Namibia has lots of nature, lots of wildlife. A lot of the plants are endemic to Namibia. There are many National Parks in Namibia that help to protect the wildlife.
The Namib Desert is especially rich in interesting plants. Phantom Trees (Moringa ovalifolia) occur in the Namib Desert and north central portion of Namibia and southwestern Angola.
The Quiver Tree (Aloidendron dichotomum, german: Köcherbaum, french: Arbre aux carquois) is one of the best known desert plant species of southern Africa. Reaching heights of up to 10 meters, it is a conspicuous and striking component of the native landscape. Quiver Trees grow in arid regions of South Africa and Namibia, predominantly in the west.
Bottle Trees (Pachypodium lealii, french: Arbre bouteille) are restricted in distribution to the Namib Desert in southwestern Angola and northwest Namibia as far south as Waterberg.
Damara Milk-bush (Euphorbia damarana) is another plant endemic to Namibia. This plant is toxic for most animals. Reportedly, only rhinos and Kudu eat it, but we saw Southern Steenbuck eat it as well. A noted use is to contaminate watering holes with the plant's latex to poison and catch game which drink from the watering hole.
Another particularly interesting plant is the Welwitschia (Welwitschia mirabilis, german: Welwitschie). The Welwitschia has only two leaves that grow from the main body, but these leaves continue to grow throughout its life and form a huge tangled mass. The main body of the Welwitschia is mostly in the ground. It is short with fairly shallow roots. The Welwitschia is adapted to desert conditions. It can live to 1,500 years. Welwitschia are only found in a strip of land in the Namib Desert comprising parts of western Namibia and southern Angola. It is thought to be a relic from the Jurassic Period and it has changed very little since then.
Wildlife in the various parks is fantastic. I visited six parks and saw a lot of interesting wildlife. On this trip I saw Cape Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus pictus, german: Afrikanischer Wildhund, french: Chien sauvage d'Afrique) for the first time. I also saw South-western Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis occidentalis, german: Spitzmaulnashorn, french: Rhinocéros noir) for the first time close-up. Very impressive were the Gemsboks (Oryx gazella gazella, german: Spießbock, french: Oryx gazelle), an Oryx species native to Namibia and Botswana.
Mountains and desert with clumps of Damara Milk-bush (Euphorbia damarana). It is endemic to Namibia. (997k) Desert with clumps of Damara Milk-bush (Euphorbia damarana). (1.6M) Sand dunes in Sossusvlei. (846k) Sand dune in Sossusvlei. (791k) Sand dune in Sossusvlei. These dunes do not move, they have rocky support underneath. (794k) Large sand dune called "Big Daddy". You can hike to the top along the ridge. (624k) Big Daddy in the wind. (449k) View of Deadvlei. (650k) View of Deadvlei from the Big Daddy dune. (654k) In the Deadvlei. (666k) In the Deadvlei. (616k) Mysterious fairy circles in Sossusvlei. It is not clear what causes these rings. (855k) One of the fairy circles in Sossusvlei. (1.5M) Sesriem Canyon. (908k) Sesriem Canyon. (595k) Valley in the Namib Naukluft National Park. (812k) Scenery in the Namib Naukluft National Park. (598k) Rock formation in the Namib Naukluft National Park. (816k) Rock formation near Sesriem. (767k) Lake Otjikoto, one of only two natural lakes in Namibia. It is up to 55 m (180 ft) deep. The name is Herero and means "deep hole". (1194k) Almost full moon. (505k) Evening in the desert. (652k) Evening in the desert. (1316k) Morning in the desert. (559k) Sunset in the desert. (520k) Sunset in the desert. (381k) Sunset in the desert. (366k) Full moon just after sunset. You can see earth's shadow in the atmosphere. (707k) Nightfall in the desert. (446k) Nightfall in the desert. (524k) Nightfall in the desert. (454k) Nightfall in the desert with crescent moon. (520k) Nightfall in the desert with crescent moon. (466k) Nightfall on the Chobe River. (586k)
Plants
