Sesriem Canyon: Gorge and rain-dependent pools

Near Sesriem lies a gorge whose dimensions make a striking first impression: Sesriem Canyon is about one kilometre long and 30 to 40 metres deep. Pools at the foot of the gorge fill again after good rainfall. The landform and water are connected here in different ways: the gorge’s dimensions are permanent, while the pools depend on rain.

The gorge, the gate and the route towards Sossusvlei

Sesriem Campsite, Sossus Dune Lodge and Dead Valley Lodge are located beyond Sesriem’s outer gate. A permit office is located at Sesriem’s outer gate; check whether it is still available there before your visit. The gate is also an important landmark for the road towards Sossusvlei: from there, a 60-kilometre paved road leads to the car park before Sossusvlei. This is followed by a five-kilometre stretch through deep sand. The paved road therefore ends at the car park before Sossusvlei, not at the destination itself. If you include this section in your plans, bear in mind the change from paved road to deep sand and check the current conditions.

Visitors can climb Dune 45 in the surrounding area. Access and conditions may change; if you plan to climb it, check the current situation before your visit. This raises two different questions: how would you like to plan the route towards Sossusvlei, and are you also interested in climbing a dune?

Hardap as a wider travel destination

Hardap offers a distinct regional focus. Hardap Game Reserve lies at Hardap Dam on the Fish River; the dam covers an area of 25 km². The reserve’s landscape includes open savannah and mountainous areas such as the Gemsbok Plateau. With its open savannah and mountainous areas such as the Gemsbok Plateau, Hardap Game Reserve thus has a different landscape character from the gorge near Sesriem.

Activities mentioned at Hardap Game Reserve include freshwater fishing, water sports and boat trips. Game drives and birdwatching are also offered; hiking trails are described as 9 km and 15 km long. When planning your hikes, you can compare the two trail lengths: 9 km and 15 km. Current local conditions are relevant for activities and trails.

Annual fishing competitions are held at Hardap for those interested. As no specific date is given, check the latest event dates when planning your trip. A total of 284 bird species have been recorded in the reserve, including Bradfield’s Swift and Stark’s Lark. Wildlife includes, among others, Black Rhino, Kudu, Oryx, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, Springbok and Red Hartebeest; sightings of individual species are not guaranteed.

For planning a holiday together, comparing the destinations brings their different natural and activity highlights into focus: around Sesriem, the gorge, rain-dependent pools and the route towards Sossusvlei; in the wider travel destination of Hardap, the dam, savannah, mountainous areas and activities in the reserve. When choosing a holiday apartment, it helps to first decide which of these landscapes and experiences you want to make the focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Mariental, Hoachanas, Maltahöhe, Strampriet, Uhlenhorst, Rietoog, Naukluft, Aranos.

Go to the wider travel overview: Hardap.