One of the reasons I had wanted to come to this west African country was to see just how high the renowned sand dunes are. This was the day to do it!
Up before dawn to be among the first travellers through the gates of the National Park with around 70 km to drive to catch the light we wanted. We would stop at Dune 45 if the light seemed right but hoped to get to either Deadvlei or Sissusvlei for the best morning light.
As we drove, the sun rose and the eery outlines of the landscape became clearer: it was only when we drove back to Dead Valley Lodge later that I realised there had been dunes on either side all the way!
A few drivers took their lives and those of their passengers in their hands, flying by in an attempt to be first but our driver was sensible, steady and got us there at just the right time even after converting to 4×4 for the sand road to Sossuvlei.
What was even better was spotting small figures at the top of one of the dunes, the hot sun beating down as they made their way to the top – maybe they were among those who had overtaken us on the road! Looking directly into the sun brought out the different colours of the sand, too. And the ripples as it had been blown by the wind and those footmarks: it will not have been an easy walk!
There were more sights like this throughout the time we spent among the dunes and I found myself constantly reminded that the shapes and size of each dune changes constantly and we need to remember that these are the habitat of all kinds of mini-life that we frequently choose to ignore.
We had the luxury of having Sossusvlei to ourselves: just the six of us and our cameras! The silence was sometimes quite eerie and then, from nowhere, we would hear birdsong: another reminder of the life that was all around us.
Before 7am we had driven the few kilometres back to Deadvlei, the shapes were different again and this time the car park were full and we had to join the others who had made for Deadvlei first.
Travellers encouraged one another along the well trodden track over dunes, up and down, aiming for the famed dead trees of Deadvlei. There were offers of water and general chit-chat as is common among travellers – and these were travellers of all ages exchanging pleasantries as they walked, many stopping for the compulsory selfie along the way, choosing their background carefully, aiming to appear unaffected by the rigours of the walk but probsbly using the opportunity to catch their breath.
I felt a bit disappointed with Deadvlei: it seemed smaller than I had imagined, yet there was something striking about this grey sand among the red.
By 8.30am, we were already feeling we’d done a day’s work and could go back to our comfortable rooms and relax!
There was more to see but that could wait until later. Cameras clicked on the return journey with the dunes now in bright sun and the vast landscape entirely visible as we drove.
Living the Journey 
Great shot of the dune with the footprints. I didnt know dunes had names! Goes to show how much I know. You are seeing some outstanding sites .. keep the commentary coming.
Quite how that handle has come up I have no idea … best wishes, Steve