# Sesriem

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**Sesriem** is a small settlement in the [Namib Desert](/source/Namib_Desert), in the [Hardap Region](/source/Hardap_Region) of [Namibia](/source/Namibia), close to the southern end of the [Naukluft Mountains](/source/Naukluft_Mountains). It is especially known because the "Sesriem gate" is the main access point to the [Namib-Naukluft National Park](/source/Namib-Naukluft_National_Park) for visitors entering the park to visit the nearby tourist attraction of [Sossusvlei](/source/Sossusvlei).[1] As many "settlements" in the Namib, Sesriem is essentially a [filling station](/source/Filling_station) with basic services such as public telephones and a couple of small [kiosks](/source/Kiosk) 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](/source/Hot_air_balloon) depart in the early morning, providing scenic flights over the Sossusvlei dunes.

## Sesriem Canyon

Sesriem is also known for the **Sesriem 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 the [Tsauchab](/source/Tsauchab) [river](/source/Wadi) in the local [sedimentary rock](/source/Sedimentary_rock), about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) long and up to 30 metres (100 ft) deep. The name *Sesriem* is [Afrikaans](/source/Afrikaans) and means "six rawhide thongs",[3] given by settlers on the [Dorsland Trek](/source/Dorsland_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.

## References

1. [Sesriem Canyon, Namibia](http://www.namibia-1on1.com/sesriem-canyon.html)

1. ["Sesriem"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150109042039/http://www.namibian.org/travel/lodging/sesriem.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.namibian.org/travel/lodging/sesriem.html) on 2015-01-09. Retrieved 2010-12-24.

1. ["Sesriem Canyon"](http://sossusvlei.com/en/surroundings/sesriem-canyon/). sossusvlei.com. Retrieved 15 September 2013.

1. ["The Dorsland Trekkers"](http://www.tourbrief.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2327). tourbrief.com. Retrieved 25 June 2010.

## Resources

- [More information and photos of Sesriem Canyon](http://www.sossusvlei.org/attractions/sesriem-canyon/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sesriem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesriem) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesriem?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.