Namib

The Namib Desert runs along the west coast of Namibia and is regarded as one of the oldest deserts of the world. The southern Namib region comprises of the Namib Desert, Namib Naukluft Park, Sossusvlei and the privately owned NamibRand Nature Reserve. The highest dunes in the world are found here and some measure up to 325 metres from the base.
Moisture in the form of fog that travels inland from the coast, makes the Namib Desert the most diverse desert in respect of the plant and animal life found here. Driving from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund one could easily forget that you actually are in a desert, as the landscape changes from sand dunes, to gravel plains and ephemeral riverbeds and you can expect to see oryx and springbok in the area. Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert is one of the hot-spots in Namibia and it is a comfortable driving distance from Windhoek and Swakopmund. A stay of at least two days is recommended here as the most astonishing pictures of the valley are taken at sunrise.
When driving through the northern section of the Namib Naukluft Park you can visit the ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis. It's hard to believe that the Welwitschia actually is a tree, but the harsh conditions of the Namib Desert has caused a large part of the stem to retreat underground, optically shrinking the plant to it's size.

Did You Know?

• The fog from the Atlantic Ocean makes parts of the Namib Desert the foggiest desert
• The Namib Desert has the highest sand dunes in the world
• The Namib Desert is one of the oldest deserts in the wolrd

Highlights

• Sossusvlei
• Sandwich Harbour
• Namib Naukluft Park & Welwitschia Plant
• Sesriem Canyon
• Apple Pie at Solitaire
• Hot-air balloon over Sossusvlei