Singing dunes
 

I'd follow the coast.

That was my thought, too, Bruce. Either this place is smartening me up or I'm dumbing you down. For both our sakes, I hope it is the former.

I've "flown" over the region in Google Earth, and it's creepy to imagine being on foot there.

I'm shaped like a dune and sing, so...

Most of the moisture places like this ever see is the fog rolling in off the ocean. If you can catch some of that you can drink it. More chance of finding something edible along the beach, even seaweed. But the main thing is if anyone lives anywhere near here, it will be at the shore.

Of course when I choose to head north, the only civilization for 500 miles will be 3 miles south of where I came ashore. Smart, my ass.

here's another blind link

I stayed in that same place -- Rostock Ritz -- near Sossusvlei. The meerkats were very cool. One went with me on an sunset hike for at least two miles.