Desert escapes: Namibia's Sossusvlei - The Traveller's Magazine

Namibia got the longer end of the natural beauty stick. The Sossusvlei dunes in the southern end of the country are just one example. Who knew piles of amber coloured sand could be so beautiful?

Ancient dunes in the world’s oldest desert

The Namib desert is the oldest desert in the world and is teeming with wildlife. Stretching 1,500 kilometres you’ll see that there’s more to a desert than just sand. from the Orange Rive to the Angola, the landscape changes from rocky mountains to the huge sandy dunes of Sossusvlei.

There’s something totally incredible about these dune that transform from burning reds and oranges to soft tan leather with hints of lilac at dusk. Sunrise is particularly incredible but you’ll have to arrive very early and climb up the dunes in the dark to experience it.

Getting there: It takes about a day to drive to Sossusvlei from Windhoek. Either hire a car in Windhoek and bring a guide or join a tour in town. It’s good to have a local with you who knows the roads as there are some pretty gut-wrentching mountain passes and turns.

Flights to Namibia