Namibia - Spitzkoppe

Welwittschia

 

As we departed for Spitzkoppe we made a detour so that Elaine could see the welwitschia plants. These plants are endemic to the Namib Desert north of the Kuiseb River. These plants are conifer with a short trunk with two very long leaves that are ragged from exposure to the weather. The only moisture that these plants get is from the fog that rolls in form the Atlantic Ocean some 30 to 60 km away.

The lichens in this area are also very interesting. They depend on the fog as well for moisture. When we first say these plants they were very dry. With a little moisture from a water bottle they bloomed.

Not far away in the Moonscape. This rugged areas reminds people of what it would be like on the moon.

On our way to Spitzkoppe we passed by multiple groups of women who were inviting us to stop and buy their trinkets. They were living in make shift houses built from dead trees that are collected from the river. We stopped and visited with one group of Himba women. They still dress in traditional clothing and follow there traditional ways. One of the women was dressed in a long dress with a very distinct hat. She was from the Herero people.

Himba Tribe

Herero People

Namaqua Chameleon

As we were driving along the road our guide noticed this chameleon. Worried that someone would drive over we stopped and Charl carefully captured the chameleon and moved him to the side of the road. This was the only time we saw a chameleon on our whole trip.

I love how the eyes of a chameleon can move 360 degrees.

Spitskoppe reminded us of landscape from the cartoon Flintstones. This lodge used golfcarts to transport people to and from their rooms. The main lodge was located up on rocks. The area was fenced so the animals were considered part of the game farm. We saw zebras visiting the waterhole.

Walkway to the main lodge.

Our Accommodation

Loved exploring this area. The mountains were so different from what we have seen.

This was the back way into see the Arch.

As we walked around the property we noticed different plants.

Mistletoe is a parasite plant.