The Namib
The Namib Desert is the oldest desert in the world and stretches over 1,500km from the Orange River in the south
into Angola in the north. There is a wide range of landscapes in the Namib, from gravel, to rocky mountains to huge
dunes in varying colours of sand.
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is a mud pan created by a river that flows through the Namib every 5 to 10 years. Even in very wet years
it does not reach the Atlantic Ocean but drains away between the dunes of Sossusvlei. Sossus means "place of no return"
(note: there are other explainations, this is the one by local guides).
Dead Vlei
The mud from the river stacks up at Sossusvlei and after some 1000 years the river searches its way through the next row
of dunes. This is how the place called Dead Vlei was created, here the river used to drain away many years ago. Because
of the lack of water all the trees in this valley have died, so the meaning of "Dead Vlei" becomes clear.
Get in
Sossusvlei is the better part of a day's drive from Windhoek. There are some rather difficult mountain passes on some
secondary roads, so you'll have to choose your route wisely if you don't bring a high-clearance vehicle (there are
several routes from Windhoek). The best route without nasty mountain passes would be from the south-central town
of Mariental. On the other hand, the passes provide excellent viewpoints.
The road from the accommodations in Sesriem to Sossusvlei itself is tarred almost all the way, although it might be
the worst sealed road in Namibia. On the last 5 km you have to drive through sand, so you will either need an
all-wheel-drive, or take one of the local shuttles which run regularly. Several tour companies operate tours
from Windhoek and Swakopmund to Sossuvlei, so then you don't have to worry about the driving at all.
See
- Sesriem Canyon A small canyon just south of the petrol station. It's a nice place to watch the sunset, and you
- can easily climb down into the canyon and walk along the dry riverbed.
- The Namib Desert All around, dunes ranging from 100m-450m, including some petrified dunes.
- Sossusveli and Dead Vlei in two valleys side-by-side in the Namib. One has living trees, and on rare occasions
- gets snow or rain. The other is completely cut off from all water sources and the trees are just dead stumps.
Do
- Watch the sunrise This sounds like a see activity, but is actually very much a do thing. Climb dune 45 (or any other)
- in the dark and then watch the sunrise in the world's oldest desert.
- Hike in the Namib Hike from the end of the tarred road in to Sossusvlei. Get some nice close contact with dried mud
- flats, dunes, and the odd animal. Don't get lost.
Eat
The only place to get food, other than at fancy resort restaurants, is from the small general store at the Sesriem petrol station.
Drink
There is a bar at the Sesriem campground where most people hang out after a hard day of hiking in the desert.
Sleep
There are a number of luxury resorts in the surrounding area, as well as a government-run campground with good facilities
which is very close to Sossusvlei.
納米比亞首都溫得和克（Windhoek）位於納米比亞海拔
