Namib Naukluft National Park
Covering nearly 5 million hectares, the Namib-Naukluft Park is the third largest game park in Africa. It is a spectacular mosaic of landscapes, ranging from the orange dunes of the dune sea and the vast gravel plains between the Swakop and Kuiseb rivers to the wetlands of Sandwich and the rugged mountains of the Naukluft massif. It comprises several sections, each with its unique landscapes, atmostphere and attractions.
The Namib section of the park has one of the higest densities of lappet-faced vulture in Africa. Among the other species to be seen are ostrich, Ludwig’s bustard, Rüppell’s korhaan, Namaqua sandgrouse, Stark’s lark, grey-backed finchlark and tractrac chat.
The vegetation of the Naukluft complex is classified as Semi-desert and Savannah Transition type. Some area are sparse, except in the Kuiseb and Swakop rivers, where a variety of trees and plants grow including various corkwoods, thorn trees, euphorbia species and quiver trees.
Originally proclaimed as a sanctuary for the Hartmann’s mountain zebra in 1968, the Naukluft mountains are home to a variety of other mammals. To date, nearly 60 mammal species have been recorded in the area; the most commonly seen larger species are gemsbok, springbok and Hartmann’s mountain zebra. The mountains zebra occur mainly in the in the eastern part of the park, expecially in the vicinity of the Kuiseb and Swakop canyons. Among the predators the black-backed jackal is the most widely distributed. Leopard occur in the Kuiseb and Swakop canyons, and the mountainous areas of the northeast. Spotted hyena in habit the eastern part of the park and along the coast, brown hyena partol the beaches in search of food.
The bird life, to date, has been recorded as 204 different species. In the geological history of this part of the country the naukluft mountains are of particular interest. The Rehoboth Sinclair Basement Complex, found mainly on the western side of the massif, consists of metasedimentary and volcanic rocks, gneisses and granites, varying from 1 000 to 2 000 million years in age.
