This magical corner of Africa, unchanged for 2 million years, and with an existence of more than 65 million years, is the oldest desert in the world.
Namib means «huge» in the Nama language, its extension is about 81,000 km2 formed by a strip of arid land, parallel to the coast, 2,000 km long, and a width that ranges between 80 and 200 km. This hostile terrain stretches along the Atlantic coast of Namibia, covering large areas of this country and parts of Angola and South Africa for more than 2000 km.
The Namib desert or Namibia is another planet, a land of wild nature with impressive landscapes is one of the most amazing trips that can be done today.
Here, you will contemplate the impressive reddish colors of the dunes; These mighty mountains of sand, created by the winds, can rise more than 300 meters high. Some of the highest and most suggestive in the world are in the Sossusvlei area.
A few kilometers from the splendid reddish dunes, is another of the attractions of the Namibian desert, the Sesriem Canyon, a deep gorge that formed the Tsauchab River approximately 2 million years ago.
Imagen de ReinOldSchool en Pixabay
The hostile environment of the park challenges man and mammal alike; carnivores are no exception, and three of the largest species – the black-backed jackal, the brown hyena, and the spotted hyena – have adapted to desert life. The rich fauna of the place is a surprise. Despite the fact that it could be said that in the Namibian desert it does not rain abundantly, many species manage to survive.
What to see in the Namib desert
The Sesriem canyon
This is a deep gorge formed by the Tsauchab River approximately 2 million years ago. The basins of this river, occasionally retained in pools and ponds, even long after the rains, are a real lifeline for both people and animals.
The Skeleton Coast
It owes its name to the large number of remains of stranded ships that rest on the coast, creating a ghostly landscape. The waves are so strong that if you reached this coast by mistake it would be practically impossible to get out of there. The only way out would be through the desert.
Kolmanskop: The Buried City in the Namibian Desert
The German settlers built beautiful houses, a school, a casino in this desert area… But when it found itself further south, a richer diamond area, Kolmanskop became depopulated.
Imagen de Chris Stenger en Pixabay
If you are interested in knowing this magnificent place, we invite you to visit our tour: Namibian Desert Local 4-Day Mixed Loading Tour
