One of the most epic travel plans while visiting Namibia is to climb Dune 45 in the morning to watch a sunrise. That is followed by a visit to Sousseveli and Deadvlei which are unworldly desertscapes.
about dune 45
Dune 45 is sand only and it is about 550 feet high. Depending on how many times you stop to take photos and rest it can take about 25 minutes to 1 hour to reach the top. It can be busy so it is best to go early. It is safe to leave your shoes at the bottom to climb up. It will be chilly in the dark but as soon as the sun starts to rise it will become hot. Make sure to have layers for the hike in the morning and then be prepared to ditch them for your exploration of the area after. It is a popular spot but for good reason. You won’t regret it.
our dune 45 debacle
Our experience was like no other. If you read other blogs you will know it can be chilly but most of the time is beautiful and clear. We got there very early and it was still dark. We left our shoes at the bottom which I would advise to climb up the dune. Sand gets through shoes so easily and makes it cumbersome to walk. We had climbed to the top capturing some epic pictures and were sitting awaiting the sun to rise.
Then, the weather turned in an instant. Suddenly, a windstorm started blowing up the sand. Being pelted by sand can be unpleasant but then it started raining. Cold wet sand was hitting us all from different angles. Many in our group started rolling down the hill in attempts to seek refuge from the wind and rain. Anyways most pictures you see have crystal clear skies and ours are more dramatic and that is for good reason since it was a drama filled experience.
Our tour guide swore that he hadn’t seen that occur in his 10 plus years of doing the tour. Thomas vows there were ants biting his feet at the bottom but I didn’t experience this. Let’s just say it wasn’t his favorite experience. In an instant the clouds cleared and the sun was up. An experience we will never forget.
