Sossusvlei Lodge (Sossusvlei)

Guided Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei Excursions

This guided excursion is ideal to explore Sossusvlei and the dunes!

An early start from the Lodge to enter the Namib Naukluft Park at sunrise. This is when the temperature is still mild and when the dune contrasts are at their best. You will travel in an all terrain URI game viewer vehicle, with your own specially trained guide. Who will share all their knowledge of the area, animals, plant life, and much more with you.

Regular stops are made on the spectacular ±60 kilometer drive through the dune corridor down to the Vlei. To gain information or take in the vistas. At Dune 45, stop to view the world’s most photographed dune. Further along, a gradual 2,6 kilometer round trip guided walk up to Dead Vlei is a must for healthy visitors. The more energetic have the opportunity to climb to the upper ridge of Big Daddy Dune. One of the highest dunes in this area! We spend time exploring Sossusvlei before returning to the Lodge approximately 5½ hours later. Just in time for lunch.

Sundowner trips

Depart from Sossusvlei Lodge in the late afternoon on a leisurely drive on the Lodge’s private reserve. Watch the shadows lengthen as your guide takes you out to a panoramic location. Where you can enjoy sundowner drinks as you relax and watch the spectacular sunset. The inner tranquillity that a desert sunset imparts while you sit amongst nature is really something special.

Quad Buggy Nature Drives

A wonderful and different way to experience the spectacular local surroundings.

Depart from the Lodge in the late afternoon with Quad Buggies. For a slow nature drive on the private lodge reserve. Enjoy breathtaking views over the Desert grass plains with occasional photo stops. Where knowledgeable guides explain the Desert fauna and flora.

Go higher up to the foothills to watch a spectacular sunset. While enjoying non-alcoholic sundowner drinks and then make our way back to the lodge just before dark.

Compulsory: All guests wishing to participate and drive a buggy MUST have a valid driver’s license.

Child Policy: Children aged between 6 and 18 can accompany an adult in the passenger seat.

Guided Elim Dune Walks

Discover the spectacular Elim Dune Belt with knowledgeable guides. In order to see the smaller details of the desert that usually would be missed. Such as nocturnal animal tracks, plant species, and smaller wildlife.

The guided nature walk starts at sunrise.

Archery

Archery is a fun but challenging activity that can be mastered fairly quickly. Instructors will be on hand to teach you the age old art of the bow and arrow. This is a more relaxed activity where archers can compete against each other. Or have a shoot out to see who the master archer is.

Sesriem Canyon Excursion

Explore the remarkable depths of Sesriem Canyon. Experienced guides will share the history behind this magnificent natural canyon carved by the Tsauchab River.

Sossusvlei Hot Air Ballooning

Add an exhilarating dimension to your visit to the Namib desert by booking a hot air balloon safari. Sail silently over the reddish dune sea of the Namib.

The duration of the excursion is approximately 3½ hours. The Hot Air Balloon flight itself takes about one hour. Ending with an exclusive Champagne Breakfast at the landing spot in scenic nature.

Special group rates apply for groups of min 24 pax, max 110 pax.

Due to the desert temperatures, this activity is only offered in the mornings. Guests will depart with their own vehicles to the ballooning base at least half an hour before sunrise. The balloon rises as the sun rises. The first light hour of the day is the most spectacular. Especially in the desert with the rich contrast of color and shape on the towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei. And on the vast desert plains and surrounding mountain ranges.

Hot Air Ballooning is strictly weather permitting and operates from 16th February until 14th January annually. It is best to book it for your first full day in Sossusvlei. Just in case it needs to be postponed due to wind.

Restrictions:
Children wishing to participate must be over 120 cm (1.2 m) in height. Smaller children are welcome to follow the balloon with the ground crew in the retrieving 4 x 4 vehicle. To join their parents at the landing for the champagne breakfast

All persons must be able to stand up during the flight.

Helicopter Flights

Discover the majesty of the Namib Desert by Helicopter! Well experienced pilots will guide you through the scenery on an adventurous and informative flight.

We can offer a range of scenic flights. From viewing the breathtaking grass plains to the towering dunes of Sossusvlei and also the hidden mysteries of Deadvlei. Exciting helicopter flips over the Sesriem Canyon, Dune 45, and Elim Dune. As well as custom built flights for photographers that wish to focus on specific areas of the Namib.

Scenic Flights

Desert Air has a well maintained Cessna 210 light aircraft permanently based at Sossusvlei Lodge. Along with an experienced pilot who also doubles as a trained “aerial” desert guide.

A number of routes are available on request, including:
A 40 minute trip to Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon; will provide you with wonderful aerial photographs of the dunes and Canyon.

A longer one hour trip to the forbidden coast of the Namib Desert; Sperrgebiet and the area that is known as Lange Wand. This will provide you with incredible views. Where a ‘sea of desert dunes’ meet the Atlantic ocean.

An hour and a half trip over the Sossusvlei area will include Conception Bay, a seal colony, shipwrecks.  And even old diamond miners’ camps.

We can also arrange charter flights to onward destinations.