Built in an eco-friendly way using wood, canvas, and thatch, and with a simple “Afro-village” design, Sossus Dune Lodge gives visitors a memorable and special experience.
Since the lodge is inside the park, visitors can reach Sossusvlei before sunrise, stay after sunset, and return to rest in the quiet beauty of the Namib Desert while enjoying the wide African sky.
The rooms at Sossus Dune Lodge are large chalets with views of the mountains, Sesriem Canyon, or the dunes.
Guests at Sossus Dune Lodge enjoy the special chance to arrive at Sossusvlei before sunrise to see the changing colors on the dunes in the early morning light. They can also stay after sunset to watch the stars fill the southern sky, as the lodge is located inside the park near Sossusvlei.
The Sossusvlei area, between the Koichab and Kuiseb Rivers in the southern Namib, is known for its red and orange sand dunes. The color comes from iron in the sand and the effects of oxidation. These are some of the tallest dunes in the world. Big Daddy is the highest, standing about 380 meters tall.
Sesriem Canyon is a natural canyon about 1 km long and up to 30 meters deep. It was formed by the Tsauchab River cutting through the local rock.
To help guests fully enjoy the beauty and wildlife of the desert, Sossus Dune Lodge offers guided tours to Sossusvlei, Sesriem, and nearby places. They also offer sunset drives and guided walks.
Strolling & Trekking
In addition to the nearby Sesriem Canyon, which you can reach on foot from the lodge, there is a mountain behind the lodge that is worth visiting.
Elim Dune
Elim Dune, a popular dune to climb, is only a short drive away.
Sossus Dune Lodge is one of the best places for self-drive travelers who want to see the early morning sunlight on the dunes, since it is located inside the park.
Photography
The high red and orange sand dunes of the Namib in Naukluft Park offer one of the best desert views in Southern Africa. This makes it a top spot for professional and hobby photographers.
Dune 45 and the Petrified Dunes
Dune 45 is located 45 kilometers past Sesriem on the way to Sossusvlei. It is often called “the most photographed dune in the world” because of its simple and interesting shape. The area around Sossusvlei also has many petrified dunes. These red dunes are very old—billions of years—and have turned into rock.
Deadvlei
About two kilometers from Sossusvlei is Deadvlei, another famous clay pan. Deadvlei was once a green place with acacia trees, but the river that fed it changed direction. Today, black, dead trees stand on the white salt floor, surrounded by the bright orange dunes.
This creates a strange and special view that appears in many photos and has been used in movies and TV shows, including the Hollywood film The Cell, which starred Jennifer Lopez.
