Namibia
Sossusvlei
Welcome to Namibia's Sossusvlei — home to some of the tallest sand dunes on Earth, glowing bright orange-red in the sunlight, next to an eerie white pan full of ancient dead trees.
Why is it famous?
It sits in the middle of the Namib Desert — believed to be the oldest desert on the entire planet, dry for over 55 million years.
Towering red sand dunes rise all around it, some over 300 meters (1,000 feet) tall, among the tallest dunes in the world.
How did it form?
Wind has piled up sand into these enormous dunes over countless thousands of years, and the sand turns a deep orange-red as iron in it slowly rusts.
Nearby, a dried-up white clay pan called Deadvlei formed when the river that used to feed it changed course, leaving behind a cracked, sun-baked pan.
Amazing facts
The dead camel thorn trees standing in Deadvlei are believed to be 600-700 years old — they never rot away because the desert air is far too dry.
One giant dune here is nicknamed 'Big Daddy,' standing about as tall as New York's Chrysler Building.
Quick facts
- The dead camel thorn trees standing in Deadvlei are believed to be 600-700 years old — they never rot away because the desert air is far too dry.
- One giant dune here is nicknamed 'Big Daddy,' standing about as tall as New York's Chrysler Building.
- It gets so little rain that the huge dry pan is only flooded with water once every 5 to 10 years.
- The bright orange-red color of the dunes actually comes from tiny grains of rusted iron in the sand.