The most photogenic place in Namibia! You have to visit Sesriem!
The most photogenic place in Namibia! You have to visit Sesriem!
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Are you looking for a breathtaking landscape? Big red sand dunes that give you the feeling of being very small? Well, we can’t recommend this place high enough! It is a paradise for photographers. Every corner is so photogenic and it is absolutely fascinating to see the light changing on the beautiful red dunes. Especially the sunsets and the sunrises are one of our best we ever had. We want to share some tips with you, how to take great pictures and to avoid the crowds.
1. The beauty of Namib-Naukluft National Park
Namib Naukluft National Park is a huge Area in the Midwest of Namibia. The most famous of its four regions is Sesriem/Sossusvlei, where you can find huge sand dunes and the famous Deadvlei. Although it’s one of Namibias main attractions for tourists it’s not too crowded. There will be a lot of people in places like Deadvlei, but you can avoid them by choosing the right time! If you want to be all alone, climb one of the very high nameless dunes and you will be alone for sure!
The entrance to this part of the Nationalpark is located in Sesriem. It’s a 5-hour drive to get there from Windhoek and will be your starting point to explore the beautiful dunes.
Fun Fact: The red sand in the National Park actually came from the Kalahari desert in the East of Namibia.
Wonderful Deadvlei and Big Daddy Dune
Deadvlei was our favorite place in Namib-Naukluft National Park. Beautiful red sand dunes surround a white clay pan, which is scattered with dead trees. The red and white colors are so vivid and change depending on the time of the day. This place is simply breathtaking.
It is a 60km drive from Sesriem to Deadvlei, mostly on a paved road. The last section requires a 4×4 car. You are actually not allowed to go on with any other vehicle. After a 15 minute drive on the sand roads you will get to the parking area of Deadvlei. It was our first time driving in deep sand and it was so much fun. You will definitely see people getting stuck in the sand, but no worries, there is always someone around to help. We did only get stuck once, but not in the Nationalpark. More on that later.
Another 10-15 minute of walking from the parking area will get you to the white clay pan with the amazing black trees. There is something mystical about this place!
Sossusvlei and Big Mama Dune
Sossusvlei is another beautiful white pan, however, you will need to drive another 10 minutes from Deadvlei through deep sand passages. This spot isn´t really reachable for sunrise or sunset, but it´s totally worth to climb the dune in the mid-morning. From the parking area, you will need a 10-minute walk to the white saltpan. We saw many oryx antelope there. It takes around 15 minutes to climb the Big Mama Dune and you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view over the National Park. We´ve been there in the middle of the day and we met nobody else.
Dune 45 for sunset
Dune 45 is the best place for sunset. It’s only 40 minutes from the entry and you will get the most out of the sunset. And yes, these dunes have numbers. There are fixed times, where you have to be out of the National Park, therefore it is recommended to stay as close as possible to the gate for sunset. It´s about a 15-30 minute hike up the dune, depending on your fitness level. The view is fantastic and we met only two other people there.
The Canyon and other dunes
Directly next to the gate of Namib Naukluft National Park, there is a Canyon with deep underground caves. You can hike down there, however, it can´t keep up with the beautiful big dunes. There are more dunes that aren´t known very well like
2. Campsites and lodges outside and inside the National Park
We definitely recommend staying directly in the National Park to be earlier in the dunes for sunrise. There are only two places, which are located inside the National Park: one campsite called NWR Sesriem Campsite and one lodge called Sossus Dune Lodge. You can book them on the NWR website. We booked it one week in advance, but in the main season, you should book earlier! However, if you are staying outside the National Park, there are two other campsites Sossus Oasis Camp and Desert Quiver Camp. Further away are the Little Kuala lodge, andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge and Wolwedans Dunes Lodge.
The first and main gate to the National Park will open at sunrise and closes at sunset. Keep in mind that you will need around 30 minutes to arrive at Dune 45 or 45 minutes to arrive at Deadvlei. Arriving there, the golden hour will be over. If you are staying in one of the two locations directly in the National Park, you only have to access the second gate that opens 1 hour before sunrise and closes one hour after sunrise! Many people don´t know about this tip! Also, for
3. Sunrise and Sunset in the desert. Creating pictures and avoiding crowds!
Sunrise and sunset, along with the golden hour, offer the best moments in the desert and the most beautiful light for photography. The light is soft and warm and most of the people will arrive later. We highly recommend staying on the campsite or lodge inside the National Park to drive to Dead Vlei as early as possible. Quickly hike up the big dune and you will be the first one walking on the untouched dune ridge.
Try to capture the curved lines of the dunes and the play of lights and shades. Enjoy the first sunrays with none around you. The sun will hit the white pan after hitting the dune, therefore you should enjoy the white pan afterward.
4. Do I need a permit? What about the temperatures?
You will need a permit for Sesriem National Park. You can buy it at the main gate of the National Park. We paid 170 Namibia Dollar for 2 days with a 4×4. You can also buy the ticket in Windhoek in advance, but there is no need for that. We highly recommend staying in the National Park for at least two nights.
In the early morning, there are
5. How can I get there? Which car do I need?
The easiest way to get around is by renting a car in Windhoek. From Windhoek, you will need around 4,5 hours to Sesriem. The car ride is totally worth it because you will pass beautiful landscape! Also, it is very important to rent a 4×4! On the one hand, it is a lot more comfortable on the bumpy gravel and sand roads and on the other hand you will need a 4×4 for the last section in Sesriem to get to Deadvlei and Sossusvlei.
After the first 45 minutes on the paved road from Sesriem to Deadvlei, you have to deflate the tyers. On paved roads, we needed 2 Bar and on the deep sand section 1,5 Bar, it really depends on your car rental. The next 15 minutes you have to drive through deep sand roads – actually it is a lot of fun! If you don´t feel experienced enough to drive the car there, you can take a bigger group vehicle at the parking space.
6. Where to go next?
Well, there is so much to see in Namibia. Within 6 hours in total, you can head South to the stunning ghost town Kolmanskop via the beautiful D707 dream road. Also, you can drive to the most beautiful campsite Spitzkoppe in 6 hours or you are driving 4 hours to Walvis Bay at the coast to visit the flamingos. Of course, there are many campsites and lodges in between these places!
⤖ Have a look on our 2-week Itinerary through Namibia to find all the places.
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