Once one navigates the main Sesriem entrance gates and enters the national park a pleasant surprise awaits, a tarred road (yes, a tarred road) that extends all the way through to the main parking area near Sossusvlei.
A scenic road that although in theory should take you one hour to reach your destination, in reality, will take you two to three hours due to all the stops for photographs and climbing of dunes. But no complaints as this is why we are here, and that quite simply is to enjoy all that is the Namib Desert has to offer us.
Just as a gentle reminder; a trip to Sossusvlei one will need between half a day or even a full day, depending on what you want to see, photograph, experience and climb. This is most certainly not a two or three-hour round trip, oh no, that it is not.
Getting to Sesriem and the tar road to Sossusvlei, on the other hand, can be quite a traumatic one, the roads leading here can be bad to very bad. Especially the C19 and C14 to Walvis Bay. There are certain sections of this road where one just wants to stop, get out of the vehicle and start crying (crying when it is your own personal vehicle that is taking a complete and utter unrelenting beating). The Namibian Government really does need to do something about these roads. Getting off our soapbox now :)
Driving Distances To Sossusvlei
- Sesriem to Sossusvlei parking lot (non 4x4 vehciles) = 61.3 Kilometres.
- This drive is on a tarred road the entire way.
- Sesriem to Deadvlei parking lot (4x4 vehciles) = 65.4 Kilometres.
- The last 5 kilometres is over very soft sand and a 4x4 is required.
- Should you get suck in the sand, a rescue fee is charged to get you out.
- Driving at 50kph, this will take you a little over 1 hour (without stopping)
- Above distances are one way only.
Attractions along the route that are worth stopping at include; Dune 45 Viewpoint and Sesriem Canyon. One also has the chance to climb a few of the massive sand dunes, Dune 45, the Deadvlei Dunes and Big Mamma Dune as all worth the effort getting to the top (one does need to be relatively fit to do this).
There are early morning hot air ballooning options available should one wish to view the dunes from above - contact us and we will help organize this for you.
Looking for accommodation in the area? Look no further;
- Büllsport Guestfarm - Highly recommended for those on a budget
- Desert Horse Inn - Luderitz side of the Namib
- Eagle's Nest Chalets - Luderitz side of the Namib
- The Desert Grace - Thumbs up
- Namib Dune Star Camp - Thumbs up
- Wolwedans Dune Camp - Highly recommended
- Wolwedans Boulders Camp - Highly recommended
- Wolwedans Private Camp - Highly recommended
- Wolwedans Dunes Lodge - Highly recommended
- Little Kulala - Highly recommended, but pricey
- Kulala Desert Lodge - Highly recommended, but pricey
- Namib Desert Lodge - Highly recommended for those on a budget
- Sossusvlei Desert Lodge - Highly recommended, but pricey
Driving To Sossusvlei
The Road To Sossusvlei by Uyaphi.com
- Serra Cafema Camp
Serra Cafema Camp, one of the remotest destinations in all of Africa, perched on the banks of the Kunene River, the region is shared with the beautiful and colourful Himba people, some of the last true nomadic people of Africa. - Onguma Bush Camp
Situated on the eastern side of Etosha, accommodation consists of six en-suite luxury bungalows and one family room. Bush Camp is ideal for families who would like to have a base from which they can explore Etosha National Park.
- Hoanib Valley Camp
Hoanib Valley Camp situated in Kaokoland surrounded by a multitude of desert-adapted wildlife surrounds the camp including free roaming desert lion, elephant, rhino, giraffe, and hyena, oryx and mountain zebra.
- Omarunga Lodge
Epupa Falls is one of the highlights of the Kaokoland region of Namibia, it is here that one can find Omarunga Lodge located on the banks on the Kunene River. Epupa Falls are easily accessible from the lodge, a mere 2-minute meander and one is standing above the falls.
- Damaraland Camp
Damaraland Camp is a camp situated in the Huab River Valley in one of the best wilderness areas in Namibia; as such it offers endless vistas across stark plains, ancient valleys and soaring peaks of the Brandberg Mountains.
- Halali Rest Camp
Halfway between Okaukuejo and Namutoni and is situated at the base of a dolomite hill, amongst shady Mopane trees, a floodlit waterhole which is viewed from an elevated vantage point provides exceptional wildlife viewing.
