Everything You Need to Know About Visiting the Sossusvlei Dunes in Namibia

Planning a trip to Namibia and wondering about exploring the iconic Sossusvlei dunes? This post will cover everything you need to know before embarking on this desert adventure.

After 50 something countries explored, I can say with confidence that there’s no place on Earth quite like Namibia. Dramatic landscapes and exciting wildlife encounters, combined with a remoteness that makes you feel like you’ve found yourself at the edge of the Earth, make Namibia a one-of-a-kind adventure.

One place that is a non-negotiable visit on any Namibia trip is Sossusvlei—it was the place I was most excited to explore on my recent 10 day road trip through the country with my husband, and it did not disappoint.

Sossusvlei is a desert landscape located inside the Namib-Naukluft National Park, and it’s one small part of the Namib Desert (the oldest desert in the world!). The area’s rust-colored sand dunes that shift and dance as the wind and light changes are nothing short of awe-inspiring, and its simply a must-visit if you have plans to visit Namibia.

From epic photography and hiking adventures, to stargazing and even hot air ballooning, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this vast desert that’s captured the interest of so many.

But what’s the best way to visit? And what do you actually do when you’re there? Great questions. In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about visiting Sossusvlei, including must-know travel tips, how to pick the right accommodation, how to plan out the days of your visit, and much more.

Don’t have time to read the full post? Here’s a quick guide to visiting Sossusvlei:

• Where is Sossusvlei Located: Sossusvlei is in the South Western part of Namibia, about a five hour drive from the capital of Windhoek and it’s located both within the Namib Desert and the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
• Best Time to Visit Sossusvlei: May through September when it’s not as hot.
• When is Peak Season: Sossusvlei sees the most visitors from July to November.
• What is the Elevation of Sossusvlei: Sossusvlei Dunes range in elevation, but the highest sand dune in the area, Big Daddy, sits at about 1,065 feet above sea level.
• Where to Stay Near Sossusvlei: You can either stay inside the park (to be able to access for sunrise or sunset) or stay outside the park. Inside the park, I recommend staying at Sossus Dune Lodge or Dead Valley Lodge. Outside the park, I recommend Sossusvlei Lodge which is the closest hotel to the park gates.
• How to Get to Sossusvlei: The best way is to rent a car and self-drive. I recommend booking a 4WD vehicle with Discover Cars and opting for a Toyota HiLux or Fortuner for maximum comfort, as Namibia requires a lot of driving on sub-par roads.
• How to Buy Permits: You can purchase permits as you enter the park, and they cost around 150 NAD per person.

Sossusvlei Dunes Namibia Complete Guide to Visiting

Sossusvlei was one of the top spots I was looking forward to on our Namibia road trip itinerary, and it is now one of the most epic places I’ve ever traveled to.

As a photographer especially, this area holds a particular kind of magic as the light moves shadows across the dunes throughout the day. We spent a couple of nights here exploring as many hikes and dunes as we possibly could and I’m going to share all my tips below so you can be well informed before your visit!

What Region of Africa is The Sossusvlei Dunes Located In?

The Sossusvlei dunes in Namibia are located in the South Western part of the country inside Namib-Naukluft National Park. These dunes are a small part of the larger Namib Desert, which is the oldest desert in the world and spans around 1,200 miles along Africa’s Atlantic coast and around 31,000 total square miles.

Are The Dunes Of Sossusvlei in Namibia Worth Visiting?

Without a doubt. The Sossusvlei dunes are probably the most iconic sight to see in Namibia. And if it’s your first trip here, you definitely don’t want to miss this spot along your Namibia itinerary. Take it from someone who’s traveled to over 50 countries—this is one of the most magical places I’ve ever been to!

What makes it so worthwhile to visit? Well, for starters, visitors to Sossusvlei get a front row seat to some of the world’s highest sand dunes, in striking red and orange hues. It’s especially magical watching the way the light changes throughout the day over the dunes, shifting the dramatic shadows and tones of the sand.

Plus, you’ll find unique clay pans like Deadvlei that offer a dramatic juxtaposition to the towering dunes beside it. This clay pan is filled with ancient fossilized camelthorn trees that make for an eery landscape that’s incredible for photography.

Sossusvlei is also one of the best areas in Namibia for stargazing, as the NamibRand Nature Reserve (in Sossusvlei) is Africa’s sole International Dark Sky Reserve.

Overall, the dramatic landscapes, wildlife sightings and epic opportunities for adventure and photography make Sossusvlei a place that can’t be overlooked on your trip.

