Sossusvlei - Dune 45 and Dead Vlei

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This was something that we've been looking forward to ever since we booked this trip over a year and a half ago. Thankfully, it lived up to our greatest expectations. We arrived at the famous 'Dune 45' (which everyone climbs) and started up it for sunrise. Climbing a sand dune is a lot harder than it looks. It's deceptive how large the dune actually is and in the initial excitement we basically ran until we got a few steps in and realized our legs couldn't hold us up anymore. We decided to stop just below the peak and enjoy the sunrise rather than exhaust ourselves pushing for the top and potentially missing the moment. Then we had a blast as we slid down the side of the massive dune (much more fun than going back the way we came).

After a quick breakfast at the base of the dune, we set off for the Sossusvlei oasis and Dead Vlei. The pictures tell the story here. Thankfully, there are regular shuttles that cover the 5km distance to the trail head for Dead Vlei. That way we could enjoy the sites and photo ops without killing ourselves in the desert heat.

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Photos

Kathie sliding down
What fun is a huge sand dune if you can't slide down.

Desert scape
Along the hike to Dead Vlei.

People train
This group missed the sunrise.

Comments

[aroun]

...... dead vlei ? no-no, very much alive in ur pics
Hey, those were some really super pics with terrific composition. We lived in a place called ladakh in india with similar landscapes. Now live in East Africa and love the landscapes here too. You guys must have really had fun. Aroun