Hong Kong is so beautiful

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 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).

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.

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.

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.