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Published: April 20th 2012
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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 nights will invite you for coolness.
We are not too sure why they call this whole area Sossusvlei as there is also so much more that just this one sand dune. Once you enter the National Park you drive for 40 odd Km’s with massive sand dunes on each side of you and depending where the sun is they are red on one side
and yellow on the other which makes a magnificent spectacle. Perhaps what is even more interesting than the sand dunes is the ‘death valley’ where we are sure everyone has seen those dead trees standing in what looks like a salt pan with a massive dune behind it. Well this is true but there are several hundred dead trees and many sand dunes all around this salt pan. It was a really strange place.
But what everyone should try and do if they get the chance is get your ass out of bed early and dash to Sossusvlei for the sunrise. Have you ever seen the show ‘Amazing Race’? Well in the morning it does seem like that. The National Park guys have worked it out well so that when the gates open at 5am only the people who paid to stay in the National Park can make it in time to see the sunrise. Waiting at the gate second in queue (we managed to hook a lift the night before) we were soon overtaken by panicking tourists as they rushed towards the inevitable sunrise.
But one thing we didn’t realize is that for the last 5km you
need to have a 4*4 and the two wheel drive would have never made it up that far but still it does not matter which sand dune you are on for the sunrise, the colors changing will still blow your mind.
Another thing that we didn’t realize is that Sossusvlie is bloody high and walking up the rim of that is a mission in itself. Was it worth the hour hike? Absolutely as the 360deg view from the top is what postcards are made of. From here we are surprised we didn’t see our tent flying past also as we could see in the distance towards the National Park entrance where we camped the night.
The nights have been really cold so make sure to have warm sleeping bag and cloth but in the day time it is the opposite – unbearable hot. This is really a real desert experience and don’t get off Namibia before you’ll see this place.
We could go and say so much about this place but if anyone takes the time to go here you will see for yourself you will not be disappointed. Sossusvlei and company well deserve the number one
tourist ranking for Namibia.
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anonymous
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Loved your flying tent story
Sounds like you took the ribbing well. This location is high on our to do list. You've done a very nice job setting the mood for exploring this area. Thanks for you blogs...always enjoy them.