 | Namib-Naukluft Park Things To Do | Tips 11 - 20 of 79 |  |
Popular Things To Do | Other Things To Do Tips | All Tips (79) Sunrise over the dunes is truly unforgettable, and a good enough reason to wake up early in the desert's cold mornings :-) It is especially nice in the Namib, as since it is a very old desert the sand is oxidised to a deep orange colour, especially apparent and at its most beautiful in the dawn's sun rays - especially in this quiet, remote atmosphere. The early hours are also a great time to be hanging around because the desert animals are out and about at that time. Expect to see at least Ostriches and Springboks, and maybe Gemsbok (Oryx). Leave a Comment Directions: Best to see on the road leading from Sesriem to Sussusvlei. Mind you that the sun will be BEHIND you so keep an eye to the rear!!
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This is the most photographed dune in the Sussusvlei area .... or maybe in the whole of Namibia. It is definitely quite photogenic, with its wonderful curves playing with the light, especially at sunrise. Many people who visit also like to climb the dune, which is not as easy as it looks as for each step you make upwards you fall 2 back :-) But the view from the top is definitely worthwhile - you can see dunes upon dunes and the vlei (pan) slowly getting narrower, being stifled by towering sand dunes. Leave a Comment Directions: At the 45th Kilometre from the gate at Sesriem
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We headed off at about 6.30 to try and catch the sunrise over the famous red dunes of the Sossusvlei. This is the most dramatic time to photograph what are probably the tallest sand dunes in the world.
The word "Vlei" comes from the Afrikaans word for a shallow depression filled with water and this is where the Tsauchab River flows to, stopping in a pan at the end of the valley surrounded by the dunes. The river doesn't always flow this far but there was water when we visited. During exceptional rainy seasons, Sossusvlei fills with water and it becomes very tricky to get to in anything but a 4x4. Beyond the "vlei" the sand dunes stretch all the way to the coast in a constantly changing landscape. 'Sossusvlei' nowdays applies to the whole area, which covers the great plain of the Tsauchab River together with the red dunes to south and north of the plain. Leave a Comment Address: SossusvleiDirections: There is only one road in!
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This amazing plant is only found in the Namib Desert in a strip that stretches from southern Namibia all the wy up to Angola. On the route from Bloedkoppie to Swakopmund there is an area especially known for these plants, this is the Welwitschia Drive.
The plants were named after an Austrian botanist who discovered them in about 1860 in sourthern Angola. The oldest living specimens are estimated to be between 1500 to 2000 years old. The plant has only 2 leaves but these are usually split by the wind. The plant survives in one of the harshest enviroments with approx. 25mm of rainfall a year. Fortuantely this plant does not appeal in taste to Oryx or Springbok as the leaves are too harsh, but they are vulnerable when young. The Welwitschia has been recorded to grow as large as 1.5 metres from ground to top of stem which is quite amazing!
Pictured below is one of the largest specimens we had a close look at. Guides have made stone rings around these plants in an effort to keep people off them as the roots are sensitive, but you can't help but want a closer look as they are so ugly they are beautiful!
Didn't I date someone like that? That's another another stoty! Leave a Comment
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Bird watching doesn't appeal to everyone but there are instances when even the non-interested will have a look. For example our guide from SWA Safaris, Sylke, pointed out some interesting birds. On our way out to the park she pointed out the nest of the Sociable Weaver Bird this created a lot of interest.
I had mislaid my Birds of Namibia book I bought for the holiday so she helped identify some species like the Pale Chanting Goshawk and when we were in the 4x4 heading to the dune an African Eagle Owl was spotted in a tree , which did hold everyones interest.
I did bring along an LP guide to Wildlife Watching in Southern Africa which did have a limited glossary of birds.
Of course people always notice the colourful birds but usually it is the boring brown ones that are rarer and usually what excites a birdwatcher more.
I took a little walkabout at the Namib Desert Lodge and spotted quite a few species. Leave a Comment
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It looks like a Fata Morgana from far.
- Well it must be, there can not be such a building in this surrounding - or can it? Is it a Fort? a Castle?
It is Duwisib Castle.
A german officer (Baron von Wolf) wanted to retire here with his american wife and built this for them.
Looking quite stern from the outside it is actually really nice inside. It has a garden in the middle, 22 rooms, all in that red sandstone.
The funny thing is, that they only lived here from 1909 - 14, then the ex-officer heard of the outbreak of the first world war and had the idea that he should help the German. Instead of staying where he was he went on a ship, became prisoner of the English and died later in the battle at the Somme in France. (Stupid, huh?)
His wife then went back to Amerika. 1920 the castle was sold and since 1979 the state owns the building and has opened it for public.
Entrance from Sunrise to Sunset. Fee: N$20 per person and 20N$ per vehicle. Leave a Comment Directions: at the D826
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Something you will never be short of is wildlife, although depending on the area.
Whilst heading in to Sossusvlei we spotted Hartmanns Mountain Zebra and Oryx or as they are known here Gemsbok also Springbok were plentiful and so too were Ostrich.
Also known wildlife in the area are Red Hartebeest, Bat-Eared Fox, Spotted Hyena, Cape Fox and African Wildcats. The more rocky areas are inhabited by Kudu, Klipspringer, Baboon and Leopard. However, these are much rarer to be seen. Leave a Comment
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Beetles are some of the most successful creatures on this planet, and seeing how remarkable they are it is of no surprise. The Namib is home to a particular Tok-Tokkie Beetle, so called because it taps its abdomen against something to attract a mate. But this is not at all its most remarkable featre - rather, its intelligence is. To get water in such a harsh environment, this ingenious little beetle will climb the highest sandunes on foggy mornings, will stand on its head with it's back to the wind and let the fog condense into drops and fall into its mouth - incredible feat - especially for an insect .... but maybe only an insect ccan pull this off with dignity... imagine an oryx or an elephant trying the same thing! If elephants got a wind of this .... no more dunes :-) Leave a Comment Directions: Wherever there is sand .... just look, you are sure to spot one of these beetles crazily running about.
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Even though this is a desert area, everywhere you look you are bound to see living creatures, be it springboks and ostrich, birds, insects or plants. For me it is always interesting to see wildlife anywhere, but so much more so in these harsh conditions. Leave a Comment
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Sometimes whilst walking in the desert you may come across these wild desert melons. These are important in the food chain of the wildlife in the Namib, and even the most unusual animals like foxes and jackals eat them as they are a source of water. So please if you do come across one don't pick it up to eat it - it is a much needed lifeline for the wildlife here. Leave a Comment
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on August 5, 2006
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