Blogs from Sossusvlei, Namibia, Africa
April 21st 2012
It is very easy to see why this place is the number one attraction in the country as it was simply magnificent. With all the people we talked to after visiting this place we all agreed that it is very difficult to actually take a bad photo. But one tip, if you decide to camp make sure that you get a place where you can hit your tent pegs in as when we came back from Sossusvlei your tent will be gone like our was. Well all campers had a great laugh about our flying tent in the dunes … it was the main topic for the day :) In fact the weather changes a lot in the day time. It is really windy and you’ll have sand everywhere, and it is unbelievable hot. But the ... read more
August 15th 2011
M – If there is one image that dominates tourism images for Namibia is the Red Dunes at Sossusvlei. There are actually huge sand dunes that stretch up most of the coastline of Namibia but only at Sossusvlei are the sands bright red. It is believed that these sands were deposited here 5 million years ago having been washed down to the sea in the Orange River from the Kalahari. The highest dunes are some 200m high. Guess what, too get the best view you need to climb them! Climbing in sand is exactly what you would think it would be – hard work! Nevertheless we both climbed to the top of Dune45. Dune 45 is gets its name because it is 45km inside the park. The park stretches a further 100+km to the coast. The ... read more
June 26th 2011
You walk into the heart of the African desert surrounded by sand dunes scattering the landscape. The environment is freezing cold and you dehydrate quickly. As the winds pick up you are temporarily blinded by the sand blasting into your face. Your vision clears for a moment as you find yourself gazing up at one of the most spectacular sights in the African Namibian Desert - Dune 45. After waking up at 4am and driving for 3 hours along the trans-Kalahari highway you finally arrive at the Namib Naukluft National Park, home to Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Dune45, and 50,000 Sq. Km of pristine desert begging to be explored. As you hike into the Namibian desert, you walk past blinding white salt pans, apricot colored sand dunes, turquoise desert lakes and the occasional desert scorpion. You stop for ... read more
May 10th 2011
A selection of panoramic photographs, various locations. Photographs on the official Michel Piccaya website: http://watchtheworld.net... read more
February 10th 2011
Today was an awesome day! After one of the best home cooked meals of all time last night, we slept with no AC and survived as it was nice and cool out due to some rain. Wake up was at 5:30am and we left at 6 to start our drive to the Namib Desert. On the way there, we saw all sorts of animals. This primarily takes place early in the morning as once the heat kicks in; most of the animals hang low in the shade somewhere. The Dunes were awesome! We started at Dune 45 which is the closest to the entrance to get a 101 on the Namib Desert. This is the most climbed sand dune in the area. We then got dropped off at a ranger’s station. Here is where Ann and ... read more
December 22nd 2010
Hi everyone! Coming to the end of our time in Namibia now. We will be crossing the Orange River this afternoon and entering South Africa. Have absolutely loved it. I don't think I have been anywhere with more striking landscapes and huge open spaces. The wilderness just goes on forever - we travelled for a whole day through the Namib desert to a place called Solitaire and when we finally got there it was nothing more than a few outhouses. Apt name though…On the plus side there was a larger than life German baker there who made the best apple pie ever! Apparently Ewan MacGregor stopped here for some home baking whilst filming the "Long Way Down" series. We left Swakupmond a few days ago now. Had a really good time there - and yes, the ... read more
October 25th 2010
Swakopmund to Solitaire, This was a day of surprises. We set off early enough, towards our destination of Sesriem, but arrival was just not to be. As we drove away from Swakop and out of the fog, the flat barren land turned into hills of layered rock. First stop in the hills was to photograph a few quiver trees, which have a star shaped leaf. Kayla took advantage of the deep blue sky to indulge in quite a few photos. Next was a stop at a high pass, where we walked a little higher to a nice viewpoint. Richard was in rock-hound heaven. Then we reached the Tropic of Capricorn, and the day all went downhill from there. We got out for the obligatory photos with the sign, only to hear a loud pop as one ... read more
October 25th 2010
Solitaire to Sesriem, Namibia Delay because of the truck breakdown at Solitaire ment that we could not see the Namib desert dunes at dawn. We drove from Solitaire early and arrived at the dunes about 10:00 am. The sun was already beating down. We should have been there at dawn when it was cool. We tried our best to climb up the spine of a dune in soft sand. A beautiful sight - red sand stretching away in all directions. Kayla was bitterly disappointed that the best sun conditions for photography were finished for the day before we arrived and there seemed to be no flexibility in our itinerary to try for a sunrise again. We returned from the walk early and sat in the hot shade waiting for the rest of the group. The 4 ... read more
October 15th 2010
9am arrived with our car - a small VW Golf - at the front of our hostel. I ask Freddy our hired car company guy “What year is it?” He says “Aahhh…2008!” I found it hard to believe as the bonnet didn’t open and power steering was non-existent. I drive off in a stutter, stalling 3 times on my way out of the Namibian coastal town of Swakopmund. I would return two weeks later to what would be one of the great two weeks of my travels. Not only did this country provide consistent amazement via its scenery. It is now officially classed as thedribblemans most photogenic country ever. Namibia’s capital Windhoek is not much really so I headed straight to Swakopmund with my new travel buddy Emarn a New Zealand girl who’s accent was not ... read more
