Sossusvlei & Namibrand Travel Guide
A must-see in Namibia, sky-high dunes and an ancient desert offer endless beauty and adventure.
The Namib-Naukluft National Park is home to the Naukluft mountain range and the Namib Desert, the world’s oldest desert.
Where adventurous travellers can climb the iconic dunes, revel in the aura of Deadvlei, and picnic in the desert, all while learning about the unique geology of this celebrated corner of Africa.
In the adjoining NamibRand Private Nature Reserve you’ll find a similarly memorable landscape, of Namibia’s mysterious ‘fairy circles’ and rugged deserts that play host to a surprising diversity of wildlife. If you visit only place in Namibia, make it Sossuvlei and the NamibRand.
The towering sand dunes of the Namib-Naukluft National Park are the star attraction of western Namibia, with a sea of ochre dunes standing more than 300-metres tall. The views are spectacular from all perspectives, but if you’re fit a climb up is well worth the effort to admire the remarkable desert panoramas. At the foot of the dunes, the preserved pans and desiccated trees of Deadvlei form an otherworldly setting.
It’s one of Africa’s most enigmatic landscapes, and perhaps best admired from a hot-air balloon, as you drift silently across this ancient desert. Balloons take off at sunrise to make the most of calm conditions and perfect light for photography.
An hour’s drive from Sossusvlei is the NamibRand Private Nature Reserve. With 200 000-hectares (494 000-acres) of land set aside for conservation it is one of southern Africa’s largest private reserves. The handful of exclusive lodges here range from unrivalled desert luxury to comfortable under-canvas suites perched atop ochre dunes. Nature drives, desert walks, rock-art discovery and quad-bike adventures ensure days here are filled with adventure.
And the nights are filled with celestial discovery: in 2012 the NamibRand was certified as Africa’s first International Dark-Sky Reserve, and a handful of lodges offer on-site telescopes and observatories to help you learn more of the southern skies.
There are no local restaurants in this remote corner of Namibia, and all meals will be enjoyed in the comfort of your lodge, or as memorable picnics on day-long excursions into the dunes and desert landscape.
Come evening indulge in unforgettable sundowners atop ochre sand dunes, before dining al fresco beneath African stars. At selected lodges a separate ‘boma’ offers outdoor barbecue feasts cooked over open fires.
Pack with the plan to spend plenty of time outdoors: comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots are essential, as is a wide-brimmed hat and plenty of sunscreen. Aim for light cotton clothing in neutral colours that can be worn in layers, adjusting to the rising temperatures through the day. Certainly don’t forget a bathing suit for cooling off in the lodge pool on hot summer afternoons.
Lodges in the NamibRand and Sossusvlei usually offer a small on-site boutique stocking personal hygiene basics, branded clothing and souvenirs, but don’t forget your camera, spare memory cards and specific charging cables.
Also ensure you have sufficient supplies of any required medication before arrival.
The deserts of western Namibia are truly a year-round destination, with each season offering its own character. Winter months (May-October) are the most comfortable times for touring, with warm days and cold nights. The clear night skies making this the best time for stargazing.
However, the searing days of summer offer an unforgettable desert experience all their own: the sands shimmer with heat, and the summer rainfall sees an unlikely sea of grassland erupt from this arid landscape.
Sossusvlei and the NamibRand are entirely free of malaria, and no anti-malarial medication is required.
Situated approximately 300-kilometres (180-miles) south-west of Windhoek, the NamibRand Nature Reserve and Sossusvlei are set on the eastern edge of the vast Namib-Naukluft National Park. Plot your Namibian adventure with our useful travel maps…
Sossusvlei and the NamibRand are wonderfully remote, which means travelling by road from either Swakopmund or Windhoek consumes hours of precious vacation time. We recommend a private air charter as the best way to reach the region.
Namibia Travel Destinations
Africa By Design
For more information on customised and incentive travelling to these and other exclusive Southern Africa destinations, please feel free to contact us weekdays during office hours 9am-5pm UCT+2
Contact Us
+27 (0)21 430 3930
[email protected]
Travel Information
Embark on a journey through Africa with our expert tips and guidelines!