Mon Jul 27 2026
Sossusvlei and Deadvlei
This is Namibia. Sand dunes and sunrises
An early wake up (05:00 alarm) and in the queue to get into the park by 06:15. We were fifth in the queue and as soon as the gates opened, it was full steam foot on the gas. Belting along at 100kph (speed limit 60kph!) to try and reach the dunes before sunrise.
A few hairy moments on the tarmac lead into some technical off road sand 4x4 driving, maintaining the speed in order to not get stuck. We made it, and set off towards Deadvlei before Isla persuaded us to trek up the ridge line of the dune (Big Mamma).
Definitely the correct decision. We were half way up when the sun popped up to say hello. It was amazing observing the speed of the Earth’s rotation in real time.
A bit more trekking then a much faster descent, straight down the side of the dune into the Deadvlei pan at the bottom.
This place was unreal. Caused by ancient waterways drying up and leaving trees with zero moisture, some over 1000 years old, and a photographer’s paradise, with dead trees, white mud and bright orange dunes.
We spent a couple of hours wandering around, dodging the other tourists (many Chinese posing for Instagram shots and plenty of pic pics, and pic pic pics!). We headed back to the campsite to chill (cursing the lack of pool) then set out for sunset at dune 45. We joined plenty more tourists there and enjoyed a spectacular sunset!
