Sossusvlei (sometimes written Sossus Vlei) is a salt and clay pan surrounded by high red dunes, located in the southern part of the Namib Desert, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park of Namibia. The name “Sossusvlei” is often used in an extended meaning to refer to the surrounding area (including other neighbouring vleis such as Dead Vlei and other high dunes), which is one of the major visitor attractions of Namibia. The name “Sossusvlei” is of mixed origin, and roughly means “dead end marsh”. Vlei is the afrikaans word for “marsh”, while “sossus” is the name for “no return” or “dead end”. Sossusvlei owes this name to the fact that it is an endorheic drainage basin (a drainage basin without outflows) for the ephemeral Tsauchab River. The highlights in this area include; Elim Dune, Dune 45, Big Daddy Dune, Big Mama, Dead Vlei, Hidden Vlei and the Petrified Dunes. Fantastic photo opportunities exist.