Sossusvlei & Big Daddy★★★
Sossusvlei is actually a clay pan (Vlei = flat pan), into which the ephemeral Tsauchab River flows after rare rains. When that happens (perhaps every few years), a shallow lake forms, reflecting the orange-red dunes — a sight that surpasses any imagination.
The mightiest dune here is Big Daddy — at over 325 meters one of the highest sand dunes in the world. The ascent over the sharp ridge takes 1.5–2 hours and is extremely strenuous: For every step up, you slide half a step back. But from the top, you see the entire sea of dunes to the horizon — and look directly down onto the Deadvlei.
The descent is the highlight: Simply run down the dune — the soft sand cushions every step, and you're down in a few minutes, where it took hours on foot.
Achtung
Climb Big Daddy only early in the morning! From 9 a.m., the heat in the sand becomes unbearable. Bring at least 2 liters of water per person, a sun hat, and sunscreen are mandatory. No shade, no escape.
