Dead Vlei – Sossusvlei National Park, Namibia

Dead Vlei – Sossusvlei National Park, Namibia is the perfect definition of contrast. Almost-black camelthorn trees point their skeletal branches to the bright blue sky. Meanwhile, their dead trunks and roots pierce through the dry white expanse of the clay pan. All of this surrounded by huge deep red dunes. There is a clear line indicating where one begins and the other finishes, making the stark contrast even more impressive.

What is a “vlei”?

In case you were wondering, a vlei is a marsh pan. Dead Vlei originated when the Tsauchab River flooded and filled the usually-dry area with water. This is what allowed camel thorn trees to grow. Still, the climate changed again and drought hit, so the sand dunes surrounded the pan. Therefore the river had no longer access to it, causing the trees to die, and eventually forming the landscape that we know today.

Activity/Place Highlights

This stunning Dead Vlei is part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park of Namibia. The lifeless camelthorn trees that sprinkle the landscape are around 900 years old. However, they have been completely dry since 600 years ago due to the lack of water in the area and the scorching sun.

Dead Vlei is also popular for the red sand dunes that enclose the white pan floor. These are considered the tallest sand dunes in the world. Bid Daddy is almost 400 meters tall, which makes it the tallest in the entire park.

Life in the Dead Vlei

Even though there isn’t much water in the area, you can still find some living creatures within the vlei. Lanky ostriches and oryx pace around the pan or simply stand motionless under the blazing sun as if they were waiting for the day to cool down before they dare to move. If you look closer, you’ll even find small beetles burrowed in the sand, tilting their bodies to catch the morning dew that usually comes from the sea, to then drink the condensation that forms on their hard shells.

Climbing the dunes

However, this is not the only attraction on the site. Try climbing one of the dunes! Not only is it a crazy experience, but it will also allow you to get the best views of the desert. From the top, an endless chain of dunes stretches in front of you; a sight both humbling and awe-inspiring. If you do decide to try this, make sure to bring more water than you think you’ll need because, even though it’s worth it, it’s a hot and draining adventure.

How to get there

You can reach the Namib-Naukluft Park by road from Windhoek, the Namibian capital, or from Cape Town along the South African border. However, driving across the desert is a hard task. You can find a parking lot for four-wheel-vehicles about 4 km away from the park. Drivers of two-wheel-vehicles have it a bit more difficult since they must use a parking lot about 60 km away from the park gate and then take a shuttle bus to the four-wheel-vehicle car lot. After that, it’s a tough 20-minute uphill hike to Dead Vlei.