Sossusvlei & South Namibia Destination Guide
The spectacular landscapes of southern Namibia are the major drawcard to this region with the Namib-Naukluft National Park being one of the country’s best attractions. In this vast wilderness you’ll find the huge sand dunes of Sossusvlei, one of the most spectacular sights in Namibia, as well as the Naukluft Mountains and Sesriem Canyon. Other great sights within southern Namibia include the Fish River Canyon and the Quiver Tree Forest.
An excursion to the world’s highest sand dunes in Sossusvlei and the magnificent Sesriem Canyon will make your desert safari vacation unforgettable.
Our Sossusvlei and Southern Namibia Destination Guide below will give you an idea of the major highlights in the region. You can also book one of our interesting tours in Sossusvlei and Southern Namibia directly with us to see the sights, or take a look at some of our general information for travelling throughout Namibia.
Things to See & Do in Sossusvlei and Southern Namibia
Follow the links below or scroll further down the page for details on some of the many interesting tourist attractions in Sossusvlei & Southern Namibia:
The Namib-Naukluft National Park
The most varied and spectacular conservation area in Namibia is the Namib Naukluft Park. Stretching across 50,000 m² it is one of the largest national parks in Africa and one of the oldest deserts on earth. The landscape is stunning and with interesting wildlife, and the main attractions include Sossusvlei, Sesriem, and the Naukluft Mountains. For accommodation, there are several basic camping sites in the Namib area and also many lodges near the park that offer private accommodation.
Naukluft Mountains
Located an hour’s drive northeast of Sesriem, the Naukluft Mountains are a treasure trove for nature lovers and geologists with their wealth of gigantic rock formations. Layers of igneous rock, dolomite, quartzite and shale form beautiful patterns. Hiking is the main activity as animals are rarely seen, and there are two circular day-hikes, the Waterkloof and Olive trails, and a long eight-day trail that is one of the hardest in Africa.
For accommodation, you can either camp at the basic sites within the park, or use one of the nearby guest farms or lodges.
NamibRand Nature Reserve
Sprawling across 180,000 hectares of magnificent desert wilderness, this reserve is the largest of the privately owned nature reserves in Southern Africa. Referred to as ‘The Living Desert’, the Namib is unique, with its gigantic expanses, never-ending horizons, striking desert landscapes and jagged mountains. It is the world’s oldest desert and features its tallest sand dunes. Wildlife, such as the rare oryx antelope, has adapted to this largely barren environment. The reserve was created in order to turn several sheep farms into one game sanctuary. In NamibRand, there are no fences to restrict the free-roaming wildlife that lives in its natural habitat.
Sossusvlei
One of the highlights of a trip to Namibia and one of the most popular places to visit is Sossusvlei. With its huge dunes (the highest 325m) that are the highest in the world, Sossusvlei is simply stunning and a paradise for photographers. Climbing the dunes gives you unforgettable views of a sea of apricot-coloured sand. Whipped into existence by multi-directional winds, these dunes are tallest where the Tsauchab River flows into the vlei. When the rains are sufficient, the river fills the main basin, and aquatic birds such as flamingos are drawn to the area.
The Sesriem Canyon, with its narrow gorge that runs for about 1km, stands at the entrance to Sossusvlei. The gorge dives to 30 m-40 m and at its foot you’ll find pools that fill up after a good bout of rain.
Sossusvlei is best viewed at sunrise and sunset when the colours are constantly changing. It is also cooler at this time as the midday heat can be intense.
Sesriem is the gateway to Sossusvlei and offers numerous campsites and lodges, as well as fuel, supplies and cold drinks.
Hidden Vlei
Reached by climbing over the dunes, you’ll find dead acacia trees in Hidden Vlei.
Dead Vlei
A salt encrusted dry lake. More accessible than Hidden Vlei, you’ll also find the skeletons of 500 year old acacia trees in this starkly beautiful old pan. Follow the signs from the carpark to reach Dead Vlei.
Naukluft Mountains
Located an hour’s drive northeast of Sesriem, the Naukluft Mountains are a treasure trove for nature lovers and geologists with their wealth of gigantic rock formations. Layers of igneous rock, dolomite, quartzite and shale form beautiful patterns. Hiking is the main activity as animals are rarely seen, and there are two circular day-hikes, the Waterkloof and Olive trails, and a long eight-day trail that is one of the hardest in Africa.
For accommodation, you can either camp at the basic sites within the park, or use one of the nearby guest farms or lodges.
