Did you miss the Superquark episode about the Namib Desert? We’ve got you covered
We know what you’re probably wondering: what could there possibly be to say about a desert?
Well, when it comes to the Namib, there’s a lot to say — really a lot — and we want to tell you all about it.
Also because we know full well you thought you’d escaped that vortex of boring lessons and endless hours staring at the clock hand slowly creeping toward the school bell back when you were sitting at your desk. But nope, not with us! Mwahahahahaha.
In this article we’ll tell you some interesting facts about the history of the Namib Desert, one of the places we love visiting most during our tours, and one we have a real soft spot for.
Read also: What to see in Indonesia? Plenty of awesome stuff
The education corner: here comes the big explanation
The Namib Desert is a masterpiece of nature that is millions of years old, a true geological relic. This huge “carpet” of rock and sand, stretching along the Atlantic coast of southern Africa and crossing Angola, Namibia, and South Africa, is considered one of the oldest deserts in the world.
Just imagine: when the Namib was forming its first dunes, dinosaurs still ruled the planet!
But how did this sandy giant form?
We’ll explain it in a nutshell and spare you an endless astronomy-style lecture from geology professors.
Millions of years ago, movements in the Earth’s crust and climate change transformed this region into an extremely arid environment, giving rise to this brightly colored desert. Its dunes, famous for their bright orange color, are a direct result of the iron in the soil, which oxidizes and gives them that unique shade.
There you go — we’ve spared you a technical knockout from a little Earth science lesson. You’re welcome.
Namib climate and wildlife: some drink from a water bottle and some... you’ll never guess
The climate of the Namib Desert is typically desert-like (who would have thought...).
Temperatures on the coast range between 14° and 20°C in summer and between 9° and 14°C in winter: perfect for anyone who doesn’t love scorching heat but still wants to brag about having visited a desert. And right here in the coastal areas, a very cool phenomenon takes place: huge banks of fog form over the Atlantic Ocean and move inland, providing the animal and plant species in the area with the moisture they need to survive in such an arid environment.
Then, as you head deeper into the desert proper, things change, and the cool coastal air gives way to wild temperatures that can easily exceed 45°C! Move over, Finnish sauna. And because there’s no end to the ways climate can make the unprepared suffer, at night the temperature plummets and can even drop below freezing at certain times of the year.
Since it is an extremely arid place, rainfall in the Namib is practically nonexistent and could almost be counted in drops rather than millimeters.
In short, an extremely inhospitable place, don’t you think? More inhospitable than your aunt’s sofa still wrapped in plastic so no one sits on it and wrinkles it.
And yet, despite this, the Namib is home to several animal species that have basically decided to give the blazing, dry climate the middle finger and adapt as best they could. That’s why in the Namib Desert you can find things like lions, horses, lizards, and insects of every kind. Among the latter there is even a beetle that has found a way to survive in the arid environment like this: basically, it always stays in a position where its abdomen is higher than its “mouth” (yes, beetles have mouths too). This way, the fog coming from the ocean condenses on its body and runs from its abdomen down to its mouth, allowing it to hydrate itself.
We know, it’s a bit gross to picture, but it really is a pretty cool fun fact, don’t you think?
The human history of the Namib, from rock art to lousy colonialism
The name Namib comes from the Khoekhoegowab language and means “vast place.”
Over the course of its history it has witnessed the succession of many cultures and peoples, each of which left its mark on the area: the desert saw the passage of the Nama, the Damara, and the San, known for their hunting skills and rock paintings, of which a spectacular example can be found at Twyfelfontein, a rather wild name given by Dutch colonizers.
Yep, here too we Europeans showed up to mess things up and seize the land and its resources, a sad chapter in Namibia’s history that is well represented by Kolmanskop.
The latter is an abandoned town that sprang up at the beginning of the twentieth century following the discovery of diamond deposits in the area. Like the vultures we Europeans were, we rushed to exploit the mines, building a small town that was permanently abandoned after the Second World War and is now partially covered by sand.
Read also: What to see in Morocco in 8 days: a taste of the amazing things waiting for you
In conclusion
And so we come to the end of this sandy journey through the Namib, a desert that never stops amazing with its climate, its wildlife, and its history — from the ancient one carved into the rocks to the inglorious one of colonialism.
After this first introduction, how about getting to know this desert — and all the wonderful ecosystem of Namibia — even better with a 13-day itinerary self-driving some massive 4x4 jeeps?
It’s seriously awesome!
We’re getting ready for the next departure. You get everything ready and book your spot to travel to Namibia with Sto Gran Tour!
