Tourists planning to visit Sossusvlei in a rental car or private vehicle should be aware of a new access rule coming into effect on 1 May 2026.
What MEFT announced
In a public notice issued on 15 April 2026, Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, or MEFT, announced that self-drive visitors will no longer be allowed beyond the 2x4 parking area on the way to Deadvlei.
From there, transport will be restricted to authorised shuttle services.
Who may operate the shuttle service
Under the new arrangement, shuttle services between the 2x4 parking area and the 4x4 parking area near Deadvlei may only be operated by Grow Namibia Trading, trading as About Africa Sossusvlei Management, and by tour guides employed by lodges within and around the Namib-Naukluft Park who are registered with the Namibia Tourism Board when transporting their own clients.
The notice also states that no other operators will be allowed to provide this service.
What this means for visitors
For people visiting Sossusvlei after 1 May, the practical change is simple. Driving your own vehicle all the way towards Deadvlei will no longer be possible beyond the 2x4 parking area.
Because the gap between the announcement date and implementation is short, some tourists may arrive without realising the rules have changed.
Official source
For further information, please visit the website of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry & Tourism: https://www.meft.gov.na
