The Road To Sossusvlei
The Road to Sossusvlei — 65km of Tarred Bliss Through the World's Highest Sand Dunes
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 vehicles) = 61.3 Kilometres.
- This drive is on a tarred road the entire way.
- Sesriem to Deadvlei parking lot (4x4 vehicles) = 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
Travel To Namibia Now
Map of Lodges in and around Namibia
Lodges And Camps In Namibia
Olive Grove Guesthouse
An 11-room guesthouse in leafy Klein Windhoek, close to the city centre. Rooms open onto verandas, a plunge pool and wellness room are there for a slow afternoon, and the open-plan kitchen serves à la carte dinners.
Windhoek Country Club
A large resort hotel on Windhoek's Western Bypass, surrounded by an 18-hole championship golf course. Its 152 rooms sit alongside the Desert Jewel Casino, a pool, tennis courts and the Kokerboom Restaurant.
Ti Melen Boutique Guesthouse
A six-room boutique guesthouse on a hillside in Avis, on Windhoek's outskirts, with views of the Auas Mountains. It runs on a bed-and-breakfast basis, has a pool and a garden for birdwatching, and Avis Dam is a short walk away.
Okapuka Safari Lodge
A lodge on a private game reserve north of Windhoek, on the road towards Etosha. Game drives look for giraffe, oryx and white rhino, and in the evening the floodlit pond and lawn draw animals in close to the lodge.
Galton House
A small boutique guesthouse in the quiet Windhoek suburb of Eros, with eight rooms finished to a high standard. There's a pool for hot afternoons and a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, an easy first or last night in Namibia.
The Weinberg Windhoek
A Gondwana Collection boutique hotel in Klein Windhoek, built around a heritage building at the heart of the Am Weinberg Estate. Its 41 rooms include courtyard rooms and lofts, and the Sky Lounge looks out over the valley. Weinberg is German for vineyard.
River Crossing Lodge
Twenty hilltop chalets on a 6,500-hectare game reserve beside the airport road, just outside Windhoek. Each chalet faces either the Auas Mountains or the city lights, and you can explore the reserve on game drives, on horseback or on foot.
Zannier Hotels Omaanda
Ten thatched huts in the Owambo style on the private Zannier Reserve by N/a'an ku sê, not far from Hosea Kutako International Airport. Drives head out at sunrise and sunset, and the infinity pool looks over a waterhole.