How To Get To Sossusvlei Dunes Namibia

Getting to Sesriem

Sossusvlei is located beside the town of Sesriem, so getting to Sesriem is your first step in accessing the area.

In general, I highly recommend renting a car and self-driving through Namibia. This is the absolute best way to see all that you want to see at an affordable price and have maximum flexibility with your itinerary.

I’ve used Discover Cars in many countries around the world and love the ease with which you can compare agency prices on their site to get the best deals. If you rent with them, make sure to go with a Toyota Hilux or Fortuner for the best experience and always select their full coverage option.

Of course, if you’d prefer to join a tour or are traveling solo and want to go with a group, there are several tour options you can join that depart from Windhoek or Swakopmund:

• 5 Day Sossusvlei & Sandwich Harbour Photography Tour
• 3 Day Sossusvlei Budget Camping Safari
• 3 Day Sossusvlei Express Safari

Park Entrance to Sossusvlei

There are two gates to drive through to enter into Sossusvlei: The Sesriem (Outer) Gate and the Sesriem 2nd (Inner) Gate—this is how they’re labeled on Google Maps!

Once you’ve arrived in Sesriem and settled into your accommodation, you’ll navigate to Sossusvlei through the Sesriem (Outer) Gate first and then can pass through the Inner Gate. If you’re staying inside the park, you’ll already be within the outer gate, and can just access the park through the inner gate.

Purchasing Permits

At the gate, you’ll be required to purchase a daily permit. If you’re staying outside the gates, keep in mind you won’t be able to pass the outer gate until sunrise and you’re required to exit the park before sunset. I’ll get into the details of this more below!

Permits cost 150 NAD per day for adults and 100 NAD for kids, plus 50 NAD per vehicle. We paid 350 NAD total for one day for two people plus our rental car.

Once you get past the entry gates, it’s helpful to know exactly where the dunes are located and how to reach them, so I’m going to cover more on this below.

Driving Within Sossusvlei

Before I visited Sossusvlei, I was having a difficult time envisioning how it was all laid out—and being a visual person, this one was tough for me! In this section, I’ll do my best to help you understand the layout of Sossusvlei so you feel confident in navigating the area. Trust me, it’s a lot easier than you might think!

Driving through Sossusvlei is quite straightforward, as there is only one single out-and-back road that travels through the park, with towering sand dunes on either side.

The drive from the outer gate to the last point of interest (Deadvlei) takes about one hour. There are a few points of interest early on in the drive like Sesriem Canyon and Elim Dune. But really, the best stuff to see in Sossusvlei starts around 40 minutes into the drive, like Dune 45.

The first hour of the drive is all paved and easy to navigate. However, it’s only the final stretch on the way to Deadvlei that gets a little dicey.

About an hour past the gates, you’ll reach the Hidden Vlei parking where you’ll notice the paved road changes to soft sand. Here, you have the option to park and take a shuttle to the Deadvlei parking (about 10-15 minutes further down the sandy road), OR you can choose to self-drive the final stretch on the sand.

Driving the Sandy Road to Deadvlei and Big Daddy

I’m not going to lie, deciding whether to drive this final part stressed me out quite a bit before we arrived in Sossusvlei. It’s absolutely recommended that you have a 4×4 for this road (which we did). And that you deflate your tires beforehand if you plan on self-driving.

My biggest concern was potentially getting stuck and missing out on the best photography window at Deadvlei and then on top of it having to pay a hefty tow fee.

While I was super nervous about this process (maybe it’s my past trauma from getting stuck in sand on various trips in the past!), my husband was all for it. He’s an experienced driver and has driven many times on sand. So he felt quite confident that we could make it on our own.

I held my breath while we entered the deep sand road and JT hit the gas peddle like a mad man. The key is to not stop or slow down too much as that is when you’re much more likely to get stuck. However, it’s quite bumpy, so going at the speed we were flying was a bit terrifying for me. Luckily, we made it there and back, but not without my cortisol shooting through the roof first!

So should you self-drive or not?

Only you can really assess how comfortable you are self-driving on soft sand. It is totally doable with the right car and driving experience, but the cons are the potential of getting stuck and paying a tow fee—and I’ve heard plenty of stories of this happening.

On the other hand, plenty of people self-drive the road every single day without issues.

If you don’t mind being beholden to the shuttle service’s schedule and paying a fee of 200 NAD (about $11 USD), then it might offer you peace of mind to stick with the shuttle.