Cactus. (1303k) Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus, german: Echter Papyrus, french: Papyrus). (982k) Desert with scattered Welwitschias (Welwitschia mirabilis, german: Welwitschie). They are endemic to Namibia. (855k) Welwitschia (Welwitschia mirabilis, german: Welwitschie). (1471k) Welwitschia (Welwitschia mirabilis, german: Welwitschie). (1459k) The main body of a large Welwitschia. It is about 40 cm (16") across. (1018k) Damara Milk-bush (Euphorbia damarana). This plant is toxic for most animals. Reportedly, only rhinos and Kudu eat it, but we saw Southern Steenbuck eat it as well. (1212k) Mopane Aloe (Aloe littoralis). (1357k) Phantom Tree (Moringa ovalifolia). It is endemic to Namibia and southern Angola. (774k) Shepherd's Tree (Boscia albitrunca). (1272k) Shepherd's Tree (Boscia albitrunca). (1044k) Quiver Tree (Aloidendron dichotomum, german: Köcherbaum, french: Arbre aux carquois). It is endemic to Namibia and South Africa. (1415k) Bottle Tree (Pachypodium lealii, french: Arbre bouteille). It is endemic to Namibia and southern Angola. (1161k) Tree (maybe African Star Chestnut (Sterculia africana)). (1381k) African Star Chestnut (Sterculia africana). (1.5M) African Star Chestnut (Sterculia africana). (1070k) African Baobab (Adansonia digitata, german: Afrikanischer Affenbrotbaum, french: Baobab africain). (1.5M)
Animals
Termites building their tubes on a plant. (1153k) Termite mound. The termite mounds have the color of the surrounding soil. Following are mounds of various colors. (1.7M) Dark brown termite mound. (1112k) Red-brown termite mound. (1318k) Grey termite mound. (1.6M) White termite mounds. (1158k) Grasshopper (Dictyophorus griseus). (981k) Darkling Beetle (Tenebrionidae gen., german: Schwarzkäfer). (831k) Beetle (Adesmia sp.). (1.6M) Flatplate Millipede (Spirostreptidae gen.). (1112k) Kalahari Tree Skink (Trachylepis spilogaster). (607k) Cape Ground Squirrel (Geosciurus inauris, german: Kap-Borstenhörnchen, french: Écureuil de terre du Cap). (1029k) Smith's Bush Squirrel (Paraxerus cepapi, german: Smith-Buschhörnchen). (990k) Rock Hyrax colony. (1071k) Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis, german: Klippschliefer, french: Daman du Cap). (1114k) Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis, german: Klippschliefer, french: Daman du Cap). (893k) Rock Hyrax toilet. (1266k) Slender Mongooses (Herpestes sanguineus, german: Schlankmanguste, french: Mangouste rouge). (865k) Slender Mongoose (Herpestes sanguineus, german: Schlankmanguste, french: Mangouste rouge). (956k) Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus, german: Nilwaran, french: Varan du Nil). (1434k) Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus, german: Nilwaran, french: Varan du Nil). (828k) Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus, german: Nilwaran, french: Varan du Nil). (1274k) Close-up of Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus, german: Nilwaran, french: Varan du Nil). (760k) Southern Bat-eared Fox (Otocyon megalotis megalotis, german: Löffelhund, french: Renard à oreilles de chauve-souris). (798k) Southern African Black-backed Jackals (Lupulella mesomelas mesomelas, german: Schabrackenschakal, french: Chacal à chabraque) feeding on the remains of a Cape Wild Dog kill. (1273k) Southern African Black-backed Jackal (Lupulella mesomelas mesomelas, german: Schabrackenschakal, french: Chacal à chabraque). (1290k) Southern African Black-backed Jackal (Lupulella mesomelas mesomelas, german: Schabrackenschakal, french: Chacal à chabraque). (1138k) Southern Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus pygerythrus, german: Südliche Grünmeerkatze, french: Vervet bleu). (982k) Cape Chacma Baboons (Papio ursinus ursinus, german: Bärenpavian, french: Chacma). (1180k) Cape Chacma Baboon (Papio ursinus ursinus, german: Bärenpavian, french: Chacma). (1243k) Southern Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus sundevallii, german: Warzenschwein, french: Phacochère) with babies. (1294k) Southern Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus sundevallii, german: Warzenschwein, french: Phacochère). (1117k) Southern Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus sundevallii, german: Warzenschwein, french: Phacochère). (830k) Damara Dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii damarensis, german: Kirk-Dikdik, french: Dik-dik de Kirk), endemic to Namibia. (1.6M) Female Damara Dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii damarensis, german: Kirk-Dikdik, french: Dik-dik de Kirk). (914k) Baby Damara Dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii