The Namib Desert is thought to be the oldest desert on Earth. A remarkable number of creatures and plants have adapted to survive in this hyper-arid region. These include snakes, geckos, hyenas and jackals. Most of the moisture in the Namib comes from thick fogs off the Atlantic Ocean rather than from rainfall.

The winds that carry the fog across the desert are also responsible for the towering sand dunes that are found in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Much of the sand is a deep burnt orange colour – and this is a sign of its age.

The most notable and well-known dunes are found in Sossusvlei. These are the tallest sand dunes in the world, rising in some places to over 300 metres above the desert floor. The striking orange colour is attributed to iron in the sand that oxidises over time (liked rusted metal), and the older the dune, the deeper the colour.

Towards the coastal areas of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, the dunes taper off and give way to lagoons, wetlands and mudflats along the shore. These wet areas attract a wide variety of birds. Sandwich Harbour is one such estuarine lagoon.  

The rest of the Namib-Naukluft National Park is made up by high isolated ‘inselbergs’ (Island Mountains) and ‘kopjes’ (small rocky outcrops) which are predominantly red granites and sand stone. The eastern part of the park includes the Naukluft Mountains which are known for their wildlife including mountain zebra and leopards.

Other animals that are likely to be seen in the Namib-Naukluft National Park include steenbok, springbok, oryx, kudu, Dassie rat, Chacma baboon, Rock dassie and klipspringer. Up to 200 bird species have been recorded in the area.