NamibRand Nature Reserve
Sprawling across 180,000 hectares of magnificent desert wilderness, this reserve is the largest of the privately owned nature reserves in Southern Africa. Referred to as ‘The Living Desert’, the Namib is unique, with its gigantic expanses, never-ending horizons, striking desert landscapes and jagged mountains. It is the world’s oldest desert and features its tallest sand dunes. Wildlife, such as the rare oryx antelope, has adapted to this largely barren environment. The reserve was created in order to turn several sheep farms into one game sanctuary. In NamibRand, there are no fences to restrict the free-roaming wildlife that lives in its natural habitat.
Sossusvlei
One of the highlights of a trip to Namibia and one of the most popular places to visit is Sossusvlei. With its huge dunes (the highest 325m) that are the highest in the world, Sossusvlei is simply stunning and a paradise for photographers. Climbing the dunes gives you unforgettable views of a sea of apricot-coloured sand. Whipped into existence by multi-directional winds, these dunes are tallest where the Tsauchab River flows into the vlei. When the rains are sufficient, the river fills the main basin, and aquatic birds such as flamingos are drawn to the area.
The Sesriem Canyon, with its narrow gorge that runs for about 1km, stands at the entrance to Sossusvlei. The gorge dives to 30 m-40 m and at its foot you’ll find pools that fill up after a good bout of rain.
Sossusvlei is best viewed at sunrise and sunset when the colours are constantly changing. It is also cooler at this time as the midday heat can be intense.
Sesriem is the gateway to Sossusvlei and offers numerous campsites and lodges, as well as fuel, supplies and cold drinks.
Hidden Vlei
Reached by climbing over the dunes, you’ll find dead acacia trees in Hidden Vlei.
Dead Vlei
A salt encrusted dry lake. More accessible than Hidden Vlei, you’ll also find the skeletons of 500 year old acacia trees in this starkly beautiful old pan. Follow the signs from the carpark to reach Dead Vlei.
The Fish River Canyon
The Fish River Canyon is the second largest in the world, next to Arizona’s Grand Canyon. It sits on an arid, stony plain, on which thrive drought-resistant succulents like the quiver tree. This spectacular canyon is 160 km long, 27 km wide and 550 m deep.
As the flow of water is regular in the canyon, you will always find pools full of large and small largemouth yellow fish, mozambique tilapia, sharp tooth catfish and common carp. Rock dassie, baboon, klipspringer and ground squirrel are often spotted in the canyon, and you might come across the tracks of mountain zebras and leopards at the waterholes.
The 4-5 day hike on the 90km hiking trail at Fish River Canyon is spectacular but highly challenging. In fact, it’s one of the biggest dares for hikers in southern Africa. The trek begins at Hiker’s Point and ends in Ai-Ais, however only one group is permitted per day and this must be booked in advance. You can stay at the Hobas campsite or at the Ai-Ais Hot Spring Resort.
The only way to get to Fish River Canyon is by car or on an organised tour. It is possible to visit the canyon as a day-trip from the nearby towns of Keetmanshoop, Karasburg, Grünau and Seeheim. There are also options to stay closer at one of the private lodges, or at Hobas Campsite or Ai-Ais. Half hour flights over the canyon are also possible from Cañon Lodge.
As the flow of water is regular in the canyon, you will always find pools full of large and small largemouth yellow fish, mozambique tilapia, sharp tooth catfish and common carp. Rock dassie, baboon, klipspringer and ground squirrel are often spotted in the canyon, and you might come across the tracks of mountain zebras and leopards at the waterholes.
The 4-5 day hike on the 90km hiking trail at Fish River Canyon is spectacular but highly challenging. In fact, it’s one of the biggest dares for hikers in southern Africa. The trek begins at Hiker’s Point and ends in Ai-Ais, however only one group is permitted per day and this must be booked in advance. You can stay at the Hobas campsite or at the Ai-Ais Hot Spring Resort.
The only way to get to Fish River Canyon is by car or on an organised tour. It is possible to visit the canyon as a day-trip from the nearby towns of Keetmanshoop, Karasburg, Grünau and Seeheim. There are also options to stay closer at one of the private lodges, or at Hobas Campsite or Ai-Ais. Half hour flights over the canyon are also possible from Cañon Lodge.
Quiver Tree Forest
You can visit the much photographed Quiver Tree Forest at the Gariganus Farm, situated 14km north east of Keetmanshoop. It is a dense group of Aloe dichotoma trees which are found all over southern Namibia but rarely are so many together. These skeletal trees are used by Bushmen to make quivers for their arrows, hence the name.
The “Giant's Playground", a site dotted with huge basalt boulders, is just 5km further down the M29 from the Quiver Tree Forest and also worth a visit.
The “Giant's Playground", a site dotted with huge basalt boulders, is just 5km further down the M29 from the Quiver Tree Forest and also worth a visit.
