> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thesignaturejess.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Namibia | A day trip to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei - URL: https://www.thesignaturejess.com/namibia-sossusvlei-deadvlei/ - Published: 2026-04-21T10:30:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-25T10:01:37.000Z - Description: Visiting Sossusvlei in Namibia was one of the highlights of our road trip a desert landscape that feels almost unreal in its scale and silence - Author: Jess - Tags: Namibia, Animals in the Wild, Safari *Hey there, I’m Jess* ✨*. On* [***The Signature***](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/about-me/)*, I share reflections on beauty, routines, travel, wellness, culture, and everyday life. For those drawn to a calmer, more intentional way of living, I send a free newsletter each month on the 7th.* [***You're welcome to join***](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/#/portal/)*.* --- Our [**7-day road-trip to Namibia**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/road-trip-namibia-africa-7-days/) continues. During our gorgeous stay at [**The Desert Grace**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/namibia-the-pink-oasis-in-the-middle-of-the-silent-desert/), we only left the premises once: to head to the heart of the **Namib-Naukluft National Park**, more precisely to the **Valley of Sossusvlei**. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2025/11/image-2.png) **Our journey from The Desert Grace to Sossusvlei* We left our accommodation before sunrise and had a quick coffee at the restaurant. We had asked for a packed meal the day before and they opened the buffet so we could grab our favourites for the journey. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/20251031_062841.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/20251031_061111.jpg) **Sunrise views in the Namib Desert - Packed meal from The Desert Grace* On top of that they gave us a cooler for our beverages. We loved [**that place**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/namibia-the-pink-oasis-in-the-middle-of-the-silent-desert/) and the care they placed in such details, which matter to us deeply. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/20251031_062951.jpg) **Sunrise in the Namib desert* It was absolutely breathtaking to capture the sun rising as we went on our drive south to the dunes, with magical sightings of giraffes and gemsboks (oryxes). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/20251031_064933.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/20251031_064212.jpg) **Giraffes and gemsboks in the Namib Desert* This is the kind of landscape you can see only in these southern latitudes. We quickly reached the entrance to the **Namib-Naukluft National Park** and [paid the entrance fees](https://www.nwrnamibia.com/sesriem-entry-price.htm?ref=thesignaturejess.com). I paid less than my husband as I am a SADC national, so if you are too, do not forget to show your ID. Or they might just be nice as they were with me and believe you when you mention it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/IMG_5153.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/IMG_5151.jpg) **The Namib-Naukluft National Park Boundaries* There are specific rules to follow regarding hours inside the park and speed within its limits, so act accordingly or you might be fined. There are great and clean public bathrooms by the entrance, use them as you won't see bathrooms for a while. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/IMG_5095.jpg) **Dune 45* As we entered the park, we had the most stunning scenery of gorgeous dunes encircling the road. The contrast of the clear blue skies with the ocre of the dunes was unbelievable. Aside from the very few cars we passed by, we felt alone in this tremendous place, in the windy silence best to take it all in. Some dunes are more famous than others and **Dune 45** is popular with hikers. It is so called because it lies 45 km past Sesriem on the road to **Sossusvlei**. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/20251031_101830.jpg) **A couple of gemsboks in Sossusvlei* Only accessible [**with 4WD cars**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/self-drive-namibia-namibia2go-review/), Sossusvlei is a valley where river Tsauchab once ran, before drying hundreds of years ago. The dryness of the region, as well as its winds, created a salt clay pan in between the dunes, with little vegetation. [Our Self-Drive Namibia AdventureAnd why we loved the car rental company we chose![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)The SignatureJess![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/size/w1200/2025/11/namibia2go-namibia-gondwana-toyota-fortuner-4WD-1.jpg)](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/self-drive-namibia-namibia2go-review/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/IMG_5129.jpg) **Sossusvlei* There are occasional floods in the region as the little water doesn't penetrate the soil, but these are rare and are never replenished. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/IMG_5101-1.jpg) **Deadvlei* A few kilometres further into Sossusvlei, you can reach **Deadvlei**. You need to stop the car and traverse the sand (or the higher **Big Daddy** dune) and you will have a barren forest of dried *Vachellia erioloba* trees (also known as camel thorns) before your eyes. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/IMG_5104.jpg) **My husband as he reached Deadvlei* As this part of the valley was cut from the river, the trees did not decompose and you can see them to this day, forming an apocalyptic scenario. Here, you are not alone: there are many cars parked, many hikers in the dune, many people in the salt pan taking pictures and videos. But if you stay for a while you might enjoy glimpses of silence and wonder. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/IMG_5115-1.jpg) **The barren forest of Deadvlei - you can see people on the Big Daddy dune to the left* From this viewpoint, you can admire how small other humans are at the top of the dune, walking like ants in a little mount. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/20251031_091023-1.jpg) **Endless views in Deadvlei* As there is no shade, the sun is scorching hot in this area. I did not have a hat and I regret it. My trusty sunscreen and thermal water are on hand. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/20251031_092334.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/20251031_093948.jpg) **The sandy lower dune on the way back to the car park - much needed toilets at the car park* Before leaving the Park, we found a gorgeous picnic spot under the shade of the most majestic tree, where we could appreciate the silence of Sossusvlei again while eating our packed meal. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/58/67/5867d415-55cd-4f42-962a-67b9b6110b2c/content/images/2026/04/IMG_5133.jpg) **Our picnic spot in Sossusvlei* We were then ready to take on the journey back to [**The Desert Grace**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/namibia-the-pink-oasis-in-the-middle-of-the-silent-desert/), where a plunge in the pool and a copious dinner was awaiting for us. It was time to plan our last leg to Windhoek before heading to another African wonder I had long dreamed to experience... > *Like this content? We can connect also on* [**BlueSky**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/r/eebbfd7d?m=5c4efd93-0ef0-4db1-af3b-7675f61db0cb) *|* [**TikTok**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/r/3a8dd75f?m=5c4efd93-0ef0-4db1-af3b-7675f61db0cb) *|* [**Youtube**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/r/5cd54466?m=5c4efd93-0ef0-4db1-af3b-7675f61db0cb) *|* [**Pinterest**](https://www.thesignaturejess.com/r/f6c35afb?m=5c4efd93-0ef0-4db1-af3b-7675f61db0cb)