Quick Tips for Driving the Sand Section in Sossusvlei:

• Make sure to have a high clearance 4×4 SUV
• Deflate your tires to about 22 psi just before entering the sandy section to improve traction
• Put your car in all wheel drive
• Keep consistent speed—if you slow down too much this is when you’re most likely to get stuck
• Pay attention to lane splits. Once you begin the sand section, there are multiple paths that all end up at the Deadvlei parking lot. Try to look ahead and pick the one that looks the most manageable and has the fewest cars there so you can maintain consistent speed.
• If you get stuck, there are shuttles constantly driving back and forth to the Deadvlei parking area who should be able to help you, but you’ll have to pay a tow fee.

Where to Stay When Visiting Sossusvlei

Before deciding on where to stay in Sossusvlei, you need to decide whether you want to stay inside the park or outside the park. Staying inside the park gives you longer access to the park one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset so you can enjoy the dunes while the light is softest and temperatures are mild. You’ll also get to enjoy more locations with fewer people this way.

If you choose to stay outside the park, you will only be allowed to enter into Sossusvlei right at sunrise and then you must depart before sunset. These times can change throughout the year depending on sunrise/sunset times, so make sure to verify timing with your hotel and/or park gate attendants.

For this trip, we chose to stay outside the park gates but at the closest hotel to the gates. While I do wish we could have had the experience of witnessing sunrise or sunset over the dunes, I’m still overall happy with how our photos came out and don’t feel like it was a huge loss.

However, if I had to do it all over again, I would probably choose to stay inside the park gates to be able to get that extra hour of light in the morning for epic photos. I am a photographer, after all, so capturing my trips in the most magical way is a big priority for me.

Here are all the factors to consider when choosing whether to stay inside or outside of the gates:

Staying Inside the Park

If you’re a photographer or have limited time to visit Sossusvlei, then I would recommend staying inside the park so you can get the best photos and maximize your time exploring.

Pros of Staying Inside the Park:

• Have earlier and later access to Sossusvlei throughout the day
• Access the dunes and Deadvlei with better light for more ideal photography
• Experience the dunes with less visitors
• Cut down on driving time to and from destinations within Sossusvlei
• Can explore during hours when temperatures are more mild
• Get the magical experience of witnessing sunrise and sunset at the dunes

Cons of Staying Inside the Park:

• Fewer accommodation options that book up far in advance
• Options are camping or expensive hotels
• Many of them are only bookable through government-run websites that are not the most user-friendly

Where to Stay Inside the Park:

• Sesriem Campsite ($): Basic campsite with 44 total campsites, a communal kitchen, pool, restaurant, bar, and bathroom facilities.
• Sesriem Oshana Campsite ($): A slightly more luxurious camping area with 12 total campsites. Each comes with its own shade structure, hot and cold water, kitchenette with BBQ, and 220V electricity.
• Dead Valley Lodge ($$): Well-designed hotel with nice views of the dunes and an on-site restaurant.
• Sossus Dune Lodge ($$$): Hotel with 25 luxury thatched roof chalets and a restaurant and bar on site. This option is quite pricey but the nicest.

Staying Outside the Park

Ultimately, we ended up deciding to stay outside the park. Personally, I hated navigating all the government-run websites where you have to inquire on prices to book that felt so old school and I just wanted to book our hotels and be done with it.

The hotels outside the park are much more easily bookable in my opinion on sites like Hotels.com and Booking.com, so I just went with the hotel closest to the park gates, Sossusvlei Lodge.

Pros of Staying Outside the Park:

• Much wider range of accommodations options
• More affordable hotel options that aren’t camping
• Ability to book last minute as they don’t book as far out
• Easier booking experience with availability on sites like Hotels.com and Booking.com (I like to use these sites for their great cancellation policies)

Cons of Staying Outside the Park:

• Increased driving times depending on how far your hotel is from the Sesriem gate (aka the entrance to Sossusvlei)
• Must adhere to the strict gate entry times (enter at sunrise and depart before sunset)
• You won’t be able to experience sunrise and sunset on the dunes or get the best light for photography

Where to Stay Outside the Park:

• Sossus Oasis Campsite ($): If all the campsites are booked up inside the park, opt for this one that offers small units per group with shade and private bathrooms. 3 minutes to park gates.
• Desert Quiver Camp ($): Unique accommodations with a high-end glamping feel at affordable prices. 6 minutes to park gates.
• Sossusvlei Lodge ($$): The closest hotel to the park gate, this hotel is more on the luxury side but offers easy access to the park and a large breakfast and dinner spread each day. 1 minute to park gates.
• Desert Hills Lodge ($$): The ultimate luxury remote stay with incredible views and thoughtful design throughout the property. 30 minutes to park gates.
• Desert Whisper Lodge ($$$$$): If you’re looking for the ultimate unique stay and don’t mind the drive, this villa is idyllic for a romantic escape or bucket list stay. 49 minutes to park gates.

