The Namib Desert is the oldest and most arid desert
region in the world, having been around for more than 80 million
years. In the Nama language, 'Namib' means 'vast'. This description
perfectly suits the miles of barren landscape stretching endlessly
along Namibia's Atlantic coastline.
In the north, the Skeleton Coast lies as an intensely
mysterious, inhospitable area of treacherous rocks, sandbanks, dry
gravel plains, and isolated, flat-topped mountains. The bleak
wilderness is especially eerie when blanketed in thick coastal fog,
brought about by the collision of the cold sea air and searing heat
of the harsh interior.
Over the centuries, shipwrecked sailors soon joined
the whale and seal skeletons which littered the coast, having no
chance of survival in the wastes of the Namib Desert. Its appeal
lies in its untouched quality, the colours and changing moods of
the large landscape, and the flora and fauna's incredible adaptions
to desert life.
The southern Namib forms part of the Namib-Naukluft
Park, one of Africa's most interesting and diverse nature reserves.
It includes Sandwich Lagoon, an important wetland area for
migratory birds, as well as canyons, rivers, and the Naukluft
mountain massif. It is home to many animal species, particularly
the Hartmann's mountain zebra. This section of the Namib Desert is
characterised by an endless sea of orange sand dunes, and the
famous Sossusvlei dunes, which are the highest in the world.
Situated along the coast, the charming little seaside
resort of Swakopmund emerges from the desert stretch. Its
distinctly German character and old world charm makes it a great
base for any holiday in the Namib Desert.