Sesriem
Situated on the edge of the vast sand sea of the Namib, Sesriem is a base for exploring two of the Namib’s most spectacular features: Sesriem Canyon and Sossusvlei. The delightful camp site owes its name to a nearby canyon which holds water for several months after good rains. To draw water from the pools, early travellers had to tie a bucket to siz (ses) ox thongs (rieme) lashed together, hence the name… Sesriem.
A walk into Sesriem Canyon, about 4km south of Sesriem camp site, takes you back into history some 15 -1 8 million years ago. The different sizes of the stones and the thickness of the various layers clearly indicate the intensity with which the ancient rivers flowed. The layers were later cemented into conglomerates and exposed when the canyon was eroded some two and four million years ago.
Sesriem is a pleasant campsite, on the edge of the vast sand-dune of the Namib and is one of the few places accessible in an ordinary car. One of the most amazing features of the desert, the Sesriem Canyon, lies 4km from the camp.
The Gorge of the canyon, in places up to 30 meters deep, was carved out by the Tsauchab River over 3 millions years ago. After good rains the water stays in the canyon for months and it is possible to swim in the deep pool on the canyon floor. In some places the canyon narrows until it is only 2 meters wide.
Almost all our self drive 4×4 Namibia trips visit Sesriem and the Sossusvlei.
