Sossusvlei is an area within the Namib-Naukluft National Park offering dramatic desert scenes that will ensure the safari of a lifetime to Namibia. Sometimes referred to as the land that time forgot, the vast, unchanging rugged landscape of Sossusvlei will ensure a captivating Namibia holiday.
Landmarks to spot on safari in Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan, surrounded by high red dunes, located in the southern part of the Namib Desert. A safari to this gem of a destination in Namibia should feature high on your must-see list. The Sossusvlei area is characterised by high sand dunes, among the highest in the world. The highest one is nicknamed Big Daddy, about 325 metres high. The vivid pink and orange colours of the dunes are an indication of a high concentration of iron in the sand and the consequent oxidation processes.
Some of the most impressive and stunning landmarks in Sossuvlei that you will be able to come face-to-face with on your Namibia safari includes Dune 45, it is 80 meters high and composed of 5-million-year-old sands; Deadvlei, a clay pan that used to be an oasis with several camelthorn trees that is now a fascinating and surrealistic landscape; and the petrified dunes that have solidified to rock and are found in several places in the Sossusvlei area.
Activities and experiences in Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is an area within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, holding a diverse range of wildlife that you can spot on your holiday to Namibia. Despite being a desert, the area is home to a wide range of animal and plant life. Giraffe, African wild cat, aardvark, leopard, and black-backed jackals are but a few of the desert-adapted species. Terracotta sand dunes are filled with tracks of desert life, scatterings of tiny insects, spiders, chameleons, geckos, and moles. A tour with a professional guide opens up a whole world of creatures missed by the untrained eye. The Namib desert is the oldest in the world, as well as contains the world’s highest dunes, the most famous being Big Daddy and Dune 45. Quad bikes, hot air balloons, star gazing, desert hikes, and cave expeditions are but a few of the ways to experience on your Namibia vacation to Sossusvlei.
Sossusvlei Safaris with JENMAN
A trip to Etosha National Park is part of the 24-day Northern Experience safari package that starts in Cape Town, South Africa and ends in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Other Namibian stops are the sand dunes in Sossusvlei and the breathtaking Fish River Canyon. This exhilarating tour also ventures to the neighbouring countries of Botswana and Zimbabwe. Experience three weeks of great game viewing and culture on the 21-day Great Trans-African Lodge safari that kicks off in the enigmatic city of Swakopmund in Namibia. Marvel at the astonishing array of wildlife in Etosha National Park before moving on to Mahango National Park. Chobe National Park in Botswana and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe are also included in this safari package.
