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"Vast Dry Plain, The Namib " a Namib-Naukluft Park Travel Page by Waxbag

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"Vast Dry Plain, The Namib " a Namib-Naukluft Park Travel Page by Waxbag

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Waxbag   
Home is Where You Hang Your Pack.


Real Name: john and cara macdonald
Lives In: United States of America
Member Since: Jun 25, 2002
VT Rank: 748

 

Page Views: 3,187            Last Visit to Namib-Naukluft Park: August, 2004      

Vast Dry Plain, The Namib

by Waxbag - last update: Aug 16, 2007

The “Dune Sea” of Namibia’s Great Namib Desert runs over 200 miles from the Orange River to the South to the Kuiseb River to the North. It contains some of the oldest, largest, and reddest dunes in the world. These giants reach up to 300 meters above the parched river bed.

The Namib-Naukluft National Park covers 23,000 sq miles and is one of the largest parks in the world. The shifting sands are constantly changing here making this one of the most dynamic landscapes in the world.

Sossuvlei is at the heart of the desert and an excellent place to explore some of the largest dunes in the Namib. Sesriem is the main camp that allows access to the park and has good facilities.

This place does not look or seem of this earth. The light and contrasts are a photographers dream.

Cost: ND = Namibian Dollars
$220 ND to camp in Sesreim (for two)
$20 ND each for Admission into the Park
$10 ND per vehicle
Dune 45
One of the most popular dunes, especially for sunrise and sunset views, is Dune 45. It is not the largest dune, around 150 m, but it offers some sepectacular views of the desert.
The cold Benguila current smashes into the Namib coast stripping the moisture right out of the ground. The average annual rainfall is around 0 cm but water laden fog rolls in and out frequently giving those plants and animals adapted to absorb water out of the air a chance for survival. Animals like springbok, gemsbok, ostriches, mongooses, bat-eared fox, brown hyenas, jackals, shovel-snouted Lizards, chameleons, sand snakes, skinks, and dancing spiders have adapted to this harsh environment.
Springbok in the Namib

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Pros:"Outrageously Unbelievable Landscape"
Cons:"Hard to get to without your own vehicle"
In A Nutshell:"One of the Top Parks in the World"
Waxbag's Namib-Naukluft Park Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 5 - Photos: 5
 
RestaurantsHotels & Accommodations
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Nightlife
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
Off The Beaten Path
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
 
Transportation
Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
Local Customs
 
Packing ListsShopping
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1

Waxbag's Namib-Naukluft Park Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
The Great Dunes of The Namib-Naukluft ParkSeptember, 1999 6
Dunes Revisited 2004June, 2004 8
Dunes Revisited 2004June, 2004 8

Comments for Waxbag about Namib-Naukluft Park
TatyanaShvec Wed Aug 12, 2009 15:10 UTC
 Foto is sooo great!!!!
nigelw6443 Tue Aug 8, 2006 11:55 UTC
 Thanks for the great tips! I will be here in october!
bushbaby Fri Sep 16, 2005 19:40 UTC
 when in the Sesrium area, consider hot air ballooning.
grishaV1 Sun Dec 5, 2004 16:55 UTC
 your so right, the colors are very rich even in fotos, brilliant!!!
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