Sossuvlei

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Did you know that the highest sand dunes in the world are found in Namibia? Well neither did we until we started researching for our trip. Now that we have been there ourselves we can honestly say that they are truely awe inspiring. We didn't have our tape measure with us, so we can't confirm that they are the world's tallest, but we can say that the biggest one there is called Big Daddy!

So, it was 400km drive to get there, on dirt roads, in 30+ degree heat in a van with no air conditioning. It was a bit of an epic, but also through epic landscapes. Not many trees, that's for sure! Lots of rock and dry and grass, and, eventually, big red sand dunes. After setting up camp just out side of the start of the dunes we went to the nearest one to watch the sunset. It was incredible with the colours changing as much as at Uluru. Early to bed that night, ready to get up to see the sunrise the next morning.

Up at 5am and the bathrooms are still crowded! Seeing the sunrise from 'Dune 45' (they all have their own numbers) is a popular activity and we would be only one of a few groups there. We drove the 40kms to the dune and started climbing in the pre-dawn light. The sand was cold, and oh-so- soft and fine. Bad news for James' camera when it slipped out of his pocket! (The repair is yet to be affected. Lucky Karen has a camera too) The dune is 130m tall and the climb was tough, but we both made it to the top with the rest of our group in time to see the golden orb pop up over the horizon. I'll let the pictures tell the other few thousand words.

Once down from there it was time for breakfast that our guides had prepared then a short drive down the road to the start of a 5km walk through the dunes to Dead Vlei. The walk was over mostly flat ground, but with the soft and uneven sand it made it tough. There were also a few dunes to scramble up and down, which filled our shoes with sand. Dead Vlei is amazing. Again, the pictures do more than my words could. By the time we left it was starting to get very hot. We spent the afternoon in the pool or in the shade reading as the thermometer continued to climb. In the cool of the afternoon we made a trip to nearby Sesreim Canyon before dinner.

Today was the drive back to Windhoek, along roads so dusty it turned all of the groups hair white! We have had time to clean ourselves and our clothes and tomorrow it is off on another safari tour to Botswana and the Okavango Delta. Stay tuned!!

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Photos

Climbing down from the sunrise
7am. Enough said.

Watching the sunrise
Got up at 4.45am. Left the campsite at 5.15am. Climbed a 130 metre sand dune at 6.15am. Watched the sunrise. Magical? Yes. Sweaty and sandy? Also yes.

DeadVlei
This used to be part of a riverbed until the sand dunes cut it off from the water source. The trees pictured here are about 900 years old.

The sand got everywhere
And I mean everywhere. Sand in places sand should not be.

And this is why.
This is only a small dune. Yes, James did run down a 100 metre dune also.

Comments

[Fiona]

WOW
How wonderful - I am glad that you are having such an amazing time. It has been fun living vicariously as I write exams and reports!!! Lots of love and prayers Fiona -

[Wijnanda and Rene]

True! So true
Well, we did join Karen and James on both trips (Etosha and Sossuvlei) and we totaly agree. It was wonderfull. And the sand was everyware. Were now back in Holland and the sand is still comming out our bags. Have a nice trip guys and we will follow your jouney on this site! Thankx for the lovely time. Your first-class passengers.

[James and Karen]

Thanks Guys!
Thanks for the comment guys. Glad you both made it home safely and hope you can get rid of all the sand while you're both adjusting to work again. See you soon. James and Karen.