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Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion

Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion

Overview: Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion

Explore the world's oldest desert with an expert guide. Hoodia Desert Lodge runs the Sossusvlei excursion for its guests a little differently to other lodges in the area and we believe it is one of the best (sadly you cannot joint this activity unless you are staying at Hoodia). The emphasis is on good guides, who relay their knowledge of the Namib-Naukluft in an interesting and concise way, giving you a much richer experience than driving yourself.

The Hoodia trip is run at a slower pace than most, in contrast with the sometimes crowded, often rushed and occasionally chaotic feeling of some of the alternatives. While the slower pace does mean that travellers will miss out on the earliest photos of Deadvlei, we believe that this is a compromise worth making. As this trip fills up quickly, it requires pre-booking; speak to us for more detail.

The details

You’ll be woken well before sunrise, giving you time to enjoy breakfast before leaving the lodge. Then jump into an enclosed safari vehicle for the 22km drive to Sesriem and the gates of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, arriving just before they open at sunrise.

From the park gates, the 65km drive to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei is full of interest and colour. As the sun climbs above the Naukluft Mountains your guide will find a scenic spot where you can stop and enjoy the spectacle. He/she will explain a little about the geological processes that formed the unique Namib Sand Sea and tell you about the desert-adapted animals that call this desiccated environment home. Keen birders should keep their eyes peeled for Namibia’s only true endemic bird, the dune lark.

From here you will continue your leisurely drive to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, keeping a lookout for springbok, oryx and other larger wildlife along the way.

Once at the 4WD car park you’ll explore on foot, taking a route that your guide considers appropriate to the fitness of the group. Generally, you will take a relatively quiet route over some of the smaller dunes into Deadvlei, which usually allows some great photo opportunities of the iconic trees without crowds of people in the way. More adventurous and fitter groups will then have the chance to climb the dune known as ‘Big Mamma’ before returning to the vehicle for a tea break.

From here your guide will take you back towards the park entrance before diverting to Elim Dune, a picturesque area that is often missed by the casual visitor. This is the setting for your ‘Out of Africa style' lunch, a scenic sit-down meal set up in the shade of a camelthorn tree, complete with tablecloths and spectacular views.

The last stop on your trip takes you to Sesriem Canyon, some 30m deep in places and carved out over time by the Tsauchab River. From here, you’ll return to the lodge in time for afternoon tea.


Please note: Expert Africa can only arrange this desert and dune excursion as part of a full, Expert Africa itinerary including at least two nights staying at Hoodia Desert Lodge. See the Holiday ideas, below, for examples of such itineraries.
Start location
You’ll generally be woken up an hour before leaving Hoodia to get to the park gates in time for sunrise. This gives you time for breakfast before you leave.
End location
You'll return to Hoodia
Meals included
Picnic lunch is included
Duration
Full day, including lunch
Maximum group size
Customised Land Cruisers are used for this excursion, which can carry up to six passengers.

Photo gallery

What to look forward to.


1 of 11
Explore the iconic apricot dunes of Sossusvlei...
2 of 11
...your expert guide will teach you about the flora, fauna and geology of this unique park...
3 of 11
...you may even get up-close and personal with some of the deserts residents.
4 of 11
...before climbing some dunes...
5 of 11
...and admiring the view.
6 of 11
Once you've worked up and appetite enjoy an 'Out of Africa' breakfast.
7 of 11
And finally explore the unexpected Sesriem Canyon.
8 of 11
9 of 11
10 of 11
11 of 11

Explore the iconic apricot dunes of Sossusvlei...

...your expert guide will teach you about the flora, fauna and geology of this unique park...

...you may even get up-close and personal with some of the deserts residents.

...before climbing some dunes...

...and admiring the view.

Once you've worked up and appetite enjoy an 'Out of Africa' breakfast.

And finally explore the unexpected Sesriem Canyon.

Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion reviews

25 independent first-hand comments from our travellers.


97%
94 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
84
Good
7
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs RfromSyderstone

16 Aug 2024

"Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion review"

"...a highlight of our trip... our guide, Lukas, made the trip so memorable... …" Read Mr & Mrs R’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

R&EfromLondon

19 Sep 2024

"Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion review"

"Very good excursion, very knowledgable guide and amazing lunch …" Read R&E’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs PfromReading

23 Sep 2024

"Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion review"

"ur guide was very good and made the day seem special …" Read Mr & Mrs P’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs LfromGloucester

2 Oct 2024

"Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion review"

"An amazing experience into a magical world. Lunch was a 5 star meal ... …" Read Mr & Mrs L’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs H fromVictoria

9 Sep 2024

"Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion review"

"fantastic excursion, learnt a lot about Sossusvlei and Namibia. …" Read Mr & Mrs H ’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

H familyfromSurrey

23 Sep 2024

"Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion review"

"a great way to see the dunes and desert …" Read H family’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

K&RfromYorkshire

12 Jun 2024

"Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion review"

"A 'must do' excursion. The lunch spot was excellent as was the lunch. …" Read K&R’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs CfromBucks

17 Aug 2024

"Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion review"

"Our guide was very informative on geography, geology, culture, flora and fauna. …" Read Mr & Mrs C’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs MfromHampshire

25 Jul 2024

"Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion review"

"A fantastic day hosted expertly …" Read Mr & Mrs M’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion reviews

Ideas for holidays which can include Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion

Add this experience to these trip ideas or contact us to start planning your own tailor-made holiday to Namibia.


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Brown Hyena Self-drive

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WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT

The perfect trip for those who want to mix the adventure and freedom of a self-drive with some of our favourite luxury camps in Namibia and a great mix of activities.

US$8,190 - US$10,330 per person

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Black Wildebeest Self-drive Safari

19 days • 10 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT

Journey from South Africa’s cosmopolitan Cape Town to central Namibia’s Okonjima Nature Reserve during this self-driven safari. The route passes through a stunning variety of landscapes, offering access to this beautiful continent’s rich diversity.

US$3,450 - US$4,440 per person

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Pelican Fly & Drive Safari

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US$6,020 - US$8,980 per person

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Chongololo Self-drive Safari

21 days • 11 locations
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This self-drive safari focuses on the best walking experiences in Namibia. Get your boots ready for the apricot dunes of the Namib Desert and the ancient hills of Damaraland.

US$7,690 - US$10,350 per person

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Dune Lark Fly & Drive Safari

14 days • 8 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT

A combination fly-in self-drive exploration of Namibia, with quick, easy and scenic flights in and out of Sossusvlei before a classic road trip adventure of the country’s rugged north.

US$4,920 - US$6,020 per person

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