comfortable 17°C/63°F.

Like the rest of Namibia, Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert has an arid climate with very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. Although the country can be visited throughout the year, it is generally at it's best during the peak of the dry season when day time temperatures are a little more pleasant. . Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery and fantastic birding make for a wonderful and unique experience.

DRY SEASON

Clear skies and dry conditions dominate, the landscape returns to its semi-arid state as the drought continues.

Midday temperatures are suprisingly cool, averaging around 23°C/73°F, while night temperatures average a low of 10°C/50°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!

Like the rest of Namibia, Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert has an arid climate with very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. Although the country can be visited throughout the year, it is generally at it's best during the peak of the dry season when day time temperatures are a little more pleasant. . Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery and fantastic birding make for a wonderful and unique experience.

DRY SEASON

Clear skies and dry conditions dominate, the landscape returns to its semi-arid state as the drought continues.

Midday temperatures are suprisingly cool, averaging around 23°C/73°F, while night temperatures average a low of 10°C/50°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!

Like the rest of Namibia, Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert has an arid climate with very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. Although the country can be visited throughout the year, it is generally at it's best during the peak of the dry season when day time temperatures are a little more pleasant. . Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery and fantastic birding make for a wonderful and unique experience.

DRY SEASON

Clear skies and dry conditions dominate, the landscape returns to its semi-arid state as the drought continues.

Midday temperatures are suprisingly cool, averaging around 23°C/73°F, while night temperatures average a low of 10°C/50°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!

Like the rest of Namibia, Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert has an arid climate with very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. Although the country can be visited throughout the year, it is generally at it's best during the peak of the dry season when day time temperatures are a little more pleasant. . Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery and fantastic birding make for a wonderful and unique experience.

DRY SEASON

Clear skies and dry conditions dominate, the landscape returns to its semi-arid state as the drought continues.

Midday temperatures are suprisingly cool, averaging around 23°C/73°F, while night temperatures average a low of 10°C/50°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!

Like the rest of Namibia, Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert has an arid climate with very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. Although the country can be visited throughout the year, it is generally at it's best during the peak of the dry season when day time temperatures are a little more pleasant. . Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery and fantastic birding make for a wonderful and unique experience.

DRY SEASON

Temperatures continue to rise before the start of the rains, with average midday temperatures 26°C/29°F, it is however not uncommon for much warmer days than this.

Like the rest of Namibia, Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert has an arid climate with very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. Although the country can be visited throughout the year, it is generally at it's best during the peak of the dry season when day time temperatures are a little more pleasant. . Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery and fantastic birding make for a wonderful and unique experience.

DRY SEASON

Temperatures continue to rise before the start of the rains, with average midday temperatures 26°C/29°F, it is however not uncommon for much warmer days than this.

Like the rest of Namibia, Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert has an arid climate with very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. Although the country can be visited throughout the year, it is generally at it's best during the peak of the dry season when day time temperatures are a little more pleasant. . Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery and fantastic birding make for a wonderful and unique experience.

WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’

This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread out.

A season of change as the landscape transforms into a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present.

Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 26°C/29°F midday, but can occasionally rise well above this. Night time lows average a comfortable 17°C/63°F.

Like the rest of Namibia, Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert has an arid climate with very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. Although the country can be visited throughout the year, it is generally at it's best during the peak of the dry season when day time temperatures are a little more pleasant. . Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery and fantastic birding make for a wonderful and unique experience.

WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’

This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread out.

A season of change as the landscape transforms into a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present.

Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 26°C/29°F midday, but can occasionally rise well above this. Night time lows average a comfortable 17°C/63°F.

Like the rest of Namibia, Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert has an arid climate with very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. Although the country can be visited throughout the year, it is generally at it's best during the peak of the dry season when day time temperatures are a little more pleasant. . Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; a rich diversity of blooming flowers, beautiful green scenery and fantastic birding make for a wonderful and unique experience.

Explore Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert Properties

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