Namib-Naukluft National Park

Namib desert is probably number one attraction in Namibia. The red dunes are the subject on every tourist brochure photos and a visit is in every itinerary of Namibia that travel agencies offer. And I do not wonder why. I was admiring the photos myself and I hardly waited to get there. The Namib is the second largest desert in Africa and it is the part of Namib - Naukluft national park. Most popular place to visit in the park is Sesriem, which is a starting point to the Sossusvlei and Deadvlei areas.

The visit to the dunes usually takes one night in the park or at some of the lodges just outside of it. If you can afford the lodges inside the park I would strongly recommend you to do that. The park gates open at sunrise, but if you stay inside the park you can get to the dunes even earlier. This way you can avoid the crowds and enjoy the tranquillity and vastness of the dunes.

We arrived to Namib desert lodge in the afternoon after a long drive from Damaraland. The sun was already low and I went to the red cliffs to make some landscape shots. I was outside and I was alone. There was a light breeze and the sunlight was pleasantly warm. Unforgettable!

Early in the morning about an hour before the sunrise we departed to the Sesriem. When we entered the park the sun was already up, but there was thick fog. We couldn’t see anything, but fortunately the fog was disappearing and it was creating lovely textures on the dunes.

The famous Dune number 45. This is usually the first stopover for most of the visitors.

Every drop of water counts.

How to climb the dunes? Barefoot!

This little bird was bathing in the sand and cleaning its feathers.

Deadvlei. The most picturesque area of the dunes.

The Namib-Naukluft national park with its red dunes is a wonderful place that will stay in your heart for ever. I promise. It is worth the effort of getting there, waking up in the middle of the night and the costs. But do not forget about basics. This is a desert and this is Africa. Do not forget the sunscreen, plenty of water and a hat. in the morning it might be cold as well, so take something light to wear. Handle your camera with care, because those nasty little sands will get everywhere - even to the places you do not imagine:).

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