11/01/2022
Set within the coastal desert of Namibia are the biggest sand dunes in the world. They attract a vast number of travellers each year, many of whom aim to climb up the sands and enjoy a thrilling slide back down. But how much do you know about the Namib sand dunes? Here are 5 lesser-known facts.
Sossusvlei, in the southern part of the Namib Desert, is a salt and clay ‘pan’ surrounded by sand dunes. Due to its unique red sand, Sossusvlei is a must-see for many people when travelling to Africa.
2. In the Nama language, ‘sossus’ translates as a dead end or place of no return, while in Afrikaans the word ‘vlei’ refers to a shallow lake or marsh. Together, the name Sossusvlei roughly translates to mean a dead end marsh.
3. ‘Big Daddy’ attracts thousands of climbers sitting at a height of 325 metres, but the highest sand dune in the world is the nearby 383 metre-tall Dune 7.
4. The sand of Sossusvlei is approximately five million years old.
5. The primary source of water to the Namib is fog, meaning reptiles and mammals inhabiting the region have become desert-adapted in order to survive with limited water supplies.
