Sand dune sunrise

      Anyone who has traveled to Namibia before knows that a trip to this country is incomplete without an excursion to the spectacular Sossusvlei dunes. These mountains of sand are famed around the world for their breathtaking beauty and immense height. While the crowds usually arrive at the dunes midday, we wanted to wake up at sunrise and capture the incredible and golden morning light. The contrast between sunlight and shadow on dunes is unmatched, and the dissimilarity between light and dark creates defined lines leading up the crest of the dunes. Watching the morning sun rise above the horizon while being the only person on top of a massive dune in the middle of the Namib Desert was one of the most remarkable travel experiences I have ever had. Looking through my phone screen, I could not believe that the picture I was about to snap was a real landscape, not a Windows wallpaper. My footsteps were the only ones that had been made on this particular dune in a long time, providing me with the proper explorer sensation. Reaching the dunes of Sossusvlei requires at least a one hour drive from the closest lodge (ours) along 65 kilometers of tarred road. The last couple miles of road to gain access to the dunes is a bumpy, sandy road that will make you fly up off your seat at least once. The road is technically open to anyone who is willing to try it, but a shuttle service on dune buggies is recommended. The service is fast, cheap, and regular, with about ten of the buggies waiting to transport tourists like us to the dunes before the sun has even risen. The long journey out to the dunes is well worth your time and patience as the reward at the end is one of the most beautiful places you will ever see.