3 Day Sossusvlei Camping: An In-Depth Review

So, thinking about sleeping under the stars in Namibia? A three-day camping experience in Sossusvlei, is that really for you? Getting up close and comfy with some giant sand dunes could just be the trip you’ve been after. This isn’t just another vacation, so it’s almost like jumping into the core of the oldest desert around. That said, let’s chat about what awaits, and why this experience could, actually, change how you think about travel. This review goes beyond the postcards, giving it to you straight – the amazing sights, sure, but also, is that a sandfly?, how the tour operates, and is that long drop toilet really going to smell. So, come along as we walk through this Sossusvlei camping experience.

First Impressions and Getting There

Landing in Namibia, or winding there if you’re driving in (very fun if you like being independent), very quickly shifts your viewpoint. That is, the landscapes change. This 3-day gig usually begins in Windhoek, so you will often find everyone meeting up, grabbing gear, and cramming into a 4×4 – pretty essential to be fair when going across dirt tracks.

That road there, anyway, it’s long. Seriously, prepare yourself for a long drive with tons of stops and lots of getting out and pointing. Now, this first blast, anyway, gives you that moment to almost get into what’s ahead, because you are travelling far from phone reception and Starbucks! Is it what you expect, it tends to depend. Still, it starts to hit you when the red sand begins creeping onto the road, very soon you realize that there will be sand in very inaccessible spots!. Just a tiny word about Windhoek, by the way. You might consider building a bit of extra time to spend a night and visit, or you could move directly out as fast as possible, if your not a fan of urban spots.

Setting Up Camp: A Night Under the Stars

Alright, setting up camp. Very quickly after arriving, everyone usually mucks in. Tents get set up, very like your basic dome styles, and then someone throws something resembling food over a fire. Now, so the campsites themselves vary, expect is that you’re very remote, facilities, really are minimal, and the night skies can be amazing. And when I say amazing, I’m talking completely full of stars – some of which I never even considered! It’s pretty neat. If that makes sense?

Yet, while you’re getting all poetic about it, that thought comes in that you are surrounded by who-knows-what and should I really poke my head outside the tent to pee tonight. Animals aside, anyway, you are sleeping on the desert floor and very long hours of sunlight and hot temperatures is kind of important. So really, just try to find an area that isn’t full of stuff you can feel when lying down! On that point, maybe that blow up bed was not such a dumb idea.

Yet once all the bits and pieces that might bother you settle down a bit and so the campfire gets crackling, it all sort of pulls together. That is, stories get swapped, everyone relaxes. Is that the milky way over there? The guides always have great anecdotes too, as a matter of fact, from local lore to the weird stuff they’ve seen in the desert, which all, more or less, adds a nice layer to the whole adventure.

The Dunes: Climbing Giants

Now, come on, let’s chat dunes! First off, it’s almost worth it simply because you get to shout “I’m the king of the world”, Leo-style. Jokes aside, still, the dunes are quite unique. So they start early in the mornings (as in, crazy early, it tends to be when no normal person considers rising). You get transported by that 4×4 vehicle again and driven deep into Sossusvlei as fast as the guide seems happy to do on corrugated dirt.

That is, once you arrive and climb that huge mountain of sand you sort of know very why you came here! It’s absolutely immense. This is especially the case when you finally step onto the crest to gaze outwards. That’s really cool. Dune 45 might well be the famous one but still, big, little, scary or not so much, make a decision, that is, take one on. By the way, make sure to put those cameras away! And also, walking barefoot could very well be a way to almost experience things (or it could just make you whimper).

Now it doesn’t finish at the top, so after you enjoy the view a bit, coming down needs a mention, too. Seriously, some race down these slopes! Is that completely fun? Of course! Very quickly, too, those tidy clothes will be entirely filled up. Oh, and that thing about sunrise I mentioned? That sun does rise. In that case it also sets – and believe me when I suggest it could be among one the great sunrises to actually witness.

Deadvlei: A Photographer’s Dream

So then, Dead Vlei, maybe you saw this on that documentary? Very weird, sort of creepy and seriously, still it provides some nice images. This region looks like, a dried lake floor which still houses dead tree skeletons – that just makes an incredibly unique, strange view. Light tends to affect it, so visiting in the first hours, it seems, will produce dark shadows – nice when taking images.

Anyway, strolling around here offers chances. Is that some artsy photo you are looking for? Then consider going here to find it. Very little grows nearby, in some respects it feels detached – seriously – as you stand inside Death Valley. Very similar to standing somewhere like a film set.

What to Bring and What to Expect

Here’s a little of the straight talk, but only what should be packed along plus managing your expectations prior heading for Sossusvlei:

• Gear So pack light-weight, cool garments. Think clothing you can hide underneath. Broad brim hats will be good. And walking boots really are worth dragging around! Also you want is that lens or smartphone to snap those photographs you will no doubt grab. So a lot. A bit. And that’s even before putting your hiking boot up those sandhills, in some respects make those foot socks double up.
• Water Anyway, remain hydrated constantly – even whether which means drinking some gallons per day – it may likely assist you handling temps well as remain active hiking, by the way. Make certain tour provides enough H2O to you personally or prepare purchasing several along throughout stop offs.
• Sun Protection Really, Namibia gets lots of bright daylight hours- so sunblock really would prove a great advantage against sun. Think about wearing dark shades as your very own eyes’ protection plus use sunblocks upon any of your epidermis elements uncovered particularly when walking under those midday heat waves for that duration of hours.
• Facilities Be very aware these spots become somewhat “backcountry.” Generally meaning minimal and basic lavatory service stations, a great deal of outside cooking and, very potentially, virtually no wifi whatsoever to stay on for duration you go down. So perhaps enjoy a real possibility linked of switching off awhile?
• Wildlife Yes possibly animals. I suggest watch for wildlife especially as getting around throughout sun down (or just early dawns!), for animals is that time. Watch tour policies associated if needing straying alone also value maintaining peaceful far from animals’.

Is This Trip for You?

This adventure would totally be just about the thing only when these hit-right around at your comfort spot really: People adoring rugged environments so individuals which never back-out encountering completely new cultures hands. Really just to sit under constellations while sipping near that very own fireplace sounds extremely ” you.”

That can become quite the opposite experience while longing almost exclusively for super smooth, predictable schedules coupled by lots facilities easily available. The whole time just remember what makes exploring actually enjoyable or even when things shift off expectation – it only delivers greater real memories.

3-Day Sossusvlei Camping: Final Thoughts

Alright, three days, lots of sands. Just to round off this Sossusvlei experience, basically, you can see that it isn’t just taking a trip; it is mostly living fully surrounded amongst possibly most drastic, most wonderful areas this terrain has shown people. Very expect almost challenging climbs or that incredibly clear early time. Get those grimy hand experiences while creating exceptional photo opportunities with each other.

For anyone having this considered, prepare yourself thoroughly – consider just what actually becomes really significant! Get from the electronic gadgets (seriously actually), have interactions right onto planet surrounding all others there and enjoy! Does anything happen right when that perfect occasion arises, just at some time; for experiencing natural magnificence will totally go down in those historical accounts!