Gondwana Cañon Park
In 1996, a group of Namibians set out to preserve a small region in southern Namibia. This area borders the eastern side of the Fish River Canyon National Park. And the Gondwana Cañon Park was born. Decades of sheep farming here had been threatening the land’s wealth of flora and fauna until this dedicated group rescued it. The inadequate rainfall (less than 100 mm a year) in this semi-desert had made the concept of sheep farming unsustainable in the long run. This idealistic little venture is today a full-scale park stretching across 100,000 ha. It is a success story for southern Namibia as there has been a significant recovery of the flora and fauna in just a short time.
Towns in Southern Namibia
Keetmanshoop
South Namibia’s traffic junction and economic hub is Keetmanshoop, which means 'the hope of Keetman’. The Keetmanshoop Museum, built in 1895, is housed in the Rhenish Mission Church. The church, recognised in 1978 as a monument of national importance, is a famous land mark in the town of Keetmanshoop. Apart from the church, Keetmanshoop doesn’t have many attractions but makes a good stopover for exploring the south.
Aus
Aus, a little desert town, lies east of Luderitz at a distance of 125 km. The definition of this German name is 'out', but its source could also be a Khoi-Khoi word which translates to the ‘place of the snakes'. The town is ensconced between several hills, and one of the main attractions of this region is the Namib Feral Horses. Most of the safaris that come this way take tourists to this area. It is a small town but has a number of amenities, including hotels, stores, a police station and a garage.
Bethanie
Bethanie is known as the oldest settlement in Namibia. Located on the road between Keetmanshoop and Luderitz, it was founded by the London Missionary Society in the 1800’s but they sent a German, Reverend Heinrich Schmelen. He built his ‘Schmelenhause’ in 1814, the oldest building in Namibia and currently a National monument and museum. The first recorded deed of sale was recorded in Bethanie for the land which would become Luderitz.
Mariental
The tiny town of Mariental was once a thriving Karakul sheep market. Today, the farmers here make a living from indigenous species of game such as ostrich. Most travellers just pass through Mariental on the B1, stopping only for petrol, supplies and drinks.
Kolmanskoppe
Kolmanskoppe, a coastal town in the Namib Desert, 20 km east of Lüderitz, owes its establishment to the discovery of diamonds here in 1908. However, it was destined to live only for 40 years. Today, a ghost town, its crumbling stately homes, blown down by the winds, are slowly being immersed in sand dunes.
In the beginning, the town was not much more than a small train station, but this changed radically when people discovered the ground nearby littered with diamonds. Kolmanskoppe turned into a prosperous town, but only till the diamonds lasted. In the fifties the town was finally abandoned. It is said that Kolmanskoppe possessed the convenience of electricity even before London.
South Namibia’s traffic junction and economic hub is Keetmanshoop, which means 'the hope of Keetman’. The Keetmanshoop Museum, built in 1895, is housed in the Rhenish Mission Church. The church, recognised in 1978 as a monument of national importance, is a famous land mark in the town of Keetmanshoop. Apart from the church, Keetmanshoop doesn’t have many attractions but makes a good stopover for exploring the south.
Aus
Aus, a little desert town, lies east of Luderitz at a distance of 125 km. The definition of this German name is 'out', but its source could also be a Khoi-Khoi word which translates to the ‘place of the snakes'. The town is ensconced between several hills, and one of the main attractions of this region is the Namib Feral Horses. Most of the safaris that come this way take tourists to this area. It is a small town but has a number of amenities, including hotels, stores, a police station and a garage.
Bethanie
Bethanie is known as the oldest settlement in Namibia. Located on the road between Keetmanshoop and Luderitz, it was founded by the London Missionary Society in the 1800’s but they sent a German, Reverend Heinrich Schmelen. He built his ‘Schmelenhause’ in 1814, the oldest building in Namibia and currently a National monument and museum. The first recorded deed of sale was recorded in Bethanie for the land which would become Luderitz.
Mariental
The tiny town of Mariental was once a thriving Karakul sheep market. Today, the farmers here make a living from indigenous species of game such as ostrich. Most travellers just pass through Mariental on the B1, stopping only for petrol, supplies and drinks.
Kolmanskoppe
Kolmanskoppe, a coastal town in the Namib Desert, 20 km east of Lüderitz, owes its establishment to the discovery of diamonds here in 1908. However, it was destined to live only for 40 years. Today, a ghost town, its crumbling stately homes, blown down by the winds, are slowly being immersed in sand dunes.
In the beginning, the town was not much more than a small train station, but this changed radically when people discovered the ground nearby littered with diamonds. Kolmanskoppe turned into a prosperous town, but only till the diamonds lasted. In the fifties the town was finally abandoned. It is said that Kolmanskoppe possessed the convenience of electricity even before London.
