Know any Namib Desert facts? Get ready for a Namibia Safari worth remembering

The Namib Desert is one of the oldest and driest deserts in the world. Namib, meaning “vast” in the Nama language, is home to over 3,500 species of plants. The region also boasts some of the world's most magnificent desert scenery. Not to mention its unusual animals, including desert lions, wild desert horses and oryx. 

This incredible location is home to one of Africa's most unique ecosystems. At African Budget Safaris, we have a handpicked range of affordable Namibia Safari Tours that include a visit to the Namib Desert. 

To help you get ready for your next Namibia safari adventure, let's have a look at some interesting Namib Desert facts and the Namib Desert map of Namibia…

The Namib Desert Map

Namib Desert Map by Research Gate - Adapted from Li et al. 2016 and Kaseke et al. 2017

Where is the Namib Desert located?

Looking at the Namib Desert map, we can see that this coastal desert lies on the west coast of southern Africa. It stretches almost 2,000 kilometres along the Atlantic Coast, from South Africa all the way up to Angola. On the map, we can also see that most of the Namib Desert is located in Namibia, reaching about 130 to 160km inland.

Namib Sand Dunes

According to NASA’s Namib Desert map from satellites, the Namib Desert dunes are the tallest in the world. Some are more than 300 meters (1,000 ft) tall!

The Namib Desert dunes at Sossusvlei by Dirk Van de Velde

A great way to explore these dunes is on an affordable Namibia Safari, such as the 7-Day Southern Namibia & Sossusvlei Camping Safari. Adventure-seekers will enjoy sandboarding head-first down the dunes at 60 kilometres per hour! Sandboarding down the Namib Desert dunes is exhilarating for both experienced sandboarders and first-timers.

Namib Desert Lodges

Staying at a Namib Desert lodge, you can take in the stillness and vastness of the landscape. After a long day exploring the ancient desert, you can enjoy spectacular sunsets over the desert dunes. 

For around $2,400 per person sharing, our budget 13-day Cape Town to Windhoek Lodge Safari includes comfortable budget lodge accommodation in the heart of the Namib Desert.

Comfortable Namib Desert Lodge

Namib Desert Animals

It's incredible to think that animals can survive in this arid landscape! Africa's apex predator can even be found in these extreme conditions. Namib Desert lions are unique to the area. These magnificent creatures do not need to drink water. Instead, they get all their hydration from the animals that they eat. 

On our 6-Day Namibia Dunes & Wildlife Safari, game drives take you through the vast Namib Desert in search of unusual African wildlife, including these mysterious desert lions. 

Another animal that has adapted well to this harsh environment is the Namib Desert horse. Huge populations of these wild animals can be found in the desert, with herds of between 90 and 150 specimens.

Wild horse in the Namib Desert of Namibia by Paul Keller

Namibia is one of the best places to see oryx, the current population size is estimated to be around 400,000. These large antelopes have adapted to the harsh desert environment that most large mammals are unable to live in.

Namib Desert Webcam 

You can bring the Namib Desert map to life by checking out some live webcams from the region. See Namib Desert animals in action via this live stream.

Namibia safari: oryx and zebras

Namib Desert Trees 

On most of our Namib Desert, Namibia safaris you'll visit Sossusvlei and Deadvlei pans... such as this Private Namib Desert Safari. These pans are scattered with tree skeletons, making them some of the most striking desert landscapes on the planet.

Sossusvlei, Namib Desert safari in Namibia by ER Bauer

Another unique and unusual tree found in the region is the quiver tree. These trees are a species of aloe that can live for centuries. You can see them on several of our Namibia safaris including this 7-day Southern Namibia Safari.  

Quiver tree forest in Namibia

Namibia Desert Flowers

The Namib Desert has some unusual flowers that are well adapted to life in the desert. The Welwitschia Mirabilis plant is a unique blossom found only in the Namib Desert. Some species are as old as 1,500 years old and as tall as a person! 

Often referred to as “living fossils,” these plants grow close to the ground and look almost dead.

Welwitschia Mirabilis plant, Namibia Desert by Udo Schmidt

Namib Desert Ocean

Looking back at the Namib Desert map, we can see that this spectacular area lies along the Namibian coast. The desert merges with the coastline and meets the ocean. Known as the “Skeleton Coast'', the area is littered with over 1,000 shipwrecks. Massive whale skeletons also dot the beaches, making this an eerie yet breathtaking environment.

Skeleton Coast shipwreck, Namibia

You can check out the Skeleton Coast on our 7-Day Northern Namibia & Skeleton Coast Camping Safari. Explore the Namib Desert beach with a small group of up to 10 travellers for under $990 per person sharing.

Ready for a Namibia Safari in the desert?

The Namibian desert boasts spectacular scenery. During the day, it’s a photographer’s paradise. At night, the skies shine bright with stars from distant galaxies, making stargazing the ideal evening activity. You can experience vast open spaces off the beaten track in this quiet location. Escape the crowd in a remote African desert, surrounded by nature and your loved ones. 

Namibia Desert sky on Safari by Luke Price

Check out our Namibia Safari Tours or get in touch with African Budget Safaris for help planning your Namib Desert adventure.