Discover Sossusvlei

The sand dunes, up to 300 meters high and deep red from iron oxide, rank among the highest in the world and form spectacular geometric patterns at sunrise through the interplay of light and shadow, above all the easily climbable Dune 45.

The white, dried-out clay pan is home to dead camel thorn trees over 900 years old that, thanks to the extremely dry climate, don't rot but merely appear charred — a surreal sight against the surrounding red dunes and deep blue sky.

The narrow, roughly one-kilometer-long gorge was carved into the rock over millions of years by the Tsauchab River and can be explored on a short walking trail along the bottom, with cooler climate and interesting rock formations as a contrast to the surrounding dunes.

A hot air balloon flight over the Namib Desert at sunrise offers an unparalleled view of the endless sea of dunes and occasionally also of oryx antelope and ostriches roaming the desert landscape, followed by a champagne breakfast in the dunes.

From Windhoek, the entrance at Sesriem can be reached by rental car in about five hours via the national highway. Several small airstrips in the area also offer charter flights for a faster transfer from Windhoek or Swakopmund.

The sand dunes, up to 300 meters high and deep red from iron oxide, rank among the highest in the world and form spectacular geometric patterns at sunrise through the interplay of light and shadow, above all the easily climbable Dune 45.

The white, dried-out clay pan is home to dead camel thorn trees over 900 years old that, thanks to the extremely dry climate, don't rot but merely appear charred — a surreal sight against the surrounding red dunes and deep blue sky.

The narrow, roughly one-kilometer-long gorge was carved into the rock over millions of years by the Tsauchab River and can be explored on a short walking trail along the bottom, with cooler climate and interesting rock formations as a contrast to the surrounding dunes.