Deadvlei – Dreamlike Forest Landscape in Namibia
DeadVlei or Dead Vlei (dead marsh) is an otherworldly landscape which is a sun-blackened dead forest in a dried oasis surrounded by rust-orange giant sand dunes.
The claypan was formed when the Tsauchab River flooded and the abundance of water allowed camel thorn trees to grow. However, the climate changed and the sand dunes encroached on the pan, blocking the river from reaching the area. The trees are estimated to be approximately 900 years old, however they have not decomposed due to the dry climate.
It is a very surreal place which is why it was used as a psychic dream location in the J Lo film The Cell.
Deadvlei is a heaven for photographers as the contrast between colors of the nature and the sky make incredible images. Deadvlei is far from the parking lot, so be sure to stay hydrated.
Submitted by Mike. Thank you.
Coordinates:24° 45′ 35″ S, 15° 17′ 31″ E
Images by Michael Baynes, Maria Velonà, Perry McKenna, roba66, Kris, Fabio Bianchi, Conor MacNeill, Klaus Brandstaetter, sfrancis23, Darren, Klaus Brandstaetter, Monique van der Hoeven, Panorama Paul, Hannes Steyn.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Deadvlei, Namib-Naukluft National Park, Hardap, Namibia
- Coordinates
- -24.7629, 15.2949
- Access
- Deadvlei lies about 60 km from the Sesriem Campsite. The last sandy section requires suitable 4×4 driving; Namibia Wildlife Resorts currently lists a shuttle from the Sesriem Campsite to Deadvlei for N$180 per person for November 2026–June 2027. The pan itself is reached on foot over roughly 1.1 km through sand; carry water and use marked routes.
- Admission
- Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism fee sheet, effective 1 January 2021, lists Namib-Naukluft Park adult totals per 24 hours of N$50 for Namibians, N$100 for SADC nationals and N$150 for other foreign nationals; vehicle fees are additional. This is the latest public tariff located, not a confirmed 2026 rate. Check the Sesriem permit office before travel. NWR lists its separate Deadvlei shuttle at N$180 per person for November 2026–June 2027.
- Time needed
- No official total visit duration is published. The walk from the parking area to Deadvlei is roughly 1.1 km through dunes each way; the time varies with sand, heat and how long you spend at the pan. The 4×4 drive or shuttle adds separate travel time.
- Best season
- The 2024 Namibian environmental assessment describes May–October as the dry season, with little rain and generally sunny conditions. This supports drier access but is not a guarantee of mild temperatures; bring water and check road/weather conditions.
- Opening hours
- Day visitors must follow the current Sesriem gate schedule and leave before the park closes; a current fixed daily timetable was not found in MEFT’s public pages. NWR says guests staying at Sossus Dune Lodge inside the park can reach Sossusvlei before sunrise and remain after sunset; that exception should not be assumed for day visitors. Confirm current gate times with MEFT at Sesriem.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-25
- Facts checked
- 2026-09-30
Map marks the area, not a visitor entrance.
Location
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