Trek the Sand Dunes in Namibia

You’ll arrive in Namibia near the harsh Namib Desert. You’ll make your way from the airport to Walvis Bay, where you’ll start your journey tomorrow.

You’ll start your trip strong by climbing Dune 7, the tallest dune in the whole country. It’s over 1,200 feet tall and quite a challenge. You’ll start very early in the morning before the sun gets too hot. It’ll take you about two hours to get to the top and only a few seconds to slide down.

Now, you’ll get a chance to sandboard on the dunes! It’s like surfing, but, obviously, you’re using the sand. You’ll have an instructor show you how it’s done, and then it’ll be your turn. You have the choice to stand up or ride on your stomach, so don’t be too worried!

This morning, you’ll take a short drive and arrive in Namib-Naukluft National Park, the largest game park in Africa and the fourth largest in the world. The park is where you’ll volunteer! You’ll work with park rangers by putting up cameras or doing game counts to help keep tabs on the animals and keep them safe.

You’ll start the day by climbing another dune! This one’s called Dune 45, and it’s one of the most commonly climbed in the area. The sand is fine, so you’ll sink into it, so keep your balance! You’ll go to the dune in the early morning, so you beat the large crowds.

Next, you’ll visit Deadvlei, a clay pan that’s an iconic landmark of the area. You could probably see it from afar up on the dune. Deadvlei has petrified trees that make it look very different from the desert around it. 

Afterward, you’ll be served some authentic potjiekos for dinner. It’s a meat and vegetable stew that’s prepared over an open fire for 3 to 4 hours. Enjoy!

Since you’re in the largest game park in Africa, it’s time to see some animals! There are many creatures here, including 340 species of birds and endless reptiles. Some of the most exciting animals you might see include oryx, kudu, giraffe, springbok, black-backed jackals, African wild cats, aardvarks, and leopards. Your tour guide will tell you about these animals and what you can do to help them thrive in spite of climate change and poaching.

It’s your last day in Namibia, but you won’t be disappointed by today’s plans. Your first destination is Sossusvlei. It’s an impressive pan set among the enormous red sand dunes. During a particularly rainy season, water fills the pan, giving it an amazing contrast with its arid setting.

Lastly, it’s time to climb Big Daddy Dune. It’s 1,066 feet tall, much taller than the more popular Dune 45 you climbed earlier. Just because other tourists are scared doesn’t mean you should be! It’ll take you about 2 hours of endurance to get to the top. Savor the view before you run down, feeling the wind in your hair.

Your time in Namibia might be at an end, but there are still things you can do! Do something to help the animals in Africa when you get home, and don’t forget how brave you were to climb up those sand dunes!