Our Stay at Sossusvlei Lodge:

We chose to stay at Sossusvlei Lodge during our visit to Sossusvlei dunes Namibia and it made getting into the park super easy, despite us staying outside of the park gates.

The best aspects of the stay here were the massive bathrooms, cute bungalows, and the plentiful breakfast and dinner options each day. We also had fun watching a lot of the roaming wildlife on property right from the dining patio.

Each day we would watch oryx, tons of bird life as well as curious jackals who were interested in what was on our plates for dinner.

What To Do At The Sossusvlei Dunes Namibia

So you’ve made it to Sossusvlei…now what? Below I’m going to break down all the best things to do in the area so that you can prioritize what excites you during your itinerary.

Hike to Deadvlei

This is without a doubt the most iconic area to see while in Sossusvlei, so make sure to prioritize Deadvlei in your itinerary. You’ve likely seen photos of the mysterious looking dead trees growing out of cracked Earth that are surrounded by red dunes. That’s Deadvlei, and trust me—it’s just as cool to see in person as it is in the photos online.

So what exactly is Deadvlei? Translating to “dead marsh” in Afrikaans, this area is a white clay pan that sits within a valley between the sand dunes. What makes the clay pan so unique though is that it’s dotted with dead camel thorn trees that are said to have died 900 years ago and have never fully decomposed!

Ideally you’re going to want to visit Deadvlei as close to sunrise as possible for the best light and least amount of visitors. It’s also the furthest distance from the park gates (about one hour), so you’ll want to factor that into your planning.

If you missed the section above about driving on the soft sand to Deadvlei, definitely go back and read that section so you know what to expect about driving conditions there!

Hike to the Top of Big Daddy

This is the highest dune in Sossusvlei (around 1,066 feet tall) and it’s directly next to Deadvlei, allowing for a unique perspective looking down into the clay pan.

If you’re planning to hike Big Daddy and Deadvlei in conjunction with one another, I’d recommend starting as early as possible in the morning with a hike at Big Daddy and then descending into Deadvlei afterwards. That will be much easier than trying to hike up Big Daddy from inside Deadvlei, trust me!

The climb up to Big Daddy is considered pretty challenging, but if you start early before it gets too hot and bring lots of water you should be fine.

Keep in mind that you’ll have to drive the sandy section to Big Daddy since it’s accessed from the Deadvlei parking area. If you missed my section about driving the last stretch of road in Sossusvlei on sand, make sure to go back and read that!

Climb Dune 45

Along with “Big Daddy,” Dune 45 is one of the most famous dunes in Sossusvlei, and people often choose to climb it to get an epic vantage point of the rest of the vast landscape.

As you can imagine, hiking up a tall sand dune is not for the faint of heart (we opted out of hiking this one to the top!), so bring enough water and sun coverage so that you make it up in one piece.

Dune 45 is about 45 minutes into the drive through Sossusvlei past the Sesriem Outer Gate, so keep that in mind while planning your day.

Explore Additional Sand Dunes

I was surprised to find that I loved a lot of the unmarked dunes even more than the popular ones, especially for photography.

I’d recommend giving yourself ample time during the drive for those “pull over now” moments where you just want to admire random dunes you come across. If you’re into photography, you’ll definitely want to take your time to soak them all in.

Still, there are some other named dunes beyond just Big Daddy and Dune 45 that are worth checking out like Elim Dune, Big Mama and Dune 40. Elim Dune is the closest to the park gates and can be a great one to capture the best light if you’re staying outside the park gates as you won’t have to drive so far to access it. You can often see oryx lounging in the shade here as well.

Visit Sesriem Canyon

This is an easy win right inside the park gates if you’re looking for something quick and different to do within Sossusvlei, however I wouldn’t prioritize Sesriem Canyon over other major sites like Deadvlei and Dune 45 as it’s simply not as interesting.

However, if you’re seeking a shady respite from the beating Namibian sun, this is one of the only places to get that in Sossusvlei.

