Field Trip: Dead Vlei, Namibia

Story and photo by Dennis Walton

Namibia truly has it all as a travel destination. There are unique tribal cultures and beautiful landscapes populated by the amazing African fauna. To me one landscape region stands out above all others—the Namib Desert.

The founders of this young country felt the same way and actually named the country Namibia after this amazing desert.The Namib is one of the oldest and driest ecosystems in the world. Its sands originated in the famous Kalahari Desert. The region called Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft Park is a highlight and also one of the few accessible areas. It is an amazing place consisting of giant dunes of fine red and orange sands interspersed with dry areas called vleis. One of the most iconic is Dead Vlei. Scorched black skeletons of long dead camel thorn trees add an evocative element to the desolate landscape, especially at sunrise.

The trees are not technically petrified—they are believed to have died only 600-700 years ago. It is just so dry that the wood does not decompose. If you decide to visit, seek lodging inside the park. That is the only way you can depart your hotel comforts in the dark and arrive at one of the many vleis before sunrise. A 4WD vehicle gets you closer and makes the walk shorter. Enjoy the trip.