Sossusvlei & Sesriem

Haven eaten and drunk our fill in Swakopmund and delighted in the multitude of cafes well stocked supermarkets (proof of levels of enjoyment is that I actually popped a button on my trousers after having consumed an enormous oryx steak!), we headed south into the desert and dunes of the amazing Namib-Naukluft Park. The scenery was really spectacular with the red dunes majestically rising out of the earth, the light and shadow dancing on their constantly changing coloured slopes. With the pervasive wind and sand’s innate ability to get on any surface and into every crevice and be carried away by visiting tourists, it is hard to believe any dunes exist at all. We explored some of the dunes and took many more photos until our cameras started making funny got-sand-inside kind of noises.

One ‘must do’ in Sossusvlei is to head up Dune 45 and watch the sunset or sunrise from the top ridge. We have no clue as to why it is called Dune 45 - perhaps because it is between equally imaginatively named Dune 44 and Dune 46 and has close access to the roadside. Whatever the case it has great views over the surrounding plains and dunes. Staggered up the hill and must admit almost gave up as it was such hard work, however had met a 71 year the previous day so decided if she could do it, so could I!! Trudi crawled up again. Sunset was pretty but not the reddest or the most spectacular that we’d seen. The best part was actually the joy of running down the dune plunging almost knee deep into the sand along the way.

Bushcamp following night was at the nicest spot with a lake and hills, reeds and rocks all reflected in the cooling water. Braved sleeping outside for the first time (outside malaria danger zone) as was a clear and windless night. Also my solo tent efforts the previous night had failed me and I'd had half of it fall on me in the high winds… Glad that I had the experience of laying all cosy in my sleeping bag next to the crackling fire and gazing up at the millions of twinkling African stars (useless fact: the southern cross is upside down here and goes down during the night, not up). Didn’t sleep too well as was next to several serious snorers and despite close proximity to the fire was also a very cold night!