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
- Canyon Village
The Canyon Village lodge sits picturesquely at the foot of a sweeping rock face in Gondwana Canon Park, the lodge consists of 42 comfortable chalets in the Cape-Dutch style and a thatched restaurant 20 km from the Canyon.
One of the more interesting Fish River lodge options in the area, with beautiful scenery and friendly staff, one could not want more.
- Onguma The Fort
The Fort with 12 suites is unlike any other Etosha Lodges, the only one of its kind in Namibia, overlooking the beautiful scarceness of the Etosha Pans, decorated only with its wild animals and 100's of Acacia Camelthorn trees.
Exceptional wildlife sightings can be expected year-round from one of our favourite lodges in Etosha. - Etosha Mountain Lodge
The small and intimate Etosha Mountain Lodge offers guests a quiet and tranquil safari experience surrounded by wildlife, birdlife and stunning bushveld views.
Activities within the Etosha Heights Game Reserve include rhino tracking, morning and afternoon game drives and interpretive bush walks.
- Kalahari Anib Lodge
Kalahari Anib Lodge is the ideal destination from which to explore and experience all that the surrounding Kalahari has to offer.
Located with the Anib Kalahari Private Game Reserve, game drives and sunset drives are part and parcel of one's stay.
Kalahari Anib Lodge is located between Windhoek and the attractions in the south of Namibia, including the Fish River, Kgalagadi and the Southern Namib.
- Canyon Lodge
Canyon Lodge with 30 thatched and stone bungalows situated only 12 km from the main gate of the Fish River Canyon; the Fish River lodge is situated on the 520 square kilometres, privately owned Gondwana Canyon Park.
Canyon Lodge offers guests easy access to all that surrounds the Fish River.
- Onguma Tented Camp
It is this intriguing combination and attention to detail that makes Onguma Tented Camp, the latest in Visions of Africa's up-market portfolio of camps, the ultimate in safari chic.
Situated on the eastern side of Etosha National Park, without question a superb option if looking for tented lodges in Etosha.