很多人去纳米比亚是为了苏丝斯黎Sossusvlei的红沙漠,但如果你人在鲸湾港Walvis Bay,一定要留出两个小时给近在咫尺的7号沙丘Dune 7。这座沙丘海拔高度约383米,是纳米布沙漠中最显眼的地标之一。说真的,它比名声大噪的45号沙丘要高得多,甚至在高度上经常与红沙漠的Big Daddy一争高下。7号沙丘的得名其实非常直观,它是从库伊塞布河Kuiseb River往内陆数过来的第7座沙丘。这里曾是南非国防军锻炼士兵耐力的魔鬼训练场,如今则是旅行者俯瞰大西洋与沙漠交界的绝佳观景台。
7号沙丘最让人心动的一点就是它的可达性。它距离鲸湾港市区仅10公里左右,开车不到15分钟就能从海边的薄雾中穿梭到金黄色的沙海脚下。不像苏丝斯黎那些需要深度自驾才能抵达的秘境,7号沙丘就在公路边上等着你。从地理角度看,这里的沙子由于靠近海岸,受到的氧化作用比内陆稍弱,因此颜色呈现出一种温暖的金黄色,而非苏丝斯黎那种浓烈的铁锈红。这里的沙质极其细软,这种大约5500万年前形成的石英砂在风力作用下不断堆叠,形成了如今这般壮阔的曲线。
这事儿很多人不知道,7号沙丘在过去很长一段时间是免费开放的。但由于游客量激增带来的垃圾和环境压力,纳米比亚环境与旅游部从2022年12月1日开始正式收取入场许可费。目前国际成年游客的门票价格大约是150纳米比亚元,如果是来自南共体国家的游客则是100纳币,本地人50纳币。售票处就在进入沙丘区域的入口,建议大家随身准备好现金,因为那里的刷卡机偶尔会因为信号问题罢工。这笔费用主要用于维护周边的洗手间和烧烤野餐设施,比起动辄几千块的冲沙项目,这150纳币的门票钱花得还是挺值的。
攀登7号沙丘不夸张地说是一场体力和意志的较量。虽然看起来不过几百米,但在流沙上走一步退半步的阻力,会让你的大腿肌肉在十分钟内开始抗议。最折磨人的是所谓的假山顶,当你气喘吁吁以为快要登顶时,翻过去才会发现后面还有一个更高的脊线。普通体力的游客登顶大约需要30到40分钟。到了之后先去售票处换好票,然后尽量选择沿着脊线走,那里的沙子被风吹得比较紧实,走起来相对省力。如果你是在清晨六点半出发,那个点风很大且气温极低,甚至需要抱着热水杯取暖,但等到太阳升起,沙子很快就会变得滚烫。
如果不想体验赤脚踩火炭的感觉,千万避开中午12点到下午4点这段时间。最佳的进山时间是下午5点以后,这时候光线变成柔和的金橘色,整座沙丘的线条被勾勒得极美。站在顶峰你可以看到大西洋的蓝色在地平线上若隐若现,另一侧则是无穷无尽的荒原。除了徒步攀登,沙丘脚下还有私人运营的四轮摩托Quad Biking和滑沙项目。玩滑沙的时候一定要注意保护相机,这里的细沙无孔不入,一旦钻进镜头伸缩缝里,那维修费可就贵了。不少当地人会带着肉和碳在沙丘下的棕榈树荫里野餐,这种生活气息是在其他国家公园里感受不到的。
根据2022年12月起实行的最新政策,国际成年游客进入7号沙丘需支付150纳米比亚元。8至16岁的国际儿童票价为100纳币,8岁以下免费。如果你是自驾前往,通常还需要额外支付约20纳币的车辆入场费,具体以现场公示为准。
关于谁是纳米比亚最高的沙丘一直有争议,官方数据显示7号沙丘约为383米。虽然苏丝斯黎的Big Daddy常被称为最高,但它的实测高度大约在325米左右。由于沙丘高度会随风力堆积动态变化,目前普遍认为7号沙丘在绝对高度上略胜一筹,是名副其实的沙漠巨兽。
最关键的是鞋子。虽然很多人喜欢赤脚感受沙子,但下午的沙温可高达60摄氏度以上,极易烫伤,所以准备一双高帮轻便的徒步鞋很有必要。此外建议带上至少1升的饮用水,虽然往返只有一小时,但在极度干燥的沙漠气候下脱水非常快。最后别忘了防风镜或魔术头巾,山顶的风沙经常大到让人睁不开眼。
Rohit Shinde This place was really nice but it was bit expensive too And we clicked some nice pictures and we came back from there due to we were having less time
Bonganisoul (Gani) Dune 7, is one of the most beautiful wonder of Namibia. The challenge is to go up and reach the top without giving up. Once you reach the top the view is the most scenic and breathtaking view of the Dunes and its surroundings.
M. The staff was kind and helpful. You can pay the etrance fees only cash. There is a free restroom avaliable. I advise you to bring enough drinking water, because you will lose a lot of water during the climb. Take care of the cleanliness of the environment! Don't even accidentally leave waste behind! At the base of the dune 7 are waste collection containers (Place your refuse in the refuse bins.).
kch. writer Incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience. We did the 4-wheeling and the sand boarding. Wow! Pickup from the cruise dock with drop-off. Our tour guide on the dunes, Devin, was so compassionate and knowledgeable. He took plenty of photos and videos of our family. Wicked value with cold drinks and snacks available onsite. Great for families. Do wear your sunscreen, and sunglasses. Don't miss this chance!
Dewald Reinke Dune 7 is a must-visit if you are in the Swakopmund-Walvis Bay area as it is an iconic and beautiful natural wonder to behold. The climb itself isn't too strenuous if you take it slow and start at the longer side from the left of the Dune. It is definitely worth it when you reach the top and are able to take in the amazing views of the surrounding area. It is good to note that there is an entrance fee now for all visitors, even if they don't plan on climbing the dune. When I visited, the fee was N$ 100 per person for those from SADC countries, but I have to say it has contributed to the overall safety of the area. If you aren't planning on climbing the Dune you can still take in it's beauty from the parking area outside the gate. I was however disappointed with the overall cleanliness of the area. The area at ground level of the Dune was dirty with lots of small litter spread around, and the bathrooms were dirty as well. The staff were also very lacklustre. They weren't very helpful or friendly and gave the impression that they didn't really want to be there. Given that an entrance fee is now being charged, I think the staff could do a better job of keeping the area clean. Overall, I would have given Dune 7 a 3 out of 5, however I always enjoy visiting and climbing it and definitely think it is still a must visit.