In Namibia, in one of the oldest deserts on Earth, these fantastic red star-shaped dunes can reach almost 400 metres in height. The highest dunes in the world, overlooking an ancient petrified desert that forms a bedrock of sandstone and salt. The problem is that this site is one of the most visited in southern Africa, and is threatened by over-tourism, since deserts are also fragile ecosystems…

One Sossusvlei dune has been measured at over 383 meters, and named Dune 7 because it’s the seventh dune to be encountered after crossing the Tsauchab River. Probably the highest in the world.

The climatic conditions prevailing in the Namib Desert have been the same for 80 million years. With its immense golden dunes that stretch into the Atlantic, the Namib is one of the most mythical deserts and yet, one of the least known in France.

However, the area is immense. This part of the Namib gradually rises towards a semi-arid plain where a few ironwood trees and tumboas grow.

The tumboa or welwitschia (scientific name given in honor of the Austrian botanist who first studied it) are among the strangest trees on the planet.

With its short, wide trunk and two gigantic leaves, this species is one of the only plants capable of finding its place in this arid hell. Endemic to this desert, it’s said to be able to live for 1 or 2 millennia in terrible conditions.

Read this article from the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle on this mysterious tree.

It’s believed that Welwitschia is a relic from the Jurassic period (before the extinction of dinosaurs), initially adapted to tropical conditions, and managed to adapt to arid conditions, while none of its parent species survived on the planet.

This plant is featured on the coat of arms of Namibia.

It’s a symbol of Namibian identity.

The Namib Erg has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013. It covers more than three million hectares. The dunes are made up of material from the interior of southern Africa, brought by ancient rivers, ocean currents and wind… In this desert, fog is the main source of water, contributing to an environment unique on such a scale, where endemic invertebrates, reptiles and mammals adapt to a wide variety of microhabitats and ever-changing ecological niches.

Over the past 10 years, this international spotlight has raised substantial funds to protect and develop the site. But it also attracted the attention of tourists!

Between 2013 and 2019, tensions on the site have been noted. But the Covid19 pandemic put a huge stop to visits, mainly from Europe and America.

However, in view of the revival of international tourism, the Sossuvslei site will have to guard against over-tourism.