Two Trees
Deadvlei, in Namib-Naukluft Park, Namibia, is a white clay pan, dried out over 600-700 years ago, dotted with dead camel thorn (Acacia erioloba) trees and surrounded by some of the highest dunes in the world.
Namibia is big.
And dry.
Namibia is the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa, which makes for clear skies, cold nights, and – even in winter – searing-hot days.
Deadvlei (“Dead Marsh”), in Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft Park, almost 400 hot, bumpy kilometres from the capitol, Windhoek, must be one of the driest places in this big country. During a period of drought, some 700+ years ago, the Tsauchab River stopped flowing through the area, and encroaching sand dunes blocked and diverted the river channels. As a result, the flood plain that had played host to camel thorn trees became parched, and the trees died where they now stand: desiccated and preserved by sunshine and dry air.
I posted a few pictures taken in Deadvlei (Portrait of a Dead Tree) back in August, while I was still in the country. I was travelling with a small group lead by Namibian guide Morne Griffiths under the direction of photographer Ben McRae, with Pedro Ferrão Patrício from Photoburst. We made our first excursion into the clay pan late one afternoon before the sun set.
Early the next morning, we were back for another look.
Tree at Sunrise
We stayed close to the Sesriem Gate overnight, so as to be on the move as soon as the Namib-Naukluft National Park gates opened in the morning. The desert night temperature was close to 0° C, and it was still cold as we drove to the meeting point to find our jeeps.
Bare Tree
Morning on the Dunes
Dawn Ride
Sunrise over Deadvlei Dunes
From the jeep drop-off, it is about a twenty minute walk across shifting sands.
Deadvlei Trees
I made it into the white-clay pan before the sun could reach all the way over the dunes.
Deadvlei Tree
The surrounding dunes turn orange as the sun rises.
Parched Clay
At the edges of the white clay pan…
Leading Lines
… a few camel thorn trees somehow find enough moisture to grow in the arid environment.
Deadvlei Landscape
The trees in the middle of the pan, however, died and dried out some 700 years ago…
Still Life on Rough Ground
… and lie where they have fallen…
Like a Sculpture
… or stand like wild creatures against the dunes.
Clay Remnants
Patches of white clay curl on the red sands.
Colour Contrasts
As the sun climbs over the dunes, the colours become more dramatic…
Tuft of Grass
… and the sun glistens off the sands and tough desert grasses.
Incoming Tourists
As we make our way out of the clay pan, jeep-loads of tourists walk into the area. Clearly, the pan is going to become crowded as the morning advances.
Climbers on the Ridge
Ripples and Waves
Footprints
Some small creature has left its mark in the sands of the dune.
Loo with a View
Back at the jeep parking lot, the rising sun packs heat that bleaches the landscape.
Gemsbok (Oryx gazella)
As we leave the Namib-Naukluft National Park, an oryx watches us.
It is a fascinating landscape, with a personality all its own.
I was so pleased to have been able to explore it in the relative quiet of the morning, before the arrival of the worst of the heat and crowds.
Until next time,
Happy Travels!
Pictures: 11August2015
[…] Dunes of Namib-Naukluft ParkThe next day, after an early-morning visit to Deadvlei (see: Dead Trees and Dunes) we are back in open-air jeeps bumping across the […]