paint the town red : the astounding colour palette of namibia
at its core, nambia is truly a country of colour. travel here and you’ll be treated to a pantone palette of the most vivd reds, oranges, and pinks. from its cartoonish, magnificent fauna to vast desert plains that change with the seasons, namibia is a flowing well of inspiration for photographers and creatives alike. below, we’ve covered some of the most fantastic sights the country has to offer, from fairy floss pink flamingos to skyscraper tall desert dunes in blood red.
deadvlei
dead vlei, also known as ‘dead marsh’, is a fabled place of no return. here, the camel thorn trees stand like stark black skeletons against a shocking backdrop of orange in the flush of daylight and dramatic red come sundown. hidden between some of the tallest dunes in the world, dead vlei was once a tiny oasis, with a river flowing into it that nourished its tall trees and surrounding wildlife. some 900 years ago, the river dried up, leaving behind a scorched, dry basin. the dramatic landscape makes dead vlei a haven for photographers and creatives.
namib desert
one of the oldest and most vast deserts in the world, the namib desert is a panoramic stretch of rolling, apricot dunes, some taller than the eiffel tower. as expansive as it is mysterious, driving in to the desert travellers are often treated to an eerie meteorological phenomenon : rolling clouds of fog that engulf the earth in a spooky mist.
salt plains, walvis bay
viewed from the sky, namibia’s salt plains appear as a patchwork of colour. the vast salt plains here produce 90% of the salt in sub-saharan africa, and are given their impressive hue thanks to microorganisms in the lake release beta-carotene as part of their photosynthetic process. looking at pictures of the plains, the colours appear to morphe endlessly - from candy floss pink to blood red.
flamingos, walvis bay
meet the enviably-coloured stars of namibia’s walvis bay: the pink flamingo. all along the country’s coastline you’ll find large flocks of these cotton candy birds. here, you’ll find two kinds of flamingos, distinguished by colour. the lesser flamingo is known for its deep pink feathers and red beak, whilst the greater flamingo are more modestly coloured with pale pink to white plumage. whilst you can spot flamingos in various places, walvis bay is one of the best and most famous places to see them.
the nest @ sossu
the nest is a true product of its environment - designed to camouflage with it, rather than dominate it. hidden away on namib tsaris conservacy and against the dramatic backdrop of ochre desert dunes, the nest is a true oasis. the hotels conical roofs mirror the mountains surrounding it, whilst its straw thatchings and rock walls carry the same colourings of the african land. designed by artist porky hefer, renowned for his nest-like sculptures, the lodge offers a shared living space and three ensuite bathrooms. interiors are decidedly minimalist yet luxe, with warm sloping walls and a circular leather couch in the living room.
https://ultimatesafaris.na/our-camps/private-retreats/the-nest-at-sossus
november 11 - november 21
is this an astrological match? find out here
there’s something primal about namibia. home to the world’s oldest desert, namibia is brimming with resplendent flora and fauna. the stillness of the african days and nