Some places on Earth are ancient, and among the oldest is the dry desert country of Namibia.
The Namib Desert has existed for at least 55 million years, and along its coast are some of the biggest dunes in the world. At a glance these vast sands are both fine and eerie to look at.
The climate here is unusual. Drive from inland Namibia to the dune coast and you meet a rush of cold air. The desert gets fog on about 180 days a year, and this is what keeps its plants and animals alive; there is almost no rain, yet wildlife survives.
For all that, what really sets the Namib apart are its huge dunes, found nowhere else on this scale. Standing high on one, with the whole desert laid out below, is a thrill, and the dunes draw thousands of visitors a year to climb them and slide back down.
Whether you go by road or by helicopter, the dunes of Namibia are worth a place on your list. They look like something out of a storybook, and they carry some of the most curious names you will find. Here are five of the best known.
1. Dune 45
Dune 45 lies in the Sossusvlei area of the Namib. The dunes here are known as star dunes.
They are called star dunes because the wind reaches them from all directions, giving them a star shape and keeping them more or less in place.
Dune 45 stands over 170 metres and is made of sand around 5 million years old. It is named for its position at the 45th kilometre of the road between the Sesriem Gate and Sossusvlei. The sand is red from iron oxide, and its colour shifts through the day with the light, which makes it the most photographed dune in the Namib. Visitors can climb it for sunrise and sunset, and the climb is worth it for the wide views over the valley.
2. Big Daddy
One of the tallest dunes in Sossusvlei is Big Daddy, rising a full 325 metres and dwarfing those around it. It stands between Deadvlei and Sossusvlei, its name a nod to its height.
Many decide not to climb it simply because it is such hard work, but those who reach the top are rewarded. The view takes in the whole of Deadvlei, with its ancient dead camel-thorn trees standing on the pan. Carry plenty of water for the trek. The climb takes about two hours, though you can come down in about five minutes by sliding.
3. Big Mama
Giving Big Daddy some competition is Big Mama, about 650 feet high, a dune overlooking a salt-and-clay pan ringed by red dunes.
Big Mama is in the southern Namib, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Its slopes are gentler than Big Daddy’s, so the climb is easier.
The wind constantly reshapes the dunes here, so Big Mama’s slope is always shifting. The red sand catching the light is a fine sight, but it is the view from the top that makes the climb, with Sossusvlei laid out below.
4. Dune 7
Dune 7, in the Namib near Walvis Bay, is well known worldwide. It stands over 388 metres, or 1,256 feet, one of the highest dunes in Namibia. It is said to be named Dune 7 as the seventh dune reached along the route from a nearby river.
Dune 7 is a favourite with locals and visitors alike, an adventurous climb with fine views from the top over the town and the ocean. If you would rather not climb, you can take a quad bike around it, or try sandboarding. There are restaurants near the dune for lunch afterwards.
5. Elim Dune
Another red dune worth visiting is Elim Dune, 5 kilometres from the Sesriem Gate, tall and set apart from the rest. It takes its name from a farm that stood here before the national park was created.
Close to the Sesriem campsite, Elim Dune is easily reached by a 2WD vehicle and makes for a pleasant morning or afternoon walk. It is one of the best places to watch the Namib sunset, with views of the surrounding Namib-Naukluft mountains and the Tsauchab River below.
Namibia is a special place to visit, home to the oldest desert known, and its dunes are not to be missed. Give them a try on your next trip.
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