Dune 45 Sossusvlei

The dune is tall and looks beautiful from the outside. Climbing up is a bit strenuous, but the view from the top is absolutely stunning. If you’re already in Sossusvlei, you should definitely stop by—you won’t regret it.

Access into the National Park ONLY THROUGH SESRIEM. Google Maps will guide you wrong if you’re driving from the East. We lost hours driving down private roads with gates padlocked at the end. As per the dune: amazing views, good parking for 2x4 cars (no deflating of tires necessary) and 4x4 of course.

It was a truly stunning morning hike. I would definitely recommend taking it before tackling the Big Daddy Dune.

If you’re thinking of staying overnight in the park to watch sunrise on this dune, think twice about how badly you really want this. We slept in the car at the campsite because the lodges had prices around 300£ for poor conditions and we left in the dark to this dune. Then we started climbing with everyone and I literally almost passed out from the exertion. It’s a very high dune and you need to walk up it for 20-30 minutes to sit and watch the sun. Honestly there was no incredible WOW moment, just chest pain from shortness of breath. So if you’re not an Olympic athlete don’t do this. You can easily climb a bit later when 50 people aren’t going up simultaneously and you can take rest breaks.

Dune 45 is the most famous and recognisable in Sossusvlei. Its fascinating shape and accessibility make it the most photographed dune in the world. Recommended for sunrise, as you can see the dune's changing colours—from orange to red. The dune is 170 meters high, and from the top, there is an incredible view of the entire area. I recommend climbing the dune and then descending the other side—then you can see the entire area from a different perspective. The orange colour of the sand is caused by iron oxide, while the black areas of the dunes are composed of magnetite. Is a fantastic place, and climbing it is a must-do

We walked up the dune's ridge to watch to the sunrise. It's about a 30 min drive from the gate. We walked up it in about 30 mins, our youngest (6) flew up it. Climbing in moving sand isn't the nicest experience, but the view at the top and watching the kids play on the dune was well worth it. We also spotted lots of beetles and a few shovel nosed lizards on the climb up. We walked into the col between Dune 45 and star dune and we were completely on our own in the dunes. We walked off here by contouring down the side of dune 45 to the carpark to avoid the folks climbing up the ridge.

Dune 45 in Sossusvlei is one of the most iconic sand dunes in the Namib Desert. Located just 45 kilometers from the Sesriem gate, it rises majestically to about 80 meters and offers an inviting climb to its peak. The early morning light transforms the dune into a masterpiece of colors, with warm reds and oranges glowing against the deep shadows. The fine, iron-rich sand feels cool and soft underfoot during sunrise and begins to warm quickly as the day progresses. From the top, the panoramic view of the surrounding dunes and the vast desert floor is breathtaking. The silence of the landscape is only broken by the whisper of wind shifting the sand. Dune 45’s accessibility and unique shape make it a favorite for photography, especially during the golden hours. Whether sitting quietly at the top or taking photos from below, the dune leaves a lasting impression of the timeless beauty of Sossusvlei.

Beautiful red sand dune which is great for photography. Come during sunrise or late afternoon closer to sunset to have best colour. Also great to take with the tree trunks below the sand dune