damarensis, german: Kirk-Dikdik, french: Dik-dik de Kirk). (925k) Male Damara Dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii damarensis, german: Kirk-Dikdik, french: Dik-dik de Kirk). (969k) Desert Common Duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia steinhardti, german: Kronenducker, french: Céphalophe de Grimm). (901k) Male Southern Steenbuck (Raphicerus campestris campestris, german: Steinböckchen, french: Steenbok) eating poisonous Damara Milk-bush. (1325k) Male Southern Steenbuck (Raphicerus campestris campestris, german: Steinböckchen, french: Steenbok). (1317k) Watering hole with Zebras, Kalahari Springboks, and Gemsbok ssp. gazellas. (1214k) Drinking Kalahari Springboks. (633k) Male Kalahari Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis hofmeyri, french: Springbok). (948k) Male Kalahari Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis hofmeyri, french: Springbok). (1041k) Male Kalahari Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis hofmeyri, french: Springbok). (1047k) Fighting Kalahari Springboks. (1188k) Harem of Black-faced Impalas (Aepyceros melampus petersi, german: Schwarzfersenantilope, french: Impala) on alert. There was a lion nearby. (1354k) Drinking Black-faced Impalas (Aepyceros melampus petersi, german: Schwarzfersenantilope, french: Impala). (1085k) Female Black-faced Impalas (Aepyceros melampus petersi, german: Schwarzfersenantilope, french: Impala). (1184k) Drinking male Black-faced Impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi, german: Schwarzfersenantilope, french: Impala). (1238k) Male Black-faced Impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi, german: Schwarzfersenantilope, french: Impala). (1339k) Male Black-faced Impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi, german: Schwarzfersenantilope, french: Impala). Note the characteristic black markings around the tail. (863k) Sparring male Black-faced Impalas. (1284k) Resting male Black-faced Impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi, german: Schwarzfersenantilope, french: Impala). (1216k) Close-up of male Black-faced Impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi, german: Schwarzfersenantilope, french: Impala). (861k) Female Red Lechwes (Kobus leche leche, german: Letschwe, french: Cobe de Lechwe). (889k) Male Red Lechwe (Kobus leche leche, german: Letschwe, french: Cobe de Lechwe). (1050k) Gemsbok, Kalahari Springboks, and Ostriches. (1020k) Gemsbok on their way to the watering hole. (1317k) Gemsbok (Oryx gazella gazella, german: Spießbock, french: Oryx gazelle). (837k) Gemsbok (Oryx gazella gazella, german: Spießbock, french: Oryx gazelle). (1423k) Drinking Gemsbok (Oryx gazella gazella, german: Spießbock, french: Oryx gazelle). (786k) Gemsbok (Oryx gazella gazella, german: Spießbock, french: Oryx gazelle). (1150k) Gemsbok (Oryx gazella gazella, german: Spießbock, french: Oryx gazelle). (1018k) Gemsbok (Oryx gazella gazella, german: Spießbock, french: Oryx gazelle). (1128k) Gemsbok (Oryx gazella gazella, german: Spießbock, french: Oryx gazelle). (1053k) Gemsbok (Oryx gazella gazella, german: Spießbock, french: Oryx gazelle). (831k) Red Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus caama, german: Südafrikanische Kuhantilope, french: Bubale caama). (726k) Blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi, german: Buntbock, french: Blesbok). (853k) Close-up of Blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi, german: Buntbock, french: Blesbok). (518k) Southern Greater Kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros strepsiceros, german: Strepsiceros, french: Grand koudou) and Hartmann's Mountain Zebras (Equus zebra hartmannae, german: Bergzebra, french: Zèbre de montagne de Hartmann). (1124k) Gemsbok (Oryx gazella gazella, german: Spießbock, french: Oryx gazelle) and Southern Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros strepsiceros, german: Strepsiceros, french: Grand koudou). (1190k) Drinking Southern Greater Kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros strepsiceros, german: Strepsiceros, french: Grand koudou). (1212k) Female Southern Greater Kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros strepsiceros, german: Strepsiceros, french: Grand koudou). (1025k) Male Southern Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros