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Press
Release 08.03.06
To: the media at ITB
From: Bush Telegraph (contact
details below)
For: immediate publication
- 1 text (Engl.) - 5 photos, 1 map, 3 Logos
- Intro: 64 Words / 360
Characters
- Text: 1,340 Words / 8,100
Characters
- PDF
Download (475 KB)
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Desert
Diversity - Four Deserts Route Namibia
Deserts have many faces. Most tourists are amazed at
the diversity of arid landscapes in southern Namibia.
The secret is that it is not merely one desert, but
four different desert systems - the Kalahari in the
east, the Nama Karoo in the central parts, the Succulent
Karoo in the south-west and the Namib in the West.
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Deserts
world-wide come into the limelight this year,
as the United Nations have declared 2006 the “International
Year of Deserts and Desertification”. Two
issues are at stake: the protection of deserts
as natural ecosystems, but also the control of
unnatural desertification which is a threat to
sustainable development in many parts of the world.
Both these issues are part and parcel of the new
'Four Deserts Route Namibia'
which was introduced at the ITB (Internationale
Tourismus Börse) in March 2006: the route
enables tourists to experience all the diversity
of Namibia’s four desert systems more intensively
than before, and at the same time their stay contributes
to the protection of these deserts and to the
development of local communities. |
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In the heart of the
Namib Desert: parched clay pan at famous Sossusvlei.
Photo: Gondwana Desert Collection |
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| Open Africa and the Gondwana Desert
Collection are at the forefront of this initiative;
another more than 30 partners have joined so far.
Open Africa is working on a network of tourist
routes which will link the wonders of Africa from
the Cape to Cairo. With its four nature reserves
the Gondwana Desert Collection introduces tourists
to the four deserts in Namibia. |
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| The
'Four Deserts Route Namibia'
covers the entire south, from the Gariep (Orange)
River right up to the Tropic of Capricorn. This
route, however, does not consist of a single road
which happens to run through the four deserts,
but rather represents a variety of enterprises
– accommodation, tours, arts and crafts
– which offer their services in the vicinity
of attractions. Tourists also have the option
to explore side routes in pursuit of special interests
such as game or bird watching, botany, geology,
archaeology, history and culture. The adventurous
are being catered for as well. The partners in
this project share a common vision for the 'Four
Deserts Route Namibia': to get visitors
enthusiastic about Namibia’s deserts, preserve
the delicate habitats and support rural communities
in their development. |
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Four Deserts Route Map.
 Map
Download (1,74 MB) |
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As the route
is being developed in phases, the group of participants
will expand further. Gondwana also intends to set up
an information centre in each of the deserts. In words
and pictures visitors will learn not only about the
desert in question, its origins and its fauna and flora,
but also about the people who live there and about their
culture and history. The first information centre is
nearing completion in Aus on the fringe of the Succulent
Karoo; the second one will be opened in the Kalahari,
on the Tropic of Capricorn. |
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Four
Deserts in Southern Namibia
By definition a desert is a dry area. But think of it
as an area where water loss through evaporation exceeds
the low rainfall (less than 250 mm) by at least ten
times, and you will quickly develop a healthy respect
for any kind of life that survives under these conditions.
It comes as a surprise for some that desert landscapes
are not just endless stretches of sand but can be rocky
and mountainous as well, with vast gravel plains in
between.
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This
kaleidoscope of varied and fascinating geological
formations and dramatic, ever-changing scenery
casts a lingering spell on enchanted visitors.
With plant and animal life minutely adapted to
survive under these harsh conditions, our living
deserts are also important centres of biodiversity.
Extremes of aridity, heat and cold can be experienced;
space and quiet, incredible sunsets and star-spangled
night skies. To get acquainted with the people
is definitely another highlight. With a cultural
and historical identity rooted in survival, they
are keen to share the beauty of their surroundings
with visitors, and their genuine warmth and hospitality
makes them perfect ambassadors of the desert.
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Desert in bloom: Succulent
Karoo near Aus.
