The Namib Desert runs several hundred kilometres along the southwest part of Namibia and there are many beautiful places to experience the beauty of this remote place and from all of them you can drive into the heart of the desert to experience the well known highlights - Sesriem Canyon, Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Dune 45, Elim Dune and Big Daddy Dune.
What to do around Sesriem
- Sossuvlei
- Sesriem Canyon
- Dune 45
- Elim Dune
- Deadvlei
- Big Daddy Dune
- Namib Desert
- Naukluft Mountains
- Hot Air Balloon
- Scenic Flights
There is one road into these sights and that is controlled at a gate at Sesriem which opens at Sunrise and closes at sunset, the majority of accommodation is outside of this gate, there are also 4 places to stay inside this gate these are designated as accommodation inside the National Park.
However they still don’t get to visit the desert whenever they like because there is a second gate between them and the desert which opens one hour before sunrise and closes one hour after sunset, which means if you stay at any one of those four places you can get into the desert one hour earlier than staying outside the National Park and remain in the desert one hour longer.
This is really only a slight advantage as in the morning you can get a bit further into the desert to watch sunrise but even entering into the National Park at sunrise you can still get to the sand dunes for the early morning light and Deadvlei and Sossusvlei only get sunlight in them an hour after sunrise and approaching sunset the extra hour is not enough to see stars around Deadvlei (that starts 3 hours after sunset) and there are great views for sunset from Elim Dune which is only 15 minutes from the Park gate.
Photographers are the exception here but that’s for another page.
Sesriem
Sesriem is the entrance gate into the Namib National Park and provides access to Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Dune 45, Sesriem Canyon and Elim Dune. There are 2 campsites and 2 lodges inside Sesriem gate.
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is a large flat marsh area in the heart of the Namib Desert, it is where the river used to end and is surrounded by towering sand dunes which you can climb to get views over the Namib desert.
Big Daddy Dune
Towering 325 metres overlooking Deadvlei is Namibia's highest sand dune, if you set off early enough in the morning you can climb it for sunrise but it will take you about an hour after arriving at the 2wd parking area.
Deadvlei
A large dried up lake bed where ancient tree remains stick up out of the white clay lakebed. Deadvlei, meaning dead marsh, is surrounded by the highest sanddunes in Namibia Big Daddy being the biggest. A photographers dream of light, shades and colours.
Dune 45
45 kilometres from Sesriem gate is this beautiful star dune, over 170 metres high it is a very easy big sand dune to visit on the road to Sossusvlei. A good option for sunrise if you are staying outside the park, also great to visit on the way back from Deadvlei.
Elim Dune
Often referred to as sunset dune this is a red sand dune that is located close to the Sesriem entrance gate into the Namib National Park and a favourite for watching the sunrise and still close enough to exit the park before gate closing time.
Sesriem Canyon
Sesriem Canyon is a narrow canyon close to the entrance gate named after 6 lengths of leather - Ses (six) riem (a strip of leather, used as a rope). Great for a gentle walk to escape the afternoon heat.
Namib Desert
The Namib Desert is a vast area and there are many places outside of the National Park where you can absorb this amazing area. Many of the accommodation choices are set in beautiful scenic desert landscapes.
Hot Air Balloon Trip
Enjoy the most spectacular start to a day floating over the Namib Desert at sunrise. Take in the amazing scenery, the splendour of the desert drifting by below you before a champagne breakfast in the desert.
Scenic Flights
Experience Sossusvlei from the sky Desert Air operates a 5-seater Cessna aircraft based at Sossusvlei Lodge with an experienced pilot who also doubles as a trained "aerial" desert guide. Each passenger has a window seat for great photographic opportunities.
Naukluft Mountains
Towering behind the desert are the Naukluft Mountains offering hikes and scenic drives where you can spot Mountain Zebra and other animals about 90 minutes drive from Sesriem. Beautiful clean mountain air.
Places to stay in
Sossusvlei & Sesriem area
All the places to stay in and around Sesriem for visiting Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert listed here
Road trips in Namibia
Here are some more ideas of road trips through Namibia, browse and see what takes your fancy, or simply send us an email with your desires and we will put your trip together for you.
Namib Desert Map
To stay inside or outside the National Park?
Both are viable options you will not miss out by staying in one of the many great places to stay near Sesriem that are outside of the National Park Gates, many are set in stunning locations with fantastic desert vistas.
How long should I stay?
2 nights minimum, first day you should arrive in time to relax and enjoy the afternoon and sunset then get an early night ready for a before dawn start the next day.
Day 2 - dawn in the desert and explore until the heat becomes too much, retreat to a nearby swimming pool then enjoy the sunset and absorb the desert atmosphere and look up at the stars.
3 nights will give you an even more relaxing experience and time to explore more of the desert areas.
4 days to really breath in the Namib Desert and get a real feel for how beautiful and extreme this area is.
5 plus days for the who want to forget the world and everything that’s going on artists, writers and photographers can spend weeks here.
What is there to see? What is there to do in the Namib desert?
The main pull is the centre of the Namib Desert where Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Dune 45 and Big Daddy Dune are located but there is a lot more: Sesriem Canyon, Elim Dune, Naukluft Mountains, Tsauchab River, the landscape is amazing in all directions and the most stars you will ever see each night.
How do I visit Sossusvlei/Deadvlei/Big Daddy?
Can I do it in a 2wd?
Yes the area is accessible in a normal sedan vehicle, roads might be a bit bumpy and a bigger vehicle with ground clearance will make the journey more comfortable but you can drive all the way into the Desert in a 2wd car, the last 7km you can take the shuttle through the deep sand.
Is it hot/cold?
October to March its very hot during the day and just hot at night
April to September its hot during the day but gets cooler at night and early morning
Mid June to Mid September its hot during the day but this are the coolest nights, (temp here) You will need layers, long trousers, fleece and blankets for late evening and early mornings.
How do I get to Sossusvlei?
The gateway into the Namib Desert is at the Sesriem Gate which is just over 300km south-east from Windhoek and is the only entrance for seeing Sesriem Canyon, Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Dune 45, Elim Dune, Big Daddy Dune.
