Sesriem
The gate settlement to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, and home to its own dramatic Sesriem Canyon.
Sesriem is the small settlement and park gate that serves as the entry point to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, Namibia’s most famous dune landscape, within the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Beyond its gateway role, Sesriem has its own notable feature in Sesriem Canyon, a narrow gorge carved into conglomerate rock a short walk from the entrance gate.
Sesriem at a glance
Geographic setting and history
Sesriem sits at the eastern edge of the Namib Sand Sea, where the gravel plains give way to the towering red dunes that continue some 60 km further into the park towards Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. The settlement itself is little more than the park gate, a fuel station and a small cluster of accommodation. Sesriem takes its name from the Afrikaans for “six thongs”, reportedly the number of joined ox-hide strips early settlers needed to draw water from the depths of Sesriem Canyon. The Namib-Naukluft National Park itself was established and expanded through the twentieth century to protect this section of the world’s oldest desert.
Today Sesriem functions almost entirely around tourism to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, with a steady flow of self-drive visitors and tour vehicles passing through the gate each morning, particularly around sunrise when the dune colours and light are at their most dramatic.
Sesriem Canyon and Elim Dune
Most visitors come to Sesriem specifically to access Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, but Sesriem Canyon and nearby Elim Dune offer worthwhile additional stops, particularly for those staying overnight rather than day-tripping from further afield. Sesriem Canyon, roughly 4 km from the gate, is a narrow gorge cut into conglomerate rock, walkable along its dry riverbed floor and a good shaded option away from the open dune heat.
A distinct feature from Sossusvlei itself
Sesriem Canyon is a genuinely separate landmark from the dunes at Sossusvlei, a short walk from the park gate rather than deep within the dune sea, and worth treating as its own stop rather than a substitute for the main dune visit.
Photo: Daniel Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Food, fuel and supplies
Sesriem has a fuel station and a small shop, but choice and stock are limited; most travellers arrive with supplies already bought in Windhoek, Solitaire or Maltahöhe, as prices and availability inside the park area are more restricted.
How to get there and getting around
Sesriem is reached via gravel roads from Solitaire to the north and Maltahöhe to the south, or via tarred and gravel routes from Windhoek via the C24 and C19. Self-drive is the standard approach, and a normal sedan can usually manage the approach roads, though the dunes themselves at Sossusvlei require care. A private vehicle is needed to reach Sossusvlei and Deadvlei from the gate; the final stretch to Sossusvlei itself is soft sand and often covered by a park shuttle service for those without four-wheel drive.
Best time to visit and suggested length of stay
The gate opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, and an early start is strongly recommended both for cooler temperatures and better light on the dunes; the cooler months from May to September are generally more comfortable for the walk to Deadvlei. One night at or near Sesriem is the minimum to properly experience an early Sossusvlei visit; two nights allow time for Sesriem Canyon and Elim Dune as well.
Road, safety and responsible travel notes
Roads to Sesriem are gravel and generally manageable in a standard car at moderate speed; the final 5 km stretch to Sossusvlei itself is deep sand and requires four-wheel drive or the park’s shuttle service. Daytime heat can be extreme, particularly on the walk between Sossusvlei’s car park and Deadvlei; carry more water than seems necessary, wear sun protection, and pace exertion carefully, especially when climbing dunes. Stay on established paths and vehicle tracks to protect the fragile desert surface.
Where to stay in Sesriem
Sesriem is the practical base for Sossusvlei, and where you sleep determines how early you can reach the dunes. Browse our Sossusvlei and Sesriem accommodation listings for camps and lodges inside and outside the gate.
Where to stay and what to book at Sesriem
Sesriem is the gate settlement for Sossusvlei, and staying inside the gate or immediately outside it decides whether you can be at Dune 45 for sunrise. These three span camping to a lodge at the gate.
Places to stay near Sesriem
Sossus Oasis Campsite
Sossus Oasis Campsite sits right at the entrance gate to Namib-Naukluft National Park in Sesriem, making it one of…
Price Guide: N$650–N$720
View Property DetailsDesert Camp
Desert Camp is a self-catering camp on a farm off the D826, about 5 kilometres from Sossusvlei Lodge and the…
Price Guide: N$2,682–N$2,862
View Property DetailsSossusvlei Lodge Sesriem
Sossusvlei Lodge sits right at the Sesriem gate into the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Check current availability…
Price Guide: N$6,500–N$6,900
View Property Details
Check live availabilityBrowse all Sesriem accommodation
Tours and activities in Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei Budget Camping Safari – 3 Days
Travel overland from Windhoek to Swakopmund on this 3-day Sossusvlei camping safari through the Namib Desert.
View Tour Details3-Day Sossusvlei and Deadvlei Shared Desert Tour from Windhoek
A shared-group Deadvlei tour from Windhoek, running directly to Sossusvlei without a coastal detour, with two…
View Tour DetailsSossusvlei Private Guided Tour – 3 Days
Visit Dune 45, Deadvlei and Sesriem Canyon on this private 3-day Sossusvlei tour with meals and park fees included.
View Tour Details
See all Sossusvlei tours and activities
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Nearby destinations
Sossusvlei. The famous dune and clay-pan landscape, roughly 60 km into the park.
Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert. The wider region Sesriem belongs to.
Solitaire. The small desert-road settlement to the north.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sesriem the same as Sossusvlei?
No, Sesriem is the gate settlement roughly 60 km from Sossusvlei itself; most visitors stay at or near Sesriem before driving in to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei.
Should I stay inside or outside the Sesriem gate?
Staying inside the gate allows earlier entry to Sossusvlei before sunrise, which many visitors consider worthwhile for the light and cooler temperatures.
Is Sesriem Canyon worth visiting separately from Sossusvlei?
Yes, it is a short, easy walk close to the gate and a good option for an evening or a day without an early start.
Last reviewed: 27 July 2026.
Planning a stop at Sesriem?
See the wider Sossusvlei and Namib Desert region, build a self-drive route through the Namib, or check the practical planning guides before you go.
Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert hub Self-Drive Namibia guide Itineraries Travel PlanningFurther reading: Sossusvlei vs Deadvlei is worth reading before your first morning drive from Sesriem.