Namib Desert Circuit
Namibia
The world's oldest desert, 55 million years, and its most photogenic. Sossusvlei's 300m apricot dunes, the bleached bones of Deadvlei, the Skeleton Coast's shipwrecks, and Fish River Canyon's billion-year-old gorge.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Windhoek
A clean, compact capital with German colonial character. Bakeries sell Apfelstrudel and the sandstone Christuskirche rises above the city centre.
- Solitaire
A lone petrol station and bakery at a Namib crossroads. The apple pie is famous across Southern Africa; the desolation in every direction is absolute.
- Sesriem
The gate to Namib-Naukluft Park. Enter before sunrise to reach Sossusvlei at first light when the dunes glow most intensely orange.
- Sossusvlei
Star dunes rising 300m from the valley floor, among the highest in the world. The apricot-red sand is blown in from the Orange River over millennia.
- Deadvlei
A white clay pan ringed by 900-year-old dead camelthorn trees, black silhouettes unchanged since the river that fed them dried. Haunting and stark.
- Lüderitz
A German colonial port on a rocky Atlantic headland. The ghost town of Kolmanskop, swallowed by sand after the diamond rush, is a short drive away.
- Fish River Canyon
The second-largest canyon on Earth: 160km long, 27km wide, 550m deep, carved through billion-year-old Precambrian rock.
- Keetmanshoop
Southern Namibia's hub, surrounded by the Quiver Tree Forest, aloes with golden trunks once used as arrow quivers by the San people.
Where to Eat
- Barrels RestaurantSeafood
A cozy spot in Lüderitz known for its fresh seafood and local specialties, offering a warm atmosphere and friendly service.
- Essenzeit RestaurantGerman
Authentic German cuisine in the heart of Lüderitz, featuring hearty meals and a selection of imported beers.
- The Garden CaféCafé
A charming café in Lüderitz offering freshly baked goods, light meals, and aromatic coffee in a tranquil garden setting.
- Diaz Coffee ShopCafé
A popular spot in Lüderitz for coffee enthusiasts, serving a variety of brews and light snacks with a view of the bay.
- Crayfish Bar & LoungeSeafood
Specializing in fresh crayfish dishes, this Lüderitz restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere with ocean views.
Things to Do
- Kolmanskop Ghost TownHistoric Site
Explore the abandoned diamond mining town near Lüderitz, now a hauntingly beautiful ghost town overtaken by sand dunes.
- FelsenkircheLandmark
A historic German Lutheran church perched on a hill in Lüderitz, offering panoramic views of the town and bay.
- Diaz PointScenic Viewpoint
A dramatic rocky outcrop near Lüderitz, marking the spot where explorer Bartolomeu Dias planted a cross in 1488.
- Lüderitz MuseumMuseum
A small museum in Lüderitz showcasing the town's history, including exhibits on diamond mining and local culture.
- Agate BeachBeach
A serene beach near Lüderitz, known for its colorful agate stones and opportunities for beachcombing and relaxation.
Travel advisory
Most roads inside Sossusvlei and along the Skeleton Coast are gravel or sand, requiring a high-clearance vehicle. Access to the dune car park beyond the 2WD lot requires 4WD. Carry extra water and fuel as distances between services are very long.