strepsiceros, german: Strepsiceros, french: Grand koudou). (1070k) Male Southern Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros strepsiceros, german: Strepsiceros, french: Grand koudou). (1098k) Male Southern Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros strepsiceros, german: Strepsiceros, french: Grand koudou). (1040k) Herd of Blue Wildebeests (Connochaetes taurinus taurinus, german: Streifengnu, french: Gnou bleu). (812k) Cape Eland (Taurotragus oryx oryx, german: Elenantilope, french: Éland), the second largest antelope. (1427k) Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus taurinus, german: Streifengnu, french: Gnou bleu). (946k) Hartmann's Mountain Zebras (Equus zebra hartmannae, german: Bergzebra, french: Zèbre de montagne de Hartmann). The mountain zebra has only alternating black and white stripes. (1085k) Hartmann's Mountain Zebras (Equus zebra hartmannae, german: Bergzebra, french: Zèbre de montagne de Hartmann). (1099k) Hartmann's Mountain Zebras (Equus zebra hartmannae, german: Bergzebra, french: Zèbre de montagne de Hartmann). (1169k) Herd of Burchell's Zebras (Equus quagga burchellii, german: Steppenzebra, french: Zèbre de Burchell). This zebra has light brown stripes in the white space between the dark black stripes. (1203k) Drinking Burchell's Zebras (Equus quagga burchellii, german: Steppenzebra, french: Zèbre de Burchell). (1015k) Burchell's Zebra (Equus quagga burchellii, german: Steppenzebra, french: Zèbre de Burchell). (1159k) Juvenile Burchell's Zebra (Equus quagga burchellii, german: Steppenzebra, french: Zèbre de Burchell). (1104k) Close-up of Burchell's Zebra. (865k) Angolan Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis, french: Girafe d'Angola). (928k) Angolan Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis, french: Girafe d'Angola) seeking shade. (1220k) Angolan Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis, french: Girafe d'Angola) browsing low bushes. They have a special valve system in their veins to prevent blood pooling in their head when they reach down. (927k) Angolan Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis, french: Girafe d'Angola). (1447k) Angolan Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis, french: Girafe d'Angola). (1371k) Close-up of Angolan Giraffe. (817k) Close-up of Angolan Giraffe. (560k) Giraffe bones. (1388k) Southern African Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus cowiei, german: Nilkrokodil, french: Crocodile du Nil). (1178k) Hippos on the Chobe River. (963k) Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius, german: Flusspferd, french: Hippopotame amphibie). (1.8M) Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius, german: Flusspferd, french: Hippopotame amphibie) bull with lots of scars and an open wound. (944k) South-western Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis occidentalis, german: Spitzmaulnashorn, french: Rhinocéros noir). The rhino has been de-horned to prevent poaching. (1370k) South-western Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis occidentalis, german: Spitzmaulnashorn, french: Rhinocéros noir). (1322k) South-western Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis occidentalis, german: Spitzmaulnashorn, french: Rhinocéros noir). (1342k) Close-up of South-western Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis occidentalis, german: Spitzmaulnashorn, french: Rhinocéros noir). (1087k) Herd of elephants at a watering hole. (1106k) African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana, german: Afrikanischer Elefant, french: Éléphant de savane d'Afrique) with baby. (1116k) African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana, german: Afrikanischer Elefant, french: Éléphant de savane d'Afrique). (1286k) Feeding African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana, german: Afrikanischer Elefant, french: Éléphant de savane d'Afrique). (1117k) Sparring African Bush Elephants (Loxodonta africana, german: Afrikanischer Elefant, french: Éléphant de savane d'Afrique). (992k) Elephant herd approaching the watering hole. (860k) Drinking elephants. (1005k) Drinking elephants. (1019k) Drinking elephant. (1306k) Drinking elephant. (1185k) The baby elephants can hardly reach the water. (1071k) This baby fell into the watering hole basin, which caused quite a commotion