Photo: Klein-Aus Vista |
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The new route
invites visitors to explore the deserts and to start
to understand their unique plant and animal world. |
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In the east
the deep, red sand of the Kalahari
Desert forms long parallel rows of dunes, partly
covered with grasses and accentuated by gnarled old
camel thorn trees and shepherd's bush. Since rain is
soaked up rapidly, surface water is a rarity. Animals
have therefore developed special survival strategies,
and large numbers of Gemsbok, Springbok and Ostrich
are once again moving across the Kalahari; vultures
are also increasing in numbers. The Kalahari is the
home of the San Bushmen, the legendary ancient people
who were able to live so frugally from these resources
and perfected the art of sustainable living. |
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A herd of Gemsbok on a Kalahari
dune.
Photo: Gondwana Desert Collection |
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The Nama
Karoo covers most of southern central Namibia
like a large wedge from north of the Gariep (Orange)
River to about 120 km south of Windhoek, with a narrow
strip along the fringe of the Namib reaching right up
to Angola. Geological formations take on stupendous
proportions in the Fish River Canyon, the second largest
canyon on earth. It was formed during the disintegration
of the ancient continent of Gondwana some 130 million
years ago. Apart from dwarf shrubs and scattered grasslands
the fascinating quiver tree is a distinctive symbol
of the south. While hiking or driving there is ample
opportunity to watch growing herds of Springbok, Gemsbok,
Kudu, Mountain Zebra and Ostrich. Much of the Nama Karoo
consists of vast plains. The mysterious, dark massif
of Brukkaros rises about 120 km north of Keetmanshoop.
Was it perhaps the tranquillity of this tremendous desert
that inspired the construction of magical little Duwisib
castle, slightly further to the west, a century ago? |
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Typical Nama Karoo scenery
at the Fish River Canyon.
Photo: Gondwana Desert Collection |
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The Succulent
Karoo spreads out south-west of Aus. It is located
mainly within a winter-rainfall area, and it is characterised
by bizarre looking shrubs which store moisture in their
leaves and stems. The Succulent Karoo is the most diverse
desert on earth and is regarded by scientists as one
of the 25 biologically most precious areas in the world.
Although these floral wonders are at their most spectacular
when they transform the desert into a sea of blossom
after the rains, they are well worth a closer look throughout
the year. Lüderitz with its harsh, barren landscape
resembles an island. African Penguins can be seen -
and heard! - in the vicinity, and on a visit to the
ghost town of Kolmanskop you cannot help wondering about
what life must have been like in the former diamond
settlement. Just west of Aus the fascinating Wild Horses
of the Namib can be watched. They conquered their habitat
about 90 years ago – and may be regarded as a
breed in their own right (the 'Namibs') by now. |
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To
the north the Namib Desert
forms a narrow strip along the Atlantic Ocean. The scenery
is one of shifting, glowing red dunes in the south,
to gravel plains with inselbergs in the central parts,
and jagged blue mountains in the north with deep valleys
cut by ephemeral rivers. Fog supplies plants and animals
with moisture. Visitors have a wide range of experiences
to choose from: at Sossusvlei they can clamber to the
top of the highest sand dunes in the world at dawn;
discover the ancient fossilised red dunes south of Solitaire
where they stand frozen in time; watch huge black Lappet
faced Vultures as they spiral upwards into the sky;
or trace the tracks of a solitary Gemsbok across the
gravel plains. One of the ultimate desert experiences
is a leisurely balloon-ride when the endless sand sea
dons a scarlet gown in the early morning sun. |
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The 'Four Deserts Route Namibia' is a very special
one: it showcases diversification, alternative
land utilisation and sustainable approaches in
the management of desert landscapes which are
more productive, create more jobs and generate
more income than conventional farming activities.
At the same time the natural balance and diversity
of the deserts is protected and even restored.
For more on the 'Four Deserts Route Namibia' see
Open Africa at www.africandream.org
from May 2006, and until then 'Namibia's south'
at www.four-deserts-route-
namibia.com. |
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Spinner at a weaving
workshop near Dordabis in the Kalahari where carpets
are woven from Karakul wool.
Photo: Ibenstein Weavers |
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Logos (l.t.r.): '4 Deserts Route', Gondwana Desert Collection, Open Africa
Logos
Download (313 KB) |
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