Things to do in  Namib-Naukluft Park

On the white clay pan of Deadvlei, petrified trees stand out like Matisse cutouts against the orange dunes. Located in the Namib-Naukluft Park, the site was formed through persistent drought and scorching sun, which killed the trees and dried them until they became stark black skeletons. Eerie and dramatic, Deadvlei shows off the strange beauty of the desert.

This Namibian mountain pass links the Khomas Highland and Namib Desert. With a top gradient of 14 percent, the road to the pass is among the region’s steepest. Quartzite rocks on the summit have become a landmark in their own right; the bright white stone can be seen at a distance as vehicles wind upward toward Spreetshoogte Pass.

Nestled in the Namib-Naukluft National Park not far from famous Dune 45, the otherworldly salt and clay pan landscape of Sossusvlei is a must-see when in Namibia. Come to experience and photograph the towering red dunes and golden sands framed against a sprawling blue sky.

Carved over millions of years, the Sesriem Canyon was created by the ephemeral Tsauchab River, which comes to life during Namibia’s rainy season. Its smooth, colorful walls and intricate curves and formations make it a paradise for photographers, and a stunning hiking spot during the dry season.