Safari Day 9 - Red Dunes of Namibia

Day 9 - Red Dunes of Namibia - Sossusvlei to Deadvlei
0615 was our meeting time on this day as we had to drive 3 km for breakfast and then drive 1/4 mile to the entrance of the park. By the time we had finished breakfast there was already a line of vehicles at the park entrance as they open at sunrise.

Hot air balloon rising with the sun as we drive to Sossusvlei

Once inside we had a 64 km drive on paved road to where the dunes were. We made a number os photo stops along the way and on one of them there was a hot air balloon over the distant dunes which looked really cool and caused me to re-evaluate whether to try it or not. 

Once out at the dunes some elected to pay 100 Rand for a 4X4 ride to the deadvlei area where they still had to walk 1.2 km to get to the site. The rest of the group paid 50 Rand (5 US dollars) for the ride back and set out on foot over the red sand for the dunes.

Misheck calling us together for the 5 km hike

Getting the briefing for the hike.

There were too many photo opportunities along the ways and Mike, Tim and I fell back from the main group who patiently waited for us to catch up a couple of times.

Heading out for the dunes (I added the clouds for effect)

We had been told to wear long shirts and pants, sunscreen and hats for this trip. Closed shoes were a must as the sand would get inside your shoes and be very uncomfortable. Bob elected for the ride as he only had water shoes. We we were also to bring at least 1.5 litres of water as this was going to be a 3 hour hike if you went the whole way.

Springbok tracks

Snow..... or..... Sand......?

As we neared the Deadvlei Mishek informed our group that we could climb the one dune and go down the other side, something we had already done on a much smaller dune. Going down you slide a lot and this is where your shoes get filled up with sand. Thanks (and I mean a BIG thanks to Darlene and Missy for helping me on choosing some great hiking boots and urging me to get some "good" socks as well. I got hardly any sand in my shoes and the socks somehow stayed dry, even tho it was starting to get really hot.

Sue, Terry and Frank led the way up this large dune
Up ahead on the right is the Deadvlei

If you look on the left at the flat plain, you can see people, which should
give a size perspective on these dunes.  300 ft. and higher, they are enormous!

"Look up, look waaaaay up"

Early morning is the only time to climb the dunes, as it gets very hot, very fast.
Early morning makes for some long dramatic shadows, which photographers love!

When we got to the big dune, Tim elected to go with some others for the shortcut rather than attempt the dune. In the end, Terry, Sue, Frank, Mike and I were the only ones who made it to the top. 

It was quite a hike but the view was worth it. Going down to the deadvlei flat was fun and the dead trees were fascinating to view.

On a side note, if a walk on the red dunes of Namibia is not on your bucket list, maybe it should be. 

By the time we made it back to the vehicles that were to take us back to the bus, everyone was very hot, a number were limping a bit (my right knee was getting a bit sore) and Bill's wife Cheryl was suffering from heat exhaustion.

Deadvlei from a plane. It is the large white plain at the bottom centre of the photo above
We walked along the top of the dune directly behind it. 

On the way back we were to go on another hike down some canyon but everyone passed in favour of going back to the tents. Instead we had lunch, photo stop at canyon and then back to tents for cold beer, a sleep or dip in pool for others.

One of my favourite shots in the Deadvlei.

Supper that night was a repeat of the previous evening and we were back to tents by 9:30 pm.

The location of our dinner and breakfast