21 OCT 2019
Early morning drive to the dunes of the Sossusvlei area. Visit Dead Vlei, Sossusvlei, Dune 45, Elim Dune and Sesriem Canyon. Dinner at the lodge.
Sossusvlei:Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib Desert. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red sand dunes to make this one of the natural wonders of Africa and a photographers heaven.
The Sossusvlei itself is a clay pan surrounded by sand dunes (“Vlei”). In the case of good and persistent precipitation, a few centimeters to several meters deep lake forms at the end of the vole even for a short time. Sossus means “blind river” in the language of the Nama. “Blind” refers to the fact that the river Tsauchab, which flows into the Sossusvlei in the sand dunes of the Namib Coastal desert, comes from a mountainous region in the interior of the country, miles away from the Sossusvlei area. The area is part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Despite the extreme conditions of life there, several species of anmials live in this area. They are perfectly well adapted to the desert. In addition to ostriches, springbuck and oryx antelopes, the golden desert mole, the anchieta sandlizard, the palmato gecko, the TokTokkie beetle, the horned adder, the puffadder and other interesting species all live and survive in this area ,
Kamelthorn trees grow along the water veins. The Nara plant, endemic in the Namib is found on the smaller dunes. Fascinating is the so-called ostrich salad; a apparent dried plant that, with a small bit of water, immediately opens its pods and scatters its seeds around to ensure the survival of the specie.
Since 21 June 2013, the Sossusvlei is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Namib Desert.
The entrance to Sossusvlei is at Sesriem Gate. From here, a 60km tarred road leads past impressive dunes and dune formations, some of which are among the world’s highest dunes. Also past the so-called fairy circles of the desert.
The last 5km to Vlei lead through thick dune sand. For this, a four-wheel drive vehicle is required. Dead Vlei: The Deadvlei (vlei – Afrikaans for depression) is an enclosed clay pan surrounded by sand dunes of the Namib Desert. Characteristic of the Deadvlei are many dead camel thorn trees that died when the Tsauchab ephemeral river changed its course. Some of these trees are estimated to be over 500 years old. The Deadvlei is part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park and is adjacent to the renowned Sossusvlei, the Narravlei and Hiddenvlei.
At the southeastern edge of the Dead Vlei is the ‘Big Daddy Dune’, also called ‘Crazy Dune’. It is probably the world’s highest dune of some 350m in height.
