Sossusvlei is Namibia’s best-known attraction, famous for its imposing orange-red dunes in the oldest desert in the world.

What animals can be found in Sossusvlei?

The ‘sand sea’ of Sossusvlei is home to some unique desert-adapted wildlife found nowhere else on earth. Venture out on a game drive or nature walk, keeping an eye out for ostriches, springbok, oryx, black-backed jackals, bat-eared foxes, perhaps an aardwolf, or Namibia’s endemic dune lark.

When is the best time to visit Sossusvlei?

Sossusvlei can be visited any time of the year, but the best time is either in autumn or spring. During these times, you’ll find clearer skies to take advantage of the fantastic night-time photographic opportunities and milder temperatures, to enjoy exploring the dunes by day and a glorious sleep-out at night.

Where is Sossusvlei located?

It’s located in the southern part of the Namib Desert in the Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia.

What should I pack on a safari to Sossusvlei?

You’ll explore Sossusvlei and surrounds on foot or by e-bike, so pack some sturdy, comfortable shoes. There also isn’t much shade, so pack airy and light-coloured clothing to keep cool. Also, bring plenty of sunblock, your swimsuit, and a good hat.

What is special about Sossusvlei in Namibia?

It’s located in one of the largest conservation areas in Africa, the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Sossusvlei is Namibia’s best-known attraction, famous for its imposing orange-red dunes in the oldest desert in the world.

How do we get to Sossusvlei?

Both Little Kulala and Kulala Desert Lodge offer private entry to Sossusvlei, for unrivalled exclusive access from which to explore its iconic landmarks.

What to do in Sossusvlei?

Visit the hauntingly beautiful Dead Vlei. Climb Big Daddy dune. Hike in Sesriem Canyon. Take to the sky in a hot-air balloon for mesmerising views of the red desert. Explore the wilderness on guided walks and nature drives or opt to cycle or ride an e-fatbike. Star gaze from your suite’s roof, taking in the sights and sounds of this astonishing wild area.

Where to stay in Sossusvlei?

Little Kulala and Kulala Desert Lodge. Located in the 27,000 ha Kulala Wilderness Reserve, our camps have access to a private gate close to Sossusvlei, for unrivalled experiences of one of Namibia’s most famous natural landmarks.

Why is Dune 45 in Namibia called that?

It’s at kilometre 45 on the road that connects the Sesriem gate to Sossusvlei.

Namibia

Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei, in the Namib – one of the world’s oldest deserts – is a photographer's dream. Sun-drenched dunes, in a sea of ochre-red sand.

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Wilderness Namibia Kulala Sossusvlei Hiking Trail

Experience the serenity of Sossusvlei

Explore horizon-wide vistas on your Sossusvlei adventure. Spend evenings dining under the stars. Venture on foot or e-fatbike over a landscape that’s remained unchanged for millions of years. Spot desert-adapted wildlife such as ostriches, oryx, bat-eared foxes, or even the endemic dune lark. At dusk hear the call of barking geckos, as you fall asleep under a star-filled Namibian sky.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Sossusvlei at a glance

Have you heard of Dune 45 and Big Daddy? Marvel at these world-famous Sossusvlei dunes, which are yours to explore from our luxury camps. These dunes in the Namib-Naukluft Park are part of the Namib Sand Sea – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The world’s only coastal desert with widespread dune fields where fog is the main source of water.

Key Facts

Habitats

Wildlife

Weather

Sossusvlei key facts

Improbably beautiful. There’s much to discover at Sossusvlei. From the tallest sand dunes in the world to a fascinating 1.8 km-deep canyon, intriguing desert-adapted wildlife and 900-year old fossilised camelthorn trees at Dead Vlei, the area is best explored from our two captivating desert retreats – Little Kulala and Kulala Desert Lodge.

GEOGRAPHIC SIZE

32,000km²

BIRD SPECIES

+/- 370

MAMMAL SPECIES

+/- 23

BEST TIME TO VISIT

All year round

WILDERNESS CAMPS

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Weather

With an average of 300 sunny days, Sossusvlei can be visited any time of the year. Depending on the amount of rainfall, the desert plains may be transformed into lush grassland. Dramatic Dead Vlei occasionally fills with water in late summer – a rare and special sight. All forms of life are attracted to these short-lived pools of water.

