Sesriem is clearly signposted 12km southwest along the C27 from its junction with the C36. The best, easiest, and cheapest way to see the area is with your own car – so the vast majority of visitors drive. There is no public transport, and whilst hitching is possible it is difficult, as there are many possible routes here. (This also makes it easier to get away than to arrive.)

There's also a shuttle bus that links Namib-Naukluft Lodge with Windhoek and Swakopmund. This lodge runs day-trips into Sesriem and Sossusvlei which cost about N$300 per person.

Along similar lines, it's possible to fly by light aircraft into Sossusvlei Lodge or Wolwedans , from which there are guided tours around the area – though neither is a cheap option.

Best routes
The quickest route from Windhoek is normally south on the B1, then west on the C47 just after Rehoboth to Rietoog, right on to the D1206 to Büllsport (where the guest farm makes a good overnight stop if you're just off a plane). Then continue on the D854, almost in the shadow of the Naukluft Mountains, right on to the C36 and then left for 12km to Sesriem. This takes about four and a half hours.

The most spectacular route from Windhoek is via the C26, followed by the steep Spreetshoogte pass on the D1275 – which could easily be a six-hour drive. Swartfontein Lodge is the obvious stopover en route.

Approaching from Keetmanshoop, taking the main tar road to Maltahöhe is best, followed by the obvious C36, whilst from Lüderitz, Sesriem is really too far for comfort in one day. A stopover would be wise. This approach does allow you to take the D707 and the C27, which can both be slow going, but are certainly amongst the most spectacular roads in the subcontinent – with desert sands to their west, and mountain ranges on the east.

From Swakopmund, it is quickest to drive south to Walvis Bay and then take the C14, via the Kuiseb River's canyon. Allow at least four hours for this – more if you want to drive leisurely and stop for a picnic.

Rainy season access
For a few days each year, rain causes rivers to wash across certain roads – making them difficult, or impossible, to cross.

The D854 is often badly affected, having three or more rivers flowing across it, fed by rains that fall on the Naukluft Mountains. The third of these, nearest Sesriem, usually seems the deepest – though this does depend on where the rain falls in the mountains.

Similarly, the Tsauchab River (which flows through Sesriem Canyon, and on to Sossusvlei) crosses the C36 between its junctions with the D854 and C27. It also crosses the C27 south of Sesriem (but north of the turn-off to Kulala). Both these river crossings look very wide, but are usually shallow and can be crossed with care in a normal 2WD.

If you anticipate problems, then approaching from Maltahöhe, on the C36, is probably the safest route – though it's a long way around from Windhoek. It is vital to ask reliable local advice before you set off.