A major change is coming to one of Namibia’s most visited natural landmarks, as self-drive travellers will no longer be allowed to enter the 4x4 section of the Sossusvlei Concession Area from 15 December 2025.
Tour operators have expressed concern about this announcement, highlighting the cost and affordability that this will have for tourists.
They also pointed out that international tourists plan and budget their trips well ahead of time, and that this will now be an added cost for them if they were planning to visit Sossusvlei.
About Africa Co, through Adelt Sossusvlei Concession Management, is implementing the next phase of their Concession Agreement with the tourism ministry to ensure sustainable tourism and proper protection of this World Heritage Site.
The announcement, issued by About Africa Co in a firm industry briefing, marks the end of an era for independent visitors who for decades have ventured into the final stretch leading to Deadvlei, Big Mamma and Sossusvlei under their own steam.
The new rules—described as both sweeping and non-negotiable—stem from the company’s 2024 Concession Agreement with the tourism ministry.
Under this agreement, About Adelt Sossusvlei Concession Management (Pty) Ltd holds exclusive access and excursion rights inside the sensitive 4x4 zone of the UNESCO-listed landscape.
Founder and CEO of About Africa Co., Heiko Dörgeloh, said in a statement that no private vehicles will be permitted to proceed past the 2x4 parking area from mid-December onward. The restriction is being positioned as a necessary intervention to protect the fragile dune corridor, which has suffered years of unmanaged traffic, off-track driving and growing congestion during peak seasons.
According to Dörgeloh, the ban aligns with the tourism ministry’s conservation management plan and is part of a broader effort to stabilise dune degradation and minimise human impact in Namibia’s most photographed desert destination.
While self-drivers will be fully phased out, certain operators will retain limited access.
Lodges located inside the Sossusvlei area may continue transporting their own guests into the concession, and Namibia Tourism Board (NTB)-registered tour operators will be permitted to escort their travellers during a temporary grace period that will be reviewed regularly.
Dörgeloh, however, said that any misconduct or damaging behaviour by a guide, operator or visitor will result in immediate withdrawal of access, signalling a new zero-tolerance stance toward non-compliance.
In place of self-driving, About Africa Co is rolling out an expanded guided 4x4 excursion system described as a “seamless hop-on/hop-off experience.”
Purpose-built safari vehicles, 4x4 Coaster buses and VW Caravelles will operate daily from 07:00 to 17:00, with extended hours available on request.
Both open and closed safari vehicles will be available, and air-conditioned options will cater to summer heat.
Pricing has also been confirmed.
For 2025, adults will pay N$200 and children under the age of 12 years N$100, while fees will increase to N$260 for adults and N$130 for children in 2026.
Registered guides will travel free of charge. Pre-bookings can already be made via phone or email, and an online booking system is expected to launch soon.
Several new facilities will support the transition, according to Dörgeloh.
He said that from 15 December 2025, a dedicated ticket sales counter will operate at the tourism ministry’s gate, supported by a new refreshment lounge at the 2x4 parking area.
An integrated online platform will streamline both excursions and, eventually, park permit sales. The company also announced future premium offerings, including fly-in day trips, concierge-style transfers and curated overnight excursions.
For thousands of annual visitors who value the freedom of navigating Sossusvlei’s dunes at their own pace, the new rules will represent a significant loss. The self-drive route through the soft-sand corridor has long been a hallmark adventure for travellers seeking a sense of independence and desert challenge. But concession managers insist that unmanaged private traffic is no longer compatible with the area’s ecological vulnerability.
As the 15 December cut-off approaches, travellers planning trips for the 2025/2026 season will need to adapt their expectations.
The tourism ministry said it would issue a comprehensive statement regarding this announcement, but by the time of going to print, no statement had been received.
Tour operators have expressed concern about this announcement, highlighting the cost and affordability that this will have for tourists.
They also pointed out that international tourists plan and budget their trips well ahead of time, and that this will now be an added cost for them if they were planning to visit Sossusvlei.
About Africa Co, through Adelt Sossusvlei Concession Management, is implementing the next phase of their Concession Agreement with the tourism ministry to ensure sustainable tourism and proper protection of this World Heritage Site.
The announcement, issued by About Africa Co in a firm industry briefing, marks the end of an era for independent visitors who for decades have ventured into the final stretch leading to Deadvlei, Big Mamma and Sossusvlei under their own steam.
The new rules—described as both sweeping and non-negotiable—stem from the company’s 2024 Concession Agreement with the tourism ministry.
Under this agreement, About Adelt Sossusvlei Concession Management (Pty) Ltd holds exclusive access and excursion rights inside the sensitive 4x4 zone of the UNESCO-listed landscape.
Founder and CEO of About Africa Co., Heiko Dörgeloh, said in a statement that no private vehicles will be permitted to proceed past the 2x4 parking area from mid-December onward. The restriction is being positioned as a necessary intervention to protect the fragile dune corridor, which has suffered years of unmanaged traffic, off-track driving and growing congestion during peak seasons.
According to Dörgeloh, the ban aligns with the tourism ministry’s conservation management plan and is part of a broader effort to stabilise dune degradation and minimise human impact in Namibia’s most photographed desert destination.
While self-drivers will be fully phased out, certain operators will retain limited access.
Lodges located inside the Sossusvlei area may continue transporting their own guests into the concession, and Namibia Tourism Board (NTB)-registered tour operators will be permitted to escort their travellers during a temporary grace period that will be reviewed regularly.
Dörgeloh, however, said that any misconduct or damaging behaviour by a guide, operator or visitor will result in immediate withdrawal of access, signalling a new zero-tolerance stance toward non-compliance.
In place of self-driving, About Africa Co is rolling out an expanded guided 4x4 excursion system described as a “seamless hop-on/hop-off experience.”
Purpose-built safari vehicles, 4x4 Coaster buses and VW Caravelles will operate daily from 07:00 to 17:00, with extended hours available on request.
Both open and closed safari vehicles will be available, and air-conditioned options will cater to summer heat.
Pricing has also been confirmed.
For 2025, adults will pay N$200 and children under the age of 12 years N$100, while fees will increase to N$260 for adults and N$130 for children in 2026.
Registered guides will travel free of charge. Pre-bookings can already be made via phone or email, and an online booking system is expected to launch soon.
Several new facilities will support the transition, according to Dörgeloh.
He said that from 15 December 2025, a dedicated ticket sales counter will operate at the tourism ministry’s gate, supported by a new refreshment lounge at the 2x4 parking area.
An integrated online platform will streamline both excursions and, eventually, park permit sales. The company also announced future premium offerings, including fly-in day trips, concierge-style transfers and curated overnight excursions.
For thousands of annual visitors who value the freedom of navigating Sossusvlei’s dunes at their own pace, the new rules will represent a significant loss. The self-drive route through the soft-sand corridor has long been a hallmark adventure for travellers seeking a sense of independence and desert challenge. But concession managers insist that unmanaged private traffic is no longer compatible with the area’s ecological vulnerability.
As the 15 December cut-off approaches, travellers planning trips for the 2025/2026 season will need to adapt their expectations.
The tourism ministry said it would issue a comprehensive statement regarding this announcement, but by the time of going to print, no statement had been received.
