The Deadvlei (vlei - Afrikaans for depression) is an enclosed clay pan surrounded by sand dunes of the Namib Desert. Characteristic of the Deadvlei are many dead camel thorn trees that died when the Tsauchab ephemeral river changed its course. Some of these trees are estimated to be over 500 years old. The Deadvlei is part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park and is adjacent to the renowned Sossusvlei, the Narravlei and Hiddenvlei.
At the southeastern edge of the Dead Vlei is the 'Big Daddy Dune', also called 'Crazy Dune'. It is probably the world's highest dune of some 350m in height.