Ethiopia to Cape Town 2013-2014
8 months - with Gitane - Toyota Hiace 4x4 van

Namib-Naukluft National Park

March 16, 2014  —  Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia

The Namib-Naukluft Park encompasses the Namib Desert and also the Naukluft Mountains. Both environments are very different and magnificent.

The Namib Desert

Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia

The part of the Namib Desert protected in this park has a much healthier ecosystem than the Dorob Park shown in a previous post. There are several rare plants such as the Welwitschia mirabilis and the Aloe dichotoma (Quiver Tree).

Landscapes in this park are splendid.

Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
The Welwitschia can reach four metres.
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
It is the rainy season.
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Aloe dichotoma (Quiver Tree).
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Camping in the park.
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
New species - Cape Fox.

This small fox came to visit us during the night. It was attracted by the smell of our evening meal.

Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
We crossed the Tropic of Capricorn several times during our trip. Check on Wikipedia to see what it is all about.
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia

Animals are very hard to observe in the park. We have seen from far away some zebras, springboks and oryx.

Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Some leftover samplings from an old mine.
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia

The Namib Desert - sand dunes

On the other side of the river, the desert drastically changes and sand dunes appear suddenly. We went for a small trek in the dunes and we had a nice adventure.

When we crossed the river, it was completely dry. After walking for nearly two hours in the dunes with some thunderstorms far away in the east, we were surprised to come face to face with a flooded river on the way back. The water had risen more than a metre in the centre of the river... We were lucky to be able to cross it.

Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Coming back from our trek, the river was flooded. It was dry less than 2 hours before.
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
When we arrived, the river was dry. After our walk, the water had risen a lot (photo on the left). The next day, the water level was a bit lower.

Despite our small adventure on the way back, the landscape on the other side of the river was superb.

Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia

Naukluft Mountains

In these mountains, we did a nice trek of 16 km with very lovely scenery. This zone is not in the desert, and there is even a permanent river.

Naukluft Mountains - Namibia
Naukluft Mountains - Namibia
Naukluft Mountains - Namibia
A frog to identify...
Naukluft Mountains - Namibia
Naukluft Mountains - Namibia
Naukluft Mountains - Namibia
Naukluft Mountains - Namibia
Naukluft Mountains - Namibia
Naukluft Mountains - Namibia
Naukluft Mountains - Namibia

The Namib Desert - the Guiseb Canyon

Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia
Northern section - Namib-Naukluft National Park - Namibia