Tips and Advice for Climbing Sand Dune 45 in Namibia

On Top of Dune 45

Dune 45 in Namibia is one of the star attractions in the country.  Thanks in part to its proximity to the road through the desert, Dune 45 offers visitors an opportunity to climb a sand dune and take in the spectacular desert scenery.

It is all well and good that it is recommended to climb this sand dune, but there are a few special considerations to keep in mind before ascending.

Climbing Dune 45 is not for the faint of heart.

📍 Climbing Dune 45 in Namibia – Quick Tips

  • Start Early: The sand dunes in Namibia can get quite hot (always hike on the dark side), so it is best to begin your hike before sunrise if you can- if you go early enough you may be able to see the sun crest over the horizon, too
  • Take Your Shoes Off: It may sound counterintuitive, but climbing a sand dune with shoes on can be quite challenging, so taking your shoes off makes the climb easier
  • Don’t Forget Water: The dune looks easily climbable from the parking area, but it is much more difficult than it looks- take water and snacks as it is quite the climb

Looking to reserve an apartment in Namibia? Click here to book.

Read more

Etosha National Park’s Most Amazing Watering Hole

The only other guests at today's show.Namibia has been one of those countries where we arrived with few expectations and left with more wonderful memories than we even thought possible.  Our reason for traveling to this destination was to climb the famous Dune 45 and see the trees at the Deadvlei clay pan, but one particular watering hole at Etosha National Park in northern Namibia had us raving for the rest of the journey.

Why is that?

Well, if we didn’t know any better it would be easy to think that the 60 minute show we witnessed was a choreographed production for our eyes only.  Just about every major animal from the park made its appearance at the watering hole in turn, and halfway through vanished for no visible reason.  Something was coming, and a large elephant appeared in the distance as it made its way to the watering hole.

The animals slowly returned, and all coexisted in wonderful harmony around one gorgeous spot.

This photo essay shares some of our favorite shots from this encounter.

Read more