DRY SEASON

June to October

SUMMER SEASON

December to March

TRANSITIONAL SEASON

April, May, November

Key Facts

Sossusvlei key facts

Improbably beautiful. There’s much to discover at Sossusvlei. From the tallest sand dunes in the world to a fascinating 1.8 km-deep canyon, intriguing desert-adapted wildlife and 900-year old fossilised camelthorn trees at Dead Vlei, the area is best explored from our two captivating desert retreats – Little Kulala and Kulala Desert Lodge.

GEOGRAPHIC SIZE

32,000km²

BIRD SPECIES

+/- 370

MAMMAL SPECIES

+/- 23

BEST TIME TO VISIT

All year round

WILDERNESS CAMPS

2

Habitats

Wildlife

Weather

With an average of 300 sunny days, Sossusvlei can be visited any time of the year. Depending on the amount of rainfall, the desert plains may be transformed into lush grassland. Dramatic Dead Vlei occasionally fills with water in late summer – a rare and special sight. All forms of life are attracted to these short-lived pools of water.

DRY SEASON

June to October

SUMMER SEASON

December to March

TRANSITIONAL SEASON

April, May, November

THINGS TO DO

Sossusvlei experiences

The Sossusvlei dunefield sets the stage for some thrilling adventures. Conquer the 300-metre orange dunes at Sossusvlei itself, and take in the view across a sea of sand. On the Kulala Wilderness Reserve, cycle past a herd of oryx, maybe an ostrich or two, or up the speed on a quad bike sunset ride. Savour a glass of bubbly over breakfast after a hot-air balloon ride.

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Nature drives

Get close to rare wildlife, explore otherworldly landscapes and immerse yourself in uncharted territory on a nature drive.

Nature Drives

Namibia

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Safari wonders & attractions

There’s something epic awaiting at every one of our destinations. Discover Africa’s top attractions when you safari with us.

Safari wonders & attractions

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda

Wilderness Experiences Fat Bike Namibia Little Kulala

Wilderness e-bike

Is there any better way to explore the vast Sand Sea of the Namib Desert, than on an electric bike?

Desert e-biking

Namibia

Birding

Birding with a knowledgeable Wilderness guide is spectacular across all our regions, with 930 different species for twitchers to tick.

Birding

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Stargazing

Lie on a blanket, behold the beauty of your surrounds, and contemplate space and your place in it when you go stargazing.

Stargazing

Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

Star Beds

Sleep out under the African night sky with our Star Bed experience. Nothing is quite as thrilling or as romantic on safari.

Star Beds

Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe

Explore the desert from the skies in a hot air balloon

Hot air ballooning

Be a bird for an hour or so. Fly high in a hot-air balloon for an unparalleled perspective on the wildlife and landscape below.

Hot Air Ballooning

Namibia & Tanzania

Wilderness Experiences Quadbiking at Little Kulala

Guided quad biking

Feel the wind against your face and experience the adrenaline kick on a Namib Desert quad bike adventure across the vast dunefields of the Kunene region.

Guided Quad Biking

Namibia

Wilderness Experiences Nature Walk Rwanda

Nature walks

Have your camera ready and lace up your walking shoes - once your feet touch African soil, you’ll understand the magic.

Nature Walks

Namibia, Rwanda

Guided walking safaris

Slow down and pay attention to the smaller details of the safari experience on a walking safari with our professional guides.

Guided Walking Safaris

Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia

TRAVEL WITH US

Journey with Wilderness

A journey to Sossusvlei completes your Namibia encounter. Visit vast, ancient landscapes, iconic burnt orange sand dunes, coupled with fascinating wildlife not found anywhere else in Namibia.

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Explore camps in Sossusvlei

No visit to Namibia is complete without a visit to the dunes and escarpment of the oldest desert in the world – the Namib. Best explored from our two elegant desert sanctuaries, Kulala Desert Lodge and Little Kulala. Located in the 27,000 ha Kulala Wilderness Reserve, our camps feature a private gate to Sossusvlei, for the closest, exclusive access to one of the most famous landmarks in Namibia.

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JOURNAL

Sossusvlei featured stories

Wander across ancient sand dunes with us. Scroll through our award-winning wildlife images, travel tales in Sossusvlei, Namibia and updates from the desert. Coffee hot? Comfortable? Enjoy.

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