Things To Do at Sesriem Camping Sossusvlei

DUNE CLIMBING

The red dunes of the Namib developed over millions of years with the red sand brought down the Orange river deposited into the Atlantic Ocean and then being brought to land on the Benguela current and swept inland by the strong winds blowing over the Atlantic Ocean.

The dunes around Sesriem and Sossusvlei, including the nearby Elim, Dune 45 as well as Big Daddy are called “star dunes” as they are shaped by the wind from all the directions.

Dune 45 is famously the most photographed due in the world and was so named because it is 45km from the Sesriem entrance to the Namib-Naukluft Park. It is over 170 metres high and a challenge to climb for young and old.

Big Daddy is the tallest dune in this area and lies between Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. Daddy being 325 metres high, faces Big Mama, which is not much lower.

An early morning and late afternoon drive to the dunes and vleie can be done. Because Sesriem Campsite is inside the Namib-Naukluft Park, you can get an early start and be at the dunes when the sun peeks over the horizon.

SESRIEM CANYON

The Tsauchab is a dry riverbed where water flows only during the rare times when rain falls in the Naukluft Mountains and there is enough water to run off, since the desert sand absorbs most of the flow. These waters never reach the ocean but flows through the Sesriem Canyon, into the salt pans from where it disappears into the sand and evaporates.
Proof that the Namibian desert is millions of years old, can be found in the mesmerizing rock formations of Sesriem Canyon where the seldom flowing water carved a path through the sedimentary rock.

The one-kilometre-long canyon was so named by the Dorsland Trekkers who had to join 6 rawhide thongs (rieme) in order for a bucket to reach the water at the bottom of the canyon, measuring the depth of up to 30 metres. In some place only 2 metres wide, there is a portion that permanently contains water, where animals go to drink.

The canyon is 5km from the Sesriem entrance to the park and is not visible until you reach the edges and gaze down into the depts of it.

SOSSUSVLEI

The word sossus, roughly translates from Nama as dead-end, and vlei is the Afrikaans word for marsh. Even though this is not really a marsh but a salt pan, this is where the Tsauchab river disappears into the desert after heavy rains in the Naukluft mountains. This doesn’t happen very often but when it does and the pans fill up, it appears as a lake, drawing people from all over the world to witness this phenomenon.

Dead Vlei and Hidden Vlei as well as the massive dunes in the area are normally included when referring to Sossusvlei. Hidden Vlei is a 2km walk from the parking area, but absolutely rewarding to those who make the effort.

A shuttle service is available to drive you from Sesriem Campsite to the parking area at Sossusvlei. From there, the 3km walk to Deadvlei takes you to a forest that has been frozen in time. It is a paradise for photographers, witnessing the 900-year-old skeletons of trees trapped in a white clay marsh, set against the backdrop of red dunes and brilliant blue sky.

SOLITAIRE

Only 83 km from Sesriem is a small settlement at the crossing of the C14 and C19. A small cottage was built in 1948 by Christoffel van Coller and his wife Elsie and due to its remoteness, called it Solitaire. Over the years the place was developed and more facilities added and by now, there is a filling station, accommodation, small shop and Big Moose’s Bakery.

Big Moose’s Bakery bakes an amazing Apple Strudel, which gained some fame over the years and is well worth a visit! Relax in the shade of the trees outside the bakery and feast on this exquisite treat.