Cities and regions／Namibia
Place of interest ·

Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei is a terminal depression linked to the occasional course of the Tsauchab River, within a landscape of sand and ephemeral riverbeds. Its appearance can change after exceptional rains.

Red dunes of Sossusvlei in early morning light, Namibia.
Photo by juliasok Source: Freepik Premium Licence: Freepik Premium License
The place

What makes it special

  • The landscape brings together sand, ephemeral riverbeds and clay.
  • The Tsauchab River can change Sossusvlei's appearance after exceptional rains.
Sossusvlei
Photo by Anagoria Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY 3.0
Sandy access track toward Deadvlei in the Sossusvlei area.
Photo by Hub JACQU Source: Pexels Licence: Pexels License
Travel atlas

Articles in Sossusvlei

Guides to this place

1 article

Sossusvlei

journal.travel Editorial

Guides to this place

1 related guides

Red dunes of Sossusvlei in early morning light, Namibia.

Planning a visit to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei around heat and access

A well-planned visit to the Namib’s *vlei* depends less on collecting dunes than on resolving your base, the final stretch and the heat before setting out.

Read guide →
Information in context

Sources and references

This profile summarises our destination guides. Their research sources and the geographical reference are listed below.

Profile updated: 01/10/2026