Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert

An ancient desert

The Namib stretches along Namibia's Atlantic coast and is often described as the oldest desert on Earth, dry for tens of millions of years. Sossusvlei, a salt and clay pan surrounded by enormous dunes, is its most famous area. The Namib Sand Sea was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.

Red dunes

Some dunes here rise more than 300 metres. Their deep orange and red colours come from iron oxide coating the sand grains, which grows stronger as dunes age. Sunrise and sunset light make the colours glow, and photographers race to climb Dune 45 at dawn.

Deadvlei

Nearby Deadvlei is a white clay pan dotted with dead camel thorn trees, blackened by the sun. The trees died centuries ago when dunes blocked the river that watered them, and the dry air has preserved them. The scene of black trees, white clay, orange dunes and blue sky is one of Africa's most photographed.

Life in the dunes

Fog from the cold Atlantic brings moisture that some beetles collect on their backs, and oryx, jackals and lizards survive in the heat. Scientists have studied fog-collecting beetles to design water-harvesting materials.

Did you know?

Some of the dunes are called star dunes because winds from several directions build ridges radiating from a central peak. The Namib's coast, including the Skeleton Coast to the north, is shaped by the cold Benguela current, which creates fog but little rain. At night the desert offers some of the clearest, darkest skies on Earth, and the NamibRand Nature Reserve nearby is recognised as an International Dark Sky Reserve, perfect for stargazing.

Visiting

Sossusvlei is in Namib-Naukluft National Park; gates open at sunrise and close at sunset, and staying inside or near the park helps you reach the dunes early. Carry plenty of water, wear a hat and avoid climbing in midday heat.

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