Moon Landscape and Welwitschia

Marvel at a vast national park that is distinguished by massive sand dunes and otherworldly terrain during a tour of a remarkable desert environment. Continuing on, you’ll enter the Namib-Naukluft National Park, which includes part of the Namib Desert and is the country’s largest nature preserve, and notice its striking rusty-hued sand dunes, whose colors vary due to the iron in the sand oxidizing to a darker shade as the dunes age. In spite of the seemingly harsh conditions, find flora and fauna thriving here, such as the raggedy welwitschia, which resembles wilted lettuce and produces only two leaves in its up to 500-year lifetime. You’ll journey to Moon Landscape, a vastly eroded valley that is reminiscent of the lunar surface. Discover that even though the environment appears to be barren, it supports a complex ecosystem of lichens and shrubs subsisting on the occasional moisture provided by sea fog that rolls in from as far as 20 miles away. You’ll wonder at nature’s incredible adaptability during this fascinating excursion.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Experience the Namib-Naukluft National Park, a striking natural preserve that includes part of the Namib Desert.
• Wonder at the hardiness of the flora and fauna that thrive in the arid desert conditions.
• Contemplate a lunar-like topography carved out by the wind at Moon Landscape.
• Examine the unappealing welwitschia plant, which resembles wilted lettuce and lives up to five centuries.
• Discern the age of a sand dune from the depth of its rust color, due to oxidation through the years.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.