Size & Location: 32 000km² in South-West Namibia in the Namib Naukluft Park
When to visit the park: Sept - March (rainy season, fills the desert with an array of flowers)
Climate: Avg. daytime temp. seldom drops below 35°C. Night-time: at about 5°C (lowest)
Rainfall: Erratic, 63mm per annum varying with high evaporation
Altitude: 1000m to 2000m above sea level

PARK INFORMATION:

At Sossusvlei towering mountains of sand surround huge, dried-up lakebeds and red and orange sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see. Located in the Namib Naukluft park, the largest conservation area in Africa, and fourth largest in the world, the best time to view Sossusvlei is at sunrise; the colours are strong and constantly changing, allowing for wonderful photographic opportunities. The renowned Sossusvlei sand dunes are a massive 300 metres high - the highest in the world. During exceptional rainy seasons Sossusvlei may fill with water, but normally it is bone dry with intense midday heat.

Desert mammals include three species of elephant shrew, desert golden mole, dune hairy-footed gerbil, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, African wild cat, spotted hyena, brown hyena, springbok, The reptile residents are fascinating and include lizards, barking geckos, crickets, spiders and snakes such as Peringuey's Adder.

Birdlife include black eagle, lappet-faced vulture, greater kestrel, Gray's lark, dune lark. Herero chat.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS:
* Hiking the world's largest and brightest coloured sand dunes at Sossusvlei
* Gain a true desert experience and come face to face with prehistoric Welwitschia plants
* Tracking the small desert creatures and observing their adaptation patterns

LINKS:
Commons.wikimedia.org (photos)
Wikipedia.org
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei accommodation
Sossusvlei Safaris