There are a number of trails in the Northern Cape offering real dune driving. If you only ever get the chance to do one of them, make sure it’s Trans Boegoe. There are four trails to choose from - totalling over 100 km of off-road driving – much of that in thick, red Kalahari sand. A good one to start off with is the Kalahari Seekoeibaard Sand Route, a 28-km circular trail that takes in some of the best dunes on the farm. You have to get there first though, and that involves a rocky climb over the Boegoeberg Mountains - which is a bit slow and tedious. Just when you’re beginning to wonder if you’re possibly on the wrong route, you round a corner and see your first sand dune. The Kalahari Desert is not like the Namib or the Sahara, so don’t expect a sea of rolling sand dunes. ‘Thirstland’ is a better way to describe it, and indeed much of the landscape is covered by grasses and small trees. Sand driving is tons of fun, but it takes a while to get used to and beginners often find themselves getting bogged down. Thankfully the route starts off quite easily, giving you a chance to familiarise yourself with the terrain before hitting you with the serious stuff. Even so, you’ll want to let down your tyre pressure as soon as you reach the sand – rather now when you’re on a level patch than half-way up a dune later on! All the dunes have name signs, and these can be a good indication of what to expect ... be prepared for a surprise on 'Skrikduin'. A good picnic spot can be found at the aptly named 'Dikeetduin', where a simple netting lapa and braai spot have been set up (there is no other shade on the route, so this is the place to stop if you want to have lunch). The Seekoeibaard Trail was at one stage affiliated with the Witsand Nature Reserve trails. It was a Top 10 trail in 2006. See also: Kalahari Seekoeibaard 4x4 and Kalahari Witsand 4x4 Trails