Page 23 - My FlipBook

The Namib Desert

The Namib Desert is where Namibia derives its name from. It stretches the length of
Namibia's West coast, and includes the infamous stretch of coastline known as the
Skeleton Coast. It spreads inland from the coast up to the sharp rise of the

escarpment, with the Tsaris and Naukluft mountains prominent border features.

The Namib is one of the most diverse deserts in the world, and may be one of the
oldest. It has one of the largest number of endemic species of any desert in the

world. With the annual rainfall between 2mm and 200mm, depending on the area, it
is Southern Africa's only true desert.

An increase in eco-tourism has seen many livestock farms in the Namib converted
into wildlife sanctuaries, allowing the endemic species to thrive. Animals found in

the Namib include the majestic oryx (or gamsbok), Namibia's national animal, large

numbers of fur seal, the endangered desert rhino and desert elephant, and many
more.

The Namib hosts some of the highest permanent dunes in the world. Dune 7 is
approximately 1250ft high. The stunning Sossusvlei Valley provides opportunity to

climb some of these dunes, with Big Daddy being the most popular for ascent, and a
very close second in height to Dune 7 at approximately 1150ft.

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