The crest is narrow enough that you place one foot behind the other. To your left the sand falls away into the sun, to your right it still lies in shadow and stays cool. Every step slides back a little, and the summit has looked equally far away for the past half hour. Big Daddy is not a walk, it is a question of patience.
- Height above the pan
- 325 to 380 m
- Ascent
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- Descent into Deadvlei
- about 10 minutes
- Type of dune
- Star dune
How high the dune actually is, the sources cannot agree. German Wikipedia gives more than 380 metres above the pan, English Wikipedia and NASA say 325 metres, others land at 350. What is certain is that it is the highest dune in the area and among the highest anywhere. The claim you find in travel blogs, that it is the highest dune in the world, is simply wrong.
The reward does not come at the top. From the summit you run straight down the steep face into Deadvlei, and the sand takes every step softly. What cost you two hours going up takes barely ten minutes coming down. Local people also call the dune Crazy Dune.
- Time needed
- three to four hours including the way back
- Cost
- covered by the park entry fee
- When
- right after sunrise, never from late morning on
- From Sesriem gate
- 65 km, 75 minutes
Our tipCarry at least two litres of water and set off the moment the inner gate opens. From nine in the morning the sand is too hot for bare feet and the climb turns dangerous.
Big Daddy: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb Big Daddy?
Most visitors need one and a half to two hours to climb Big Daddy at Sossusvlei, because the sand gives way under every step. Coming down the steep face into Deadvlei takes only about ten minutes.
How high is Big Daddy really?
The figures differ: sources give anything between 325 and 380 metres above the pan, with 325 and 350 metres quoted most often. Big Daddy is the highest dune at Sossusvlei, but not the highest in the world.
Is Big Daddy the same as Crazy Dune?
Yes. Crazy Dune is a local nickname for Big Daddy at Sossusvlei, not a second dune.
Can you climb Big Daddy without a guide?
Yes, climbing Big Daddy is free and needs no guide. What it does need is water, solid shoes and an early start, because there is no shade anywhere on the dune.