This area is a canyon that has been shaped by the Tsauchab River over millions of years and actually holds some water year-round. When visiting, you can stroll through the gorge, taking in the orange rock walls towering on either side.

Book a Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Adventure

If you want to up the epicness even more during your time in Sossusvlei, then book a hot air balloon ride over the Namib Desert at sunrise. The early morning conditions over the Namib make for ideal ballooning conditions, with dry weather, nice visibility and light winds, and the views you get can’t be beat.

If you’ve never been ballooning before, you might be surprised to find that it’s not as fear-inducing as it might look. I’m mildly afraid of heights and the first time I ever went ballooning I was shocked to experience the calmness and peace of gliding through the air in a balloon rather than terror.

This is definitely a bucket list activity in Sossusvlei that you should consider adding to your itinerary. You’ll want to save one sunrise for visiting Deadvlei as well, so this is a great activity if you have at least two mornings in Sossusvlei.

Check out Namib Sky Balloon Safaris to book one of the most reputable balloon rides in the Namib Desert.

Stargaze

Sossusvlei has some of the lowest light pollution in the world, so little in fact that it is named Africa’s only International Dark Sky Reserve. For this reason, many hotels offer stargazing tours or Astro Guides who can assist visitors in navigating the night sky.

If you’re into astrophotography or just viewing the beautiful galaxies beyond, Sossusvlei is one of the best places in the world to do so.

Spot Wildlife

Just like everywhere else in Namibia, you’ll fine a good amount of wildlife throughout Sossusvlei, including ostriches, oryx, springbok and the occasional wild horse.

We saw a few bigger mammals just driving through Sossusvlei, but the spot where we saw a bunch of oryx was at Elim Dune as they were all hanging out getting shade under the trees there.

Hike to Hidden Vlei

Hidden Vlei is a lesser-known clay pan near Deadvlei that also is home to dead camel thorn trees, similar to its more famous neighbor. We were curious about Hidden Vlei because we had heard it was similar to Deadvlei but that you’re likely to have it all to yourself. So, we decided to give it a go.

The verdict? The hike in the heat to get there was pretty grueling and we didn’t find the scenery to be nearly as stunning as Deadvlei. If you have a lot of extra time in Sossusvlei you could consider visiting here, but I absolutely wouldn’t prioritize it.

If you do attempt to explore Hidden Vlei, make sure you bring plenty of water and sun protection, and stay alert on the trail to follow the wooden markers as you can easily get lost.

Enjoy a Scenic Flight

A scenic flight is another way to get an epic vantage point over the dunes if hot air balloons aren’t really your cup of tea.

One reputable company to go with is Namibia Helicopter if you’re a photographer and want to do a doors-off heli ride to capture the best photos. I did a doors-off helicopter tour in Kauai once and it was one of the most epic things I’ve ever done.

If you’d rather do a normal flight in a Cessna 210, go with Sossusfly who run scenic trips over Sossusvlei where all passengers have a window seat for the best unobstructed views.

Take a day trip to Solitaire

If you haven’t already passed by Solitaire on your way into Sossusvlei, then it’s worth a quick trip out to this quirky and teeny tiny town that’s literally in the middle of nowhere.

Solitaire is an hour drive from Sesriem, and it’s a good lunch excursion while the temperatures in Sossusvlei are scorching mid day.

Here you’ll find the only gas station and cafe between Sossusvlei and Walvis Bay (that’s a four hour drive!), along with their “famous” apple pie which people line up for. My honest thoughts were that it was just pretty average, but when there’s no food anywhere for hours on end, I guess any food is welcome!

What I liked most about Solitaire were the quirky artifacts littered around the town like abandoned cars sinking into sand.

Photography Tips for Getting the Best Photos in Sossusvlei

While Sossusvlei is an epic place to capture no matter how you go about it, I have a few tips that will definitely improve your photography game and help you get the best photos:

