Where is namib desert

The Namib experiences less than 1cm of rain annually and is almost entirely barren. Strangely, whilst the region is virtually rainless, its air is typically at or near to saturation point, and fog is very common. The coastal regions have a steady temperature throughout the day and seasons of C. The wind blows inland pushing moisture ladened air from the sea inland forming thick fog and providing plants and wildlife with a rare reliable water source.

Inland temperatures vary much more and they can be freezing overnight and reach 45C during daylight hours. Rainfall is rare along the coast and central regions of the desert but it increases as the desert rises towards the towering Great Escarpment at its rear. Many streams run from this rock formation back through the desert towards the sea.

Few reach it as they evaporate or soak below the desert. These water reserves are tapped to support the deserts few towns. Whilst there are other coastal deserts such as the Atacama bounded by cool ocean currents, the Namib is the only one in which endemic plants and animals have evolved in virtually barren dunes.

A number of rare and interesting plants are present in the Namib Desert, such as the Welwitschia Mirabilis, which consists only of 2 leaves and a stem, and is estimated to reach up to years old. It consists of the Namib Naukluft Mountains, the Dune Namib, gravel plains and a lovely freshwater lagoon at Sandwich Harbour where many water birds flamingos can be seen. This area has very few rivers and low rainfall.

Sossusvlei is the site of giant dunes in magnificent colours which surround a clay pan. The winds change dune shapes constantly and the colours vary according to the time of day, these are the highest in the world, up to metres.

Visitors are astounded at the overwhelming beauty and silence. Language English. Life in the desert. Lying between a high inland plateau and the Atlantic Ocean, the Namib Desert extends along the coast of Namibia, merging with the Kaokoveld Desert into Angola in the north and south with the Karoo Desert in South Africa.

Throughout this vast and unforgiving landscape, a number of animals and plants have adapted to life here, including the mountain zebra Equus zebra , gemsbok Oryx Gazella , short-eared elephant shrew Macroscelides proboscideus , Grant's golden mole Eremitalpa granti , Karoo bustard Eupodotis vigorsii and Peringuey's adder Bitis peringueyi.

There is also an extraordinary diversity of succulent plants, as well as the shrub-like Welwitschia mirabilis , which has only 2 leaves and can live for over 1, years! Local conservation Although large parts of this desert region are protected, it still faces threats from unsustainable land practices, mining and illegal plant harvesting. One unique way of protecting Namibia's biodiversity has been through the WWF-supported conservancy movement , which gives local communities responsibility and right of ownership over their natural resources and wildlife.

You have been successfully added to the mailing list of Times of India Travel. To complete the subscription process, kindly open your inbox and click on the confirmation link which has been emailed to you. Thank You for sharing! Your friend will receive the article link on email mentioned. The high sand dunes of Namib Desert and the point where the desert meets the sea are the key attractions Visual Stories Right arrow.

Travel Beautiful getaways in South India that you can visit in December.