Sossusvlei, Namibia:

dead acacia trees in Deadvlei

After leaving the beautiful Naukluft Mountains behind, we entered the sea of dunes around Namibia’s most popular sight: Sossusvlei.

Sossusvlei is a famous clay and salt pan surrounded by the red sand dunes of the Namib Desert (some more than 300 m in height!). The ephemeral Tsauchab River floods the area every few years leaving puddles of water which dry out over the course of weeks or months. The little water reaching the pans leads to sparse vegetation and comparatively rich wildlife – nevertheless, it is the fascinating contrast between the red dunes and the white pans which draws the visitors. The natural spectacle is truly fantastic in the eary morning or late afternoon! Near the entrance to Sossusvlei lies the Sesriem Canyon which can be visited as well.

entrance gate

Sesriem Canyon

Sesriem Canyon

Sesriem Canyon

Sesriem Canyon

Sesriem Canyon

desiccation cracks

inside Elim Dune

Elim Dune

sunset on Elim Dune

Elim Dune

view from Elim Dune

sunset on Elim Dune

view towards Sesriem Campsite

grass in dunes

sunset on Elim Dune

early morning at Sossusvlei

early morning at Sossusvlei

early morning at Sossusvlei

early morning at Sossusvlei

early morning at Sossusvlei

early morning at Sossusvlei

view into Deadvlei

dead acacia tree in Deadvlei

dead acacia tree in Deadvlei

desiccation cracks

Deadvlei

Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei

dunes of the Namib Desert

on the way back to Sesriem Camp

dunes of the Namib Desert

the mysterious fairy circles

After visiting the magnificent Sossusvlei, we drove further south towards Africa’s largest canyon: the Fish River Canyon.