101 Reasons to visit Namibia: Sossusvlei

A great sense of calm surrounds any observer who looks down over a magnificent desert landscape. Much like the iconic Wanderer above the Sea of Fog, the desert landscape is awe-inspiring in its stillness.

The desert is vast and endless. A light breeze whispers through the air ancient stories of the land. This is the perfect snapshot of Namibia’s own Wanderer above the Sea of Sand. When we think of the desert, most of us would not describe it as the ideal holiday destination because many think that the desert is desolate and covered in sand. Although this might be true, a closer look reveals much more than one might expect. In the southwest of Namibia lies Sossusvlei, tucked away in the Namib Desert. The Namib Desert is hailed the world’s oldest desert and setting foot in this desert is a bucket list item.

Photo credits: Janke Murray 

The name Sossusvlei means “dead-end marsh” and owes this name to the fact that it is an endorheic drainage basin for the ephemeral Tsauchab River. This river as shaped the Sossusvlei pan in an elliptical shape and the flooding of the pan is relatively rare, but when it does flood the sight is spectacular. In the Sossusvlei area there are plenty of other landmarks that is worthwhile. Visitors can explore the Sesriem Canyon where the Tsauchab River rushes over the main gravel road into the canyon before it makes its way to Sossusvlei. The canyon is about one kilometer long and up to 30 meters deep.

The name originates from the settlers of the Dorsland Trekkers who called it “six rawhide thongs” having joined six thongs in order for a bucket to reach the water. Portions of the river contains permanent water where animals go to drink. Next to Sossusvlei and Sesriem, Deadvlei is one of the most visited attractions. About 2 kilometers away from Sossusvlei lies Deadvlei. Once nourished by water, this vlei is now dry and cradles the skeletal remains of Camelthorn trees. The black trees against the white salty floor of the pan and the red to orange dunes in the background make this a photographer’s dream. For the more adventurous and fitter ones there is the Big Daddy dune. This is the highest dune in the Sossusvlei area and is about 325 meters tall. From the top of this dune the view is amazing. In the far distance one of the many lithified dunes can be seen.

Photo credits: Janke Murray 

The desert is not entirely barren or devoid of life and when taking a closer look, one can discover plenty of life. From the moment you enter the gate oryx, springbok and ostriches can be spotted grazing at the foot of the dunes. There are also several endemic species found in the Sossusvlei area, such like the dune lark, the barking gecko and the Peringuey’s or Sidewinder adder. The most important thing to keep in mind when adding this gem to your itinerary, besides wearing sunblock, is to take a moment to absorb the beauty of Sossusvlei. Take time to hike and sit under a tree, and quite simply, just be. Apart from birdsong, silence is all you will hear. May the magic of the desert leave you relaxed and revived. 

Author: Janke Murray