NAMIB NAUKLUFT PARK
The Namib Naukluft Park is a protected area that was established in 1979 and covers an area of 49,800 km². It is part of the larger Namib Skeleton Coast National Park, which is the largest protected area in Namibia and the eighth largest in the world. The park is a result of the merging of several other parks and reserves, including the Skeleton Coast Park, the Namib Naukluft Park, the Restricted Diamond Area, the Dorob National Park, the Fish River Canyon, and the Meob Chamais marine reserve.
Why visit the Namib Naukluft Park
THE NAMIB DESERT
The Namib Desert, which is the oldest desert in the world, extends beyond the borders of the Namib Naukluft Park. However, within the park, you can experience a 500 km stretch of the desert that is between 100 to 180 km wide. This area is home to the highest dunes in the world, reaching heights of nearly 400 meters.
WILD HORSES
The Namib Desert is home to the world’s last desert-dwelling horses, known as the wild horses of the Namib Desert. The exact origin of these horses is still debated, but they are believed to be descendants of escaped farm animals, abandoned German cavalry horses, or a herd from Duwisib Castle. Recent research suggests that they are likely a mix of all these sources, as well as lost South African military horses.
KOLMANSKOP
Kolmanskop is the most famous ghost town in Namibia, located in the Sperrgebiet (forbidden territory) of southern Namibia. It was once a thriving diamond mining town, attracting fortune seekers during the early 1900s. The town featured elegant houses, a hospital, a ballroom, a school, a casino, and even an ice cream factory. However, after World War I, diamond prices crashed, and the town began to decline.
Over a period of 40 years, Kolmanskop flourished and then fell into ruin. Today, the Namib Desert is slowly reclaiming the town, creating a hauntingly beautiful landscape of crumbling buildings. Kolmanskop is a popular destination for photographers and filmmakers, offering unique and eerie photographic opportunities.
The Namib Naukluft Park is a place of extraordinary natural beauty and historical significance. From the towering dunes of the Namib Desert to the ghostly ruins of Kolmanskop, this park offers a unique and captivating experience for visitors.
