The Sossusvlei dunes in the Namib Desert in Namibia speak volumes about the epic work nature did over five million years ago making it a top tourist attraction.
The dune is a salt and clay pan surrounded by neatly arranged high red dunes washed from River Orange in the Kalahari before the Benguela Current drove the sand northwards where blowing winds from the northwest blew the coloured iron oxide sand away leading to the formation of today’s splendour-filled dunes.
Sossusvlei dunes are the highest in the world with a high of 400 meters, making it the most charming attraction in Namibia all year round. The sight of the dunes in the morning as the sun rises and in the evening as the sun sets is mind-blowing.
In a year when the rains finally hit the desert and the Tsauchab fills the pan, the dunes become more immaculate as their reflections are vividly emblazoned in the pans giving photographers the best of moments to capture breathtaking images of the dunes.
Once the winds start blowing, the Namib dunes’ shape is changed with sand deposits being seen on the windward side of the dune while on the leeward side of the dune, sand slides down. Parabolic dunes or star dunes are a common sight as they lie around Sossusvlei and they create dunes up to 50 km wide.
Sand with a higher content of iron is deposited at the bottom of the dune while lighter sand is deposited at the crest of the dune. One place that you cannot miss to visit while in Sossusvlei is the Big Daddy dunes – the tallest dunes with a high of 338m but once you climb to the top and your feet rest on the dunes’ crest; you get to see the beauty of the dunes.
Footsteps in the sand of the Sossusvlei Dunes – Siyabona Africa
Dune 45 in Sossusvlei is considered the star attraction of this part of the desert as its dunes are 80m high with very loose sand, which make it very difficult to climb to the top. Surprisingly, plants and animals adapted miraculous survival tactics in this treacherous desert, something that is next to magical but, yes, plants and animals survive life in the desert.
Why not plan for this exciting trip worth a lifetime’s memories? The desert camp is a great option for accommodation for visitors. Another option could be Sossusvlei Lodge which is very popular here. It offers a panoramic view of the expansive Namid Desert right from the comfort of your lodging.
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