Plan visiting Deadvlei with our comprehensive guide. Explore tips for accessing this iconic Namibian clay pan, famous for its surreal dead camel thorn trees amidst towering orange sand dunes.
Deadvlei is one of the most popular destinations in Namibia. It’s a desert oasis that offers travelers an experience like no other. If you’re thinking about visiting Deadvlei, here are some tips to help you plan your trip.
What is Deadvlei?
Deadvlei is a salt pan in the Namib Desert, located about 300 km from Namibia’s capital city, Windhoek. The dunes are sand bleached by the sun and wind to form pearly white patterns on their surface.
Deadvlei is home to many unique animals in its harsh climate: desert elephants, lions, and cheetahs are some of its inhabitants. The area was once inhabited by indigenous groups who used it as a hunting ground for games like ostrich or zebra. However, today only a few nomadic families still live there due to a lack of resources after leaving their traditional lands behind them (which were often taken over by mining companies).
When to Visit Deadvlei
Because Namibia is a hot, dry country and Deadvlei is in the middle of it all, it’s best to visit from May through September. The summer months (October to April) are very hot and dry, but the sunsets are spectacular.
If you’re planning on seeing the rest of Namibia as well as visiting Deadvlei, keep in mind that there are many other attractions for visitors to explore throughout this southern African nation, such as Etosha National Park and Skeleton Coast National Park, which are both located close by from where we’ll be staying at Wildwood Lodge & Cabanas Resort!
How to Get to Deadvlei
To get to Deadvlei, you can take a charter flight from Windhoek or Swakopmund. If you’re driving yourself and want to spend the night in Sossusvlei before heading out on your trip, there are several campsites near the park gate that are easy to access with no issues (see below).
If all this sounds too hard, we have good news: The best way to visit these places isn’t necessarily by car! There are frequent flights between Windhoek and Sossusvlei Airport and some daily buses that take about 3 hours each way (1 hour each if you’re lucky). In addition, there’s also an airport bus service run by Namib Air which runs between Swakopmund and then back again—it takes about 8 hours round trip.
Flights to Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is a small village in the Namib Desert, and it’s one of the most popular must-visit destinations in Namibia. There are no direct flights to Sossusvlei, so you’ll need to fly into Windhoek (the capital of Namibia), then take a 45-minute flight to Sossusvlei.
The closest airport with domestic flights is Hosea Kutako International Airport in Swakopmund, which is about an hour away from Deadvlei by car or bus.
Getting Around Namibia
As you might expect, driving your car is the best way to get around Namibia. Driving can be an expensive affair, but if you’re looking for an inexpensive way of seeing the country and visiting its main attractions, then renting a car might be for you. Renting a car is easy and affordable in Windhoek (the capital) or at the airport upon arrival in Namibia. Many small local companies offer great rates on their vehicles; ask around.
Accommodation near Deadvlei
There are some accommodation options near Deadvlei. The Sossusvlei Lodge and Campsite are within walking distance from the park and can be booked online, but only if you’re willing to pay for all your meals in advance. Suppose you want something more budget-friendly and don’t mind camping out under the stars. In that case, we recommend checking out Deadvlei Campsite or any other nearby cabins/camping grounds where they may have availability on their website.
Photography at Deadvlei
There is no shortage of photographic opportunities at Deadvlei. The area has been featured in many travel guides, and it’s easy to see why: the landscape is stunningly beautiful and dramatic, with dramatic skies and sunsets. The only things that can ruin your photographs are clouds or haze, so if you want to avoid these potential issues when visiting Deadvlei, ensure you have enough room on your memory card.
Best Time of Day to Visit Deadvlei
The best time to visit Deadvlei is during sunrise or sunset—when fewer people are around because they are either going home or coming back from work (or whatever else they do after sunrise). If possible, try not to go too early in the morning; this way, you can see everything up close without being distracted by crowds or other tourists like yourself who might be taking pictures too!
You can also get some great shots by staying until late afternoon, when most people leave campers behind for their next destination (such as Swakopmund). This way, not only does it give off a nice feeling but also allows photographers more flexibility about what kind of shots they want since there won’t be any distractions like cars passing by them constantly distracting them away from what’s happening right now – namely seeing how beautiful nature looks like without all those pesky humans ruining things!”
Conclusion
Deadvlei is a truly magical place. It’s not for everyone, but if you have the chance to visit this part of Namibia and see it, I highly recommend it. This part of the country reminds me of being in South Africa, with its rolling hills and dry outlands dotted with wildlife and plants only found there. The biggest difference between Namibia and South Africa is their climate systems – which explains why we have such different vegetation patterns.
