Surely on of the highlights of every Namibia trip is a visit to Sossusvlei, a salt pan surrounded by high red dunes, located in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The name Sossusvlei can be translated with “dead-end marsh”. Sossusvlei is the final drainage basin for the Tsauchab river, who ends here and will never see the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. To find out more about this fascinating natural marvel in the Namib desert continue after the jump…
Access to the Sossusvlei area of the Namib-Naukluft National Park is from the Sesriem gate, from which a 60 km road leads to the Sossusvlei. The gates to the National Park open at sunrise 6:30, then it takes about 90 minutes to arrive at the salt pan. We wanted to make the most of the early morning light and planned to be right at the gate at opening time. But like during our first visit 23 years ago, we had a punctured tire the night before traveling to Sossusvlei. So first (at 6 am) we had to change the tire on our Toyota Fortuner rental 4×4, meaning we arrived 45 minutes later than planned. Still, the light was fantastic while driving the 60 kilometers between the dunes.
The dunes have a vivid pink – orange color, the quartz sands having a high concentration of iron and are subject to an oxidation processes. The oldest dunes are those of a more intense reddish color. These dunes are among the highest in the world – many of them are above 200 metres, the highest towering above the Deadvlei being nicknamed Big Daddy, about 325 metres high.
In the rare occasions the Tsaucheb river carries water, the vlei actually floods, when dry, these pans look almost white in color, due to the high concentration of salt. Another relevant source of water for Sossusvlei is the humidity brought by the daily morning fogs that enter the desert from the cold Southern Atlantic Ocean. In any case there is enough water for some vegetation to grow, that also feed roaming antelopes like the Oryx.
We climbed “Big Mama”, the dune behind the Sossusvlei. Everywhere are traces in the sand, left by insects and other small animals like blizzards and snakes. After a steep ascent we had a great time just running down the side of the dune down to the vlei.
A highlight was also the visit of the Deadvlei, a neighboring salt pan that features a large number of dead trees, killed when one of the large sand dunes passed over them.
Photographically challenging is that you work in an environment full of fine sand. In order to avoid changing lenses I brought two bodies, the PEN-F with the 12-40mm F/2.8 and the OM-D E-M1 with the 40-150mm F/2.8. Ok, carrying two cams up a 300m dune in the Namib desert might sound crazy, but then again, this is why I switched from a Nikon DSLR system to Olympus mirrorless.
In the Deadvlei was also a group of traveling photographers, each equipped with at least two full frame bodies and various big lenses hanging from both sides of their bodies, so I felt very light and comfy with my two small Olympus mirrorless cameras.
I hope you liked this little trip into the Namib Desert and the stunning high sand dunes of Sossusvlei.
We continue back to the coast, to see the sea side of those great dunes at Sandwich Harbor near Walvis Bay. Stay tuned for more!
Sossusvlei was our first stop after Windhoek. Memorable for the sandstorm we camped in the night before the trip to the Dead Vlei and also for the trip into the park itself. Great photos – I recognise some of the trees from our visit and my own pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for commenting, Simon, and I’m happy you like the photos. You had the sand storm the night before the Vlei, we had a flat tire we needed to change under torch-light 😉
Wow this is amazing and you won’t believe that I painted this place in an acrylic painting without even knowing that this is what it was. Crazy and I will have to make a post of it sometime. Beautiful capture as always and love the contrast of the dead trees against the sand.
Sossusvlei was our first stop after Windhoek. Memorable for the sandstorm we camped in the night before the trip to the Dead Vlei and also for the trip into the park itself. Great photos – I recognise some of the trees from our visit and my own pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for commenting, Simon, and I’m happy you like the photos. You had the sand storm the night before the Vlei, we had a flat tire we needed to change under torch-light 😉
Wow, these are also spectacular compositions, outstanding post!!
Thanks, C.S., it means a lot coming from you! Marcus
Wow this is amazing and you won’t believe that I painted this place in an acrylic painting without even knowing that this is what it was. Crazy and I will have to make a post of it sometime. Beautiful capture as always and love the contrast of the dead trees against the sand.
What a coincidence. Would love to see your painting of this magic place! Thanks for your kind words! Marcus
I will either show you at home or make a post 😉
Our highlight as well
Thanks for commenting, glad you could see the magic yourself! Marcus
Enjoying every piece of these.. But my! I really love that first one on top! Great framing. >-I
Thanks so much, love your comment! Marcus
Wow! That’s such an impressive sight. Thanks so much for sharing!
Glad you like it! Thanks for reading! Marcus
Gorgeous! Love the thoughtful framing
Thank you so much 🙂 !
Wonderful photos Marcus, ha ha this time I did feel the sand 🙂 Lynne
Seems like a painting,specially the single tree in the sand.
lovely captures.
Thanks, glad you like it! Marcus
Gorgeous color!
Thanks, David, highly appreciated! Marcus
Desolation portrayed in such a beautiful manner.
Thanks, your comment means so much! Marcus
Wow, amazing photography. The sand dunes are so rich in color.
This reminds me of a Dali! What beautiful pictures!
Thanks, Kristin, your comment means a lot! Marcus
That’s wonderful to hear Marcus! 😀
Now that’s a lot of sand – beautiful photography – thanks for sharing
More sand that you could ever imagine 😉 ! Thanks for commenting! Marcus
Stunning photos Marcus, the colours are amazing.
Thanks, Marion, as always so much appreciated! Marcus
Excellent photography!
Wow – thanks for the feedback! Marcus
Wow! I LOVE that first image of the trees against the dunes!
Thanks, Sue, so glad you like it! Marcus
Just great! And glad to hear you are also an Olympus mirrorless user….