Magical sunrise at Dune 45

Sunrise view at Dune 45, Sossusvlei

Dune 45 Video Footage

Where did Dune 45 get its name from?

Dune 45 is named after its location; it is 45 km away from the Sesriem Canyon.

The sand dune lies along the gravel road that connects Sesriem to Sossusvlei.

How high is Dune 45?

Dune 45 stands at over 170 m (560 feet), which is pretty decent especially when you have to climb it in order to admire the magnificent sunshine! 🙂

In the area though, some sand dunes – such as “Big Daddy” – culminate at over 300 m above sea level, which makes them amongst the highest in the world.

How old is the sand on Dune 45, and where does it come from?

Some of Dune 45’s sand is over 5 million years old, most of it coming from the Kalahari Desert and even from as far as northern Mozambique.

The sand was transported by the Orange River and blown away by the wind to its present location.

When is it the best time to visit Dune 45?

Visiting the dune at dawn is a local favourite, yet in the end it depends on what you’re after. Late afternoons are also impeccable for photo opportunities.

Make sure you get there by 5 am to get to the top on time for the sunrise. 😉

How long does it take to climb to the top of Dune 45?

20-40 minutes depending on how sporty you are, and also depending on how many people are in front of you. 🙂

NB: It is recommended to remove your shoes when climbing the dune, or they will get filled with “lots” of sand (whether you like it or not).

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