Sesriem Campsite is located perfectly at the entry to Sossusvlei inside the
park gate, just a short drive from Sesriem Canyon and right
beside the internal park gate into the desert dunes and Sossusvlei which opens 1 hour before the external park gate opens, so guests staying inside the park can be in the dunes for sunrise.
Sesriem Camp is perfect for campers who want to experience the beauty of the Namib Desert with the sun setting over the Elim dune then the stars emerging until they fill the sky above you and the clicking of the desert barking Geckos and distant howl of the Jackal. Sit by the fire and imagine what you will.
After a good nights rest its up early (one hour before sunrise) for a drive to the sossusvlei wherer you can climb a sand dune and watch the colours change as the sun rises over the horizon slipping its morning warmth over the Namib desert dunes.
NWR Sesriem Camp has twenty (20) camping sites in the shade of ancient camel thorn trees (all campsites including the overflow sites which do not have trees must be booked in advance due to high demand year round).
The camp sites at Seriem are set on the edge of the desert inside the Namib Naukluft Park. Sesriem is a unique place to enjoy the sounds of the desert night as the Geckos and insects sing you to sleep.
The campsites at Sesriem are well spaced with a tree to provide shade, fire place/braai/BBQ, water tap, animal proof rubbish bins and a low wall surrounding each site. Clean ablution blocks shared between the campsites provide showers and toilets.
The main reason to visit Sesriem Camp is to enjoy the Namib Desert and in particular Sossusvlei and the surrounding dunes. Sesriem Camp is inside the Sossusvlei National Park for early access to the dunes before sunrise.
Elim Dune is a petrified dune near Sesriem Camp perfect for visiting to watch the sunset.
Another must visit while staying at Sesriem Camp is to Sesriem Canyon which is just outside the gate to the National Park.
A swimming pool at the centre of Sesriem Camp allows guests to cool off and relax in the midday heat and the bar serves cold drinks.
At the entrance to Sesriem Camp there is a fuel station.
Facilities and activities at Sesriem Camp include:
Sossusvlei is a depression in the heart of the Namib Desert were very rarely water that flows along the Tsauchab river in good rainy seasons finally dries up to leave a hard white crusted surface for many years until there is enough water to push the river this far into the desert, the pan or 'vlei' is lined by some of the highest dunes in the world.
Although a very rare occurrence, during periods of good rains the pan or "vlei" fills up with water from the Tsauchab River. This water wonder in the middle of the desert is a spectacular sight. The Namib desert flooded in 2021 after many drought years, but the last time Sossuvlei was full of water was in 2008.
These tree stumps have survived thousands of years, and we can completely understand why you would want to take a selfie with them, but please do not climb on the trees and stumps as they are very fragile and in recent years many of the remaining stumps have fallen or been damaged by tourists attempting to take the perfect instagram shot.
As a result of erosion over many centuries, a narrow gorge of about one kilometre in length was formed about 30 to 40 metres deep.
Early explorers had to tie six (ses) lengths of thongs (traditional belts that were made from a ream/riem of leather hence riem) together to draw water from the pools in the canyon, creating the name "Sesriem".
Explore the Sesriem Canyon from this great and scenic campsite.