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    Luxury Sossusvlei Safari
    Vacations & Tours made for you

    Experience the unique beauty of Sossusvlei on a private tour designed just for you
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    Deadvlei

    A surreal landscape dotted with ancient, dead camel thorn trees

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    True seclusion

    With only a few camps in Sossusvlei, you'll experience true wilderness

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    Desert-adapted wildlife

    Spot oryx, springbox and more in the surroundings

    Stargazing

    Incredibly clear skies and minimal light pollution

    Soaring copper dunes and simply staggering scenes

    The towering rust–red sand dunes and clay pans that belong to the Sossusvlei form the most iconic landscape of Namibia. Towering up to 325 metres above the valley, climbing Sossusvlei’s dunes promises awe–inspiring views of the otherworldly landscapes below.

    Located in the enormous Namib-Naukluft National Park – a protected area of desert and mountains larger than Switzerland – this rippling sand sea of huge dunes has been shaped by the winds and the underground Tsauchab River.

    Outwardly, the Sossusvlei looks completely barren of any life, and as one of the oldest and driest ecosystems on the planet you wouldn’t be completely wrong to assume that this is the case. Look closer at the flat, silver coloured clay vleis (pans or valleys) of fine mud cracked into a mosaic pattern to spot green camelthorn trees growing and the odd majestic oryx appear. 

    Solitary dead acacia trees plot the old routes of the river, some from as much as 500 years ago. When the rains do arrive from January to April the pans come alive with yellow devil thorn flowers and the dunes bloom green in places. Even rarer, perhaps once a decade or so, torrential rains flood the pans bringing an explosion of life, where lilies and dragonflies appear, and even birds arrive for this special occasion.

     

    Highlights

    Climb the Big Daddy and Big Mama dunes for spectacular views over this landscape

    Get to the top of the Elim Dune for panoramas over the Naukluft mountains

    Explore the Hidden Vlei and Dead Vlei pans before arriving finally at the Sossusvlei, to see how they differ

    Take to the skies on a balloon ride over this most extraordinary of landscapes

    Sossusvlei's remote setting, with towering red dunes, is a place that feels untouched by time, inviting you to disconnect from the world and immerse yourself in nature's quiet grandeur.

    Tor Saner headshot

    Tor Saner

    Senior Travel Designer

    Luxury accommodation in Sossusvlei

    There are many incredible places to stay on a Sossusvlei luxury safari. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

    Why choose Jacada for your luxury safari experience?

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    Safari expertise

    Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.

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    Unforgettable guides

    We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.

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    Positive impact

    By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.

    Ready to plan your adventure?

    Whatever you want from your luxury Sossusvlei trip, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Where to go

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    Damaraland

    Damaraland is home to the open-air gallery of Twyfelfontein. Here, you will find thousands of ancient engravings made by the indigenous San people – making this UNESCO World Heritage Site a must-see in Namibia.

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    Etosha National Park

    Known as the 'Place of Mirages', Etosha National Park's incredible landscapes range from vast savannahs to silver salt pans. Keep an eye out for herds of blue wildebeest and desert elephants.

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    Kaokoland

    This is one of Namibia’s most remote and inaccessible areas. In Kaokoland, you can meet the Himba and learn about their traditional lifestyle on a cultural safari. In the region, you can also spot desert elephants, giraffes and black rhinos.

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    Kunene River

    Flowing from Angola into Namibia, the Kunene River is the only perennial water source in the entire region. From here, embark on nature drives and boating excursions in search of Nile crocodiles. You can also venture further and explore remote mountains, river valleys and waterfalls.

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    Okonjima Nature Reserve

    Enjoy unrivalled game viewing experiences at Okonjima Nature Reserve. It is arguably one of the best places to spot predators in Namibia. Head out on exhilarating game drives and nature trails to track Big Cats that have been rehabilitated by the AfriCat foundation.

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    Swakopmund and Walvis Bay

    These two towns are located between the Namib Desert and Skeleton Coast and are the ideal base to explore the natural wonders of the region. Adventure sports are some of the best things to do in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. Skydiving, dune boarding, quad biking and scenic balloon flights are some of the many incredible experiences waiting for you.

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    The NamibRand Reserve

    As one of the largest private reserves in Southern Africa, the NamibRand Reserve aims to help protect and conserve the unique ecology and wildlife of the south-west Namib Desert. Its vast vistas make for some incredible sunset views. The NamibRand Reserve also lies in one of the darkest regions on earth, making it one of the best places to go stargazing.

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    The Skeleton Coast

    The Skeleton Coast offers varied landscapes of lengthy beaches, towering sand dunes, secret rivers and mesmerising canyons. Board a flying safari to spot on the skeletal remains of vessels and large concentrations of seal colonies.

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    Windhoek

    Namibia’s vibrant capital city, Windhoek is an interesting gateway to the rest of the country. The city is dotted with fascinating buildings that look like they belong in northern Europe. This is due to a legacy of German colonialism. Take a walking city tour to learn more about its dynamic history and rich culture.

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    Meet your Africa team

    When to visit

    The rains are from January to April creating vast green dunes. May to September are the coolest months with temperatures at around 24°c, from October to April these tend to climb, with a peak of 30°c in January.

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    Mild temperatures and dry conditions

    July - September

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    See the dunes from above

    July - September

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    Vast green dunes

    January - April

    Best Time to Visit Namibia

    Best Time to Visit Namibia

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    Plan your trip to Sossusvlei

    Whatever you want from your adventure in Sossusvlei, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Herd of zebra in the grasslands in the golden light, TanzaniaHot air balloon over Marrakech in the sunset light.

    Plan with peace of mind

    When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.

    If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.

    Find out more
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