Sesriem | |
|---|---|
 Sesriem Canyon | |
  Sesriem | |
| Coordinates:24°31′07″S15°6′00″E / 24.51861°S 15.10000°E /-24.51861; 15.10000 | |
| Country |  Namibia |
| Region | Hardap Region |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (South African Standard Time) |
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Sesriem is a small settlement in theNamib Desert, in theHardap Region ofNamibia, close to the southern end of theNaukluft Mountains. It is especially known because the "Sesriem gate" is the main access point to theNamib-Naukluft National Park for visitors entering the park to visit the nearby tourist attraction ofSossusvlei.[1] As many "settlements" in the Namib, Sesriem is essentially afilling station with basic services such as public telephones and a couple of smallkiosks where travellers can get general supplies such as food and water.[2] In the surroundings of Sesriem there are several accommodation establishments, such as a few lodges (e.g., "Le Mirage Desert" and the "Sossusvlei Lodge") and 24 campsites.[2]
At the Sesriem gate,hot air balloons depart in the early morning, providing scenic flights over the Sossusvlei dunes.
Sesriem is also known for theSesriem Canyon, about 4 km from Sesriem itself, which is the second most important tourist attraction in the area after Sossusvlei. It is a natural canyon carved by theTsauchabriver in the localsedimentary rock, about one kilometre (5⁄8 mi) long and up to 30 metres (100 ft) deep. The nameSesriem isAfrikaans and means "six rawhide thongs",[3] given by settlers on theDorsland Trek[4] who had to join six such thongs in order for a bucket to reach the water. Sesriem Canyon is only two metres (6.5 feet) wide in some places, and has a portion that permanently contains water, where many animals go to drink.
