Weekend in the Namib Desert

I am pleased that many of the delegates at last week's MEI conferences in Windhoek chose to stay on to explore the incredible natural attractions of Namibia, and I hope that some will share their experiences in the next week or so.

Namibia is a vast country and visitors must expect to travel great distances to see its splendid sights (see also Exploring Namibia- posting of 26 April 2014). Barbara and I returned to Windhoek yesterday after spending a couple of nights at the Namib Desert Lodge, a 4 hour drive from Windhoek. 

After a very early morning rise on Sunday our guide drove us into the Namib National Park and along the Tsauchab dry riverbed, which passes through the impressive dunes until it reaches the Sossusvlei clay pan, from where we walked to the awesome Dead Vlei, where 900 year old dead acacia tress stretch their branches into the blue sky.

Tsauchab river bed

Dune 45, the highest in the area

Climbing Dune 45

Dead Vlei

Returning to the Lodge we walked to the bottom of the Sesriem Canyon, which was cut into the 15 million year old sediments of sand and gravel agglomerates by the Tsauchab River.

Sesriem Canyon

And then back to the Lodge for a short rest before a late afternoon sundowner, passing through some stunning scenery and culminating with gin and tonics by the light of the setting sun. A fitting end to our 10 days in this friendliest of African countries.

Namibia's national animal, the oryx

Twitter @barrywills