Safari experts & storytellers. Since 1991
Trust us to find you the rarest animals, the most spectacular wildlife events, the remotest landscapes and deeply meaningful cultural encounters!
Why visit Sossusvlei?
The scenic beauty of Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei. A sought-after subject for photographers, the dunes are best viewed at the beginning and end of the day, when their warm tones starkly contrast with the glaring pale surfaces of the large clay pans scattered amongst them.
The tiring but exhilarating climb up Dune 45 and Big Daddy, amongst the tallest dunes in the world
Dawn hot-air balloon trips over the dunes, followed by a champagne breakfast in the desert
Desert-adapted wildlife such as gemsbok and ostrich
READ MORE about Sossusvlei and Western Namibia
Sossusvlei quick facts & tips
Sossusvlei is at the heart of the enormous Namib-Naukluft National Park, which is Namibia’s largest protected area at 50,000km2 (5 million hectares).
The tallest Sossusvlei dune is Dune 7, standing at 388m, while Big Daddy overlooks the Sossusvlei area from a height of 325m.
Not far from Sossusvlei and flanked by Dune 45, Deadvlei is equally scenic. Here, the skeletons of trees fed by a river now long redirected bear testament to the harshness of the desert. The lack of moisture has prevented the trees’ natural decomposition, leaving them standing as eerie silhouettes against the pale white of the salt pan.
How were the Sossusvlei dunes formed?
Sossusvlei is an endorheic drainage basin for the Tsauchab River, with "Sossusvlei" roughly translating as "no return" or "dead-end marsh". Spectacular dunes, coloured bright red and orange by oxidised iron, surround the salt and clay pan. The Tsauchab River is ephemeral, and years of dry can pass before it flows, filling the bottom of the pan with precious but short-lived water.
Formed over millions of years, these huge dunes are composed entirely of sand that has blown in from the Kalahari Desert and the mouth of the Orange River.
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Sossusvlei FAQs
The Namib Desert has a hyper-arid climate with minimal rainfall (2mm) and significant temperature fluctuations, depending on the time of day and month. The coolest temperatures occur from May to October, with average high temperatures reaching 27°C (81°F), while morning temperatures range from freezing to 7°C (45°F). It is also described as the dry season in Namibia. In comparison, November to March experience high temperatures, with average daytime temperatures reaching 30+°C (86+°F). This period is known as the rainy season throughout the rest of Namibia.
The best time to visit Sossusvlei is during the cooler months of May to October, when cool, dry conditions allow you to explore the desert without experiencing extreme heat.
Peak season bookings require 12–18 months advance planning. Trips outside of peak season can be arranged 6–9 months ahead, with better rates and availability.
Safaris to lodges in private reserves bordering Sossusvlei typically cost from US$700 per person, per night, depending on the level of accommodation and activities. Our packages offer excellent value with transparent pricing.
Our safari prices typically include accommodation, all meals and described activities, park fees, experienced guides, airport transfers and 24/7 support from our team. Specific inclusions vary by package – contact us for detailed itineraries.
You only make your first payment when you book your Sossusvlei holiday. Your second (last) payment is about 90 days before you travel.
We have been handcrafting experiential safaris since 1991. Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Booking through a respected tour operator with many years of experience means that all you need to focus on is helping us design your safari and then having a superb vacation. The rest - all the nitty-gritty detail and admin is done while you relax. Our 24/7 concierges take care of problems such as flight changes and missed flights, last-minute road transfer and lodge changes due to unexpected events, and itinerary changes requested by you.
Remember that you will not save money by attempting to book and manage your own safari, but you will inherit mistakes and problems that arise.
Yes, your money is safe. Your payments go into a third-party TRUST ACCOUNT - protecting them in the unlikely event of a financial setback on our part. Also, we are members of SATSA who attest to our integrity, legal compliance and financial stability. See what travellers say about us.
YES, by booking your safari with Africa Geographic, you make a significant difference because:
We donate a portion of every safari sold to selected conservation efforts at ground level
Your safari supports our conservation publishing efforts, which educate the world about Africa's incredible biodiversity and the local people who protect it
Our chosen lodges support local community initiatives, ensuring that tourism benefits the nearby villages directly. They also adhere to strict environmental practices, such as limited vehicle numbers and sustainable camp operations, which help protect the ecosystem
YOUR safari choice does make a difference - thank you!
Start planning your Sossusvlei holiday
Our travel experts will craft a no-obligation itinerary just for you. We have crafted over 5,000 safaris since 1991. Your personal details are protected; we only use this information to contact you.
Why choose us to craft your safari?
Handcrafted experiential safaris since 1991.
Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Trust & Safety
Guest payments go into a third-party TRUST ACCOUNT - protecting them in the unlikely event of a financial setback on our part. Also, we are members of SATSA who attest to our integrity, legal compliance and financial stability.
Make a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
YOUR safari choice does make a difference - thank you!