among the adults. They all came and tried to help the baby. (976k) African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana, german: Afrikanischer Elefant, french: Éléphant de savane d'Afrique) scratching an itch. (1358k) Close-up of African Bush Elephant. (1323k) Necking Cape Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus pictus, german: Afrikanischer Wildhund, french: Chien sauvage d'Afrique). (1081k) Mating Cape Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus pictus, german: Afrikanischer Wildhund, french: Chien sauvage d'Afrique). (1174k) Feeding Cape Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus pictus, german: Afrikanischer Wildhund, french: Chien sauvage d'Afrique). (1060k) Feeding Cape Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus pictus, german: Afrikanischer Wildhund, french: Chien sauvage d'Afrique), with a Southern African Black-backed Jackal (Lupulella mesomelas mesomelas, german: Schabrackenschakal, french: Chacal à chabraque) trying to steal from their kill. (1.6M) Cape Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus pictus, german: Afrikanischer Wildhund, french: Chien sauvage d'Afrique) chasing a Southern African Black-backed Jackal (Lupulella mesomelas mesomelas, german: Schabrackenschakal, french: Chacal à chabraque) away from their kill. (1478k) Cape Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus pictus, german: Afrikanischer Wildhund, french: Chien sauvage d'Afrique). (1158k) Cape Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus pictus, german: Afrikanischer Wildhund, french: Chien sauvage d'Afrique). (1416k) A couple of Southeast African Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus, german: Gepard, french: Guépard d'Afrique australe). (1293k) Sleeping Southeast African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus, german: Gepard, french: Guépard d'Afrique australe). (1292k) Southeast African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus, german: Gepard, french: Guépard d'Afrique australe). (867k) Yawning Southeast African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus, german: Gepard, french: Guépard d'Afrique australe). (850k) Southeast African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus, german: Gepard, french: Guépard d'Afrique australe). (762k) Southeast African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus, german: Gepard, french: Guépard d'Afrique australe). (1208k) Stretching Southeast African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus, german: Gepard, french: Guépard d'Afrique australe). (1012k) Close-up of Southeast African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus, german: Gepard, french: Guépard d'Afrique australe). (793k) Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta, german: Tüpfelhyäne, french: Hyène tachetée) with baby. (757k) Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta, german: Tüpfelhyäne, french: Hyène tachetée) with baby. (781k) Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta, german: Tüpfelhyäne, french: Hyène tachetée). (1010k) African Leopard (Panthera pardus pardus, german: Leopard, french: Léopard d'Afrique) in a tree. (1414k) African Leopard (Panthera pardus pardus, german: Leopard, french: Léopard d'Afrique) in a tree with an antelope. (1260k) African Leopard (Panthera pardus pardus, german: Leopard, french: Léopard d'Afrique) in a tree feeding on an antelope. (1103k) African Leopard (Panthera pardus pardus, german: Leopard, french: Léopard d'Afrique) cleaning up after the meal. (997k) African Leopard (Panthera pardus pardus, german: Leopard, french: Léopard d'Afrique) coming down out of the tree. (1.6M) African Leopard (Panthera pardus pardus, german: Leopard, french: Léopard d'Afrique). (1436k) Close-up of African Leopard (Panthera pardus pardus, german: Leopard, french: Léopard d'Afrique). (936k) Couple of lions. (819k) Couple of lions. (1143k) Female Southern Lion (Panthera leo melanochaita, german: Löwe, french: Lion). (1010k) Female Southern Lion (Panthera leo melanochaita, german: Löwe, french: Lion). (1082k) Male Southern Lion (Panthera leo melanochaita, german: Löwe, french: Lion). (917k) Male Southern Lion (Panthera leo melanochaita, german: Löwe, french: Lion). (929k) Mating Southern Lions. (951k)
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