Namib, desert varieties
Namib, Naukluft, Welwitschia Mirabilis & Namib Naukluft Park

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Namib
For the nature lover the Namib desert (Nama – huge open area) is a vast playground. The fascinating contrasts of light and shadow are changing constantly due to the influence of the sunlight.
The Namib is the oldes desert in the world. It covers an area of 400km along the coastline of Namibia (approx. 80-140km wide).
The climate is influenced by the cold Benguela current that comes directly from the Antarctic. Due to the cold water conditions clouds cannot build up. The only source of downpour comes from the fog -it develops because of the big differences of temperatures between the air and the sea- over the ocean. The central parts of Southern Africa usually gets rain only from the East, i.e. from the Indian Ocean! The Easterly winds also bring some plant particles into the ocean, a source of nutrition for insects and reptiles.

Gamsberg Pass and Naukluft
The Naukluft (red dot) lies Northwest of Maltahoehe on the road to Swakopmund. It consists of a mountainous plateau and the edge of the desert itself. It’s a hiker’s paradise and the home of the Mountain Zebra as well as many other animals.
Spectacular mountain passes await you. The Gamsberg Pass is for example an alternative raod from Windhoek to Sossusvlei or to Swakopmund.

Namib Naukluft Park
This National Park contains the area and the hinterland from Swakopmund to Lüderitz and is the largest conservation area in Namibia (49.768 km²). Here you can enjoy a diversity of landscapes from unique mountain ranges to desert plains and giant sand dunes. Also some lagoons at the Atlantic Ocean are situated within the boundaries of the park. Nature lovers can enjoy desert diversity at its best. Due to the changing sun light conditions the landscape changes its colours constantly.
In the North, very close to the coastal town of Swakopmund, is the Welwitschia area. This part of the desert can be visited in your own car (permit required) or on desert tours starting from Swakopmund. Close by you can also enjoy the moon landscape and the oasis of Goanikontes.
(Bookings, info Namibia Wildlife Resorts LDT - camping...)

Welwitschia mirabilis
This extraordinary plant was discovered 1860 by the Austrian botanist and doctor Friedrich Welwitsch in Angola. More or less at the same time Thomas Bains found some plants in the vicinity of Swakopmund.
This plant is something like an ancient conifer. It only builds up two leaves. The only source of downpour to survive comes from the morning fog that moves inland from the sea.
Welwitschia mirabilis is spread only between the Kuiseb Revier and Mossamedes in Angola.

Welwitschia and Moon Landscape
Just North of Swakopmund the desert plant "Welwitschia mirabilis" can be found in abundance. Take a look from the nearby view point into the bizarre Moon Landscape. Some science fiction films have been produced in this area.

(image: Welwitschia mirabilis)

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