• Shoot During Golden Hour: The best light at all the dunes in Sossusvlei is right after sunrise and just before sunset, when the light casts a soft but dramatic warm glow on the sands. If you’ve booked accommodation inside the park this will be no problem, but if you’re staying outside the gates you’re forbidden to be in the park during sunrise and sunset. If that’s the case, just get in as early as you can to take advantage of the softer light.
• Play With Light and Shadow: I had a ton of fun playing with different shadows while I was photographing Sossusvlei. Use this composition element to your advantage and play with different vantage points to see how the shadows move across the dunes.
• Utilize Scale: Placing a subject in front of various dunes and especially at Deadvlei will help give your viewer a better idea of scale, adding more drama to your photos.
• Pack a Zoom Lens: The road through Sossusvlei is further from the dunes than you might think, and it makes a huge difference to have a zoom lens here to really capture the scene in all its glory. Also utilizing a zoom with a subject in the foreground will provide some nice compression in your photos. Here are the two zoom lenses I personally brought on this trip: Sony FE 200-600mm lens and the Sony FE 70–200mm.
• Leave Your Drone at Home: Drones aren’t allowed in Sossusvlei, so you can leave this one behind. If you want to get the best photos that mimic those of an overhead drone shot, book a hot air balloon ride at sunrise or scenic flight over the dunes.
• Wear White: If you want to get the best photos with you in them, I highly suggesting packing white clothing that will stand out best against the red and orange-toned dunes. It was actually comical how many women were hiking out to Deadvlei in white dresses (myself included!), knowing that it would pop best against the color of the dunes. But I’ll tell you what, the photos were absolutely worth it!
• Astrophotography: With such minimal light pollution, Sossusvlei has some of the clearest skies for capturing the night sky. If you’re into astrophotography, you’ll definitely want to consider dabbling here.

More Helpful Tips for Visiting Sossusvlei in Namibia

What do I need to wear in Sossusvlei?

It’s recommended to wear light colored, breathable clothing as Sossusvlei can get extremely hot during the day. Wear proper closed-toed hiking shoes to allow for maximum traction and to protect your feet from getting burned by the sand.

What is the Best Time of Day to Explore Sossusvlei

Early morning at sunrise and close to sunset are the best times to explore the park when the temperatures are more mild. It’s not recommended to do any hiking mid-day in Sossusvlei as it’s much too hot.

Plan early mornings and evenings here and then use the middle of the day to enjoy the pool at your hotel or take a day trip to the town of Solitaire.

Following Gate Entry and Exit Times

We talked to a few people who work in the area and they all seemed to reiterate that the park takes the required entry and exit times very seriously. One woman working at our hotel even told us that tourists have been put in jail for leaving Sossusvlei past sunset when they did not have a permit to do so.

I feel like these were scare tactics, but you never know! All that to say, if you’re staying outside the park gates, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to make the drive out before sunset and verifying hours with gate attendants on your way in.

What Should You Prioritize Visiting at the Sossusvlei Dunes?

The #1 most important thing to check off your list would be Deadvlei, followed by Big Daddy and Dune 45. Once you’ve seen all those, I think you could check out Elim Dune and Sesriem Canyon. If you have an additional day, book a sunrise hot air balloon tour or scenic flight.

How Many Days Do You Need in the Sossusvlei Area?

You can accomplish a lot in a single day in Sossusvlei, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Staying at least two to three nights will allow you to explore slowly and see everything you want to see.

What is the Best Time for Hiking Inside the Park?

If you’re planning on hiking up Dune 45 or Big Daddy, the easiest time to do so would be early in the morning while the temperatures are still mild. You could also hike up them just before sunset, but it will be a bit hotter than in the AM.

Grab Snacks in Solitaire or at the Sesriem Gas Station

There aren’t a lot of places to grab snacks in the area, so I’d recommend either stopping in Solitaire on your way in or the gas station right outside the park gates. We found some yummy biltong (aka Africa’s version of beef jerky) at the gas station that we used to fuel up after each hike.

Book Accommodation in Advance

As I mentioned, accommodation inside the park is quite limited. I’d recommend booking your stay as soon as possible so you can lock down your desired accommodation since they book up fast!

Where Else Should You Visit in Namibia?

There are a ton of incredible destinations to explore beyond Sossusvlei throughout Namibia. My favorites were Kolmanskop ghost town, Sandwich Harbor, and going on safari in the Kalahari desert outside of Windhoek. Make sure to also check out Etosha National Park, Skeleton Coast and Spitzkoppe.

If you want to copy my complete Namibia itinerary, make sure to check out my 10 Day Namibia Road Trip Guide with tons more tips for your trip.

I hope this post helped you plan your trip to Sossusvlei, Namibia. If I missed any tips that you’d recommend let me know and I’ll be sure to add them to the post!

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Bucket List Stay at Zannier Sonop Namibia
Gmundner Lodge Namibia Review
Kolmanskop Namibia Guide
Guide to Renting a Car & Driving in Namibia

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