Southern Africa Self-Drive · story 3 of 4 in this collection
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DestinationHardap, Namibia7 min read

Sossusvlei: Dunes at Sunrise

Red sand, white clay and the oldest desert on earth

Average rating 4.5 out of 5
4.52 reviews
Kagiso Molefe
forPublisher Wildside Expeditions
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A dead camel thorn tree on the white clay pan of Deadvlei beneath a red dune
A dead camel thorn tree on the white clay pan of Deadvlei beneath a red dune
Deadvlei, below the dunes of Sossusvlei. Photo: Diego Delso

The dunes of Sossusvlei are among the tallest in the world, and at sunrise they glow. How to be at Deadvlei before the crowds.

Inside the gate before sunrise

The Namib is thought to be the oldest desert in the world, and its dunes at Sossusvlei rise more than 300 metres above the dry bed of the Tsauchab River. Their colour comes from iron oxide, and it changes by the minute at dawn: from purple to blood-orange to apricot.
The park gate at Sesriem opens an hour before sunrise, but guests at the lodges inside the park boundary can leave earlier, which is why we book them. From the gate it is 60 kilometres of tar to Dune 45, then a sand track only four-wheel drives should attempt to the Sossusvlei and Deadvlei car parks.
Deadvlei is a white clay pan where camel thorn trees died about 700 years ago when the dunes cut off the river. In the dry air they never decayed. Arrive early and the pan is silent and empty; by ten it is hot and busy.
Dead camel thorn trees in Deadvlei
The trees in Deadvlei have stood dead for around seven centuries.

Which dune to climb

  • Big Daddy: the tallest around Deadvlei, about an hour up and a run down.
  • Dune 45: easy access from the road, busy at sunrise.
  • Big Mama: a gentler climb with a view over Sossusvlei.
  • Elim Dune: near Sesriem, good for sunset.

Carry water

Deadvlei

Open Deadvlei, Sossusvlei in Maps(opens in new tab)

About this story

Kagiso MolefeAuthor
Wildside ExpeditionsPublisher
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Reviews

Write a review
Average rating 4.5 out of 5
2 reviews
  • Ben Cohen
    4 out of 5 stars
    28 Sept

    Excellent wildlife advice. The transfers between parks take longer than suggested.

  • Grace Mwangi
    5 out of 5 stars
    17 Sept

    Honest, expert and full of respect for the places and the people. These notes made our safari.

Comments

3 comments
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  • Marco Rossi

    We did this last month and the timings were spot on. Thank you for the tip about going early.

  • Ahmed Hassan

    Any advice on getting there by public transport rather than renting a car?

  • Aroha Ngata

    Is this doable in a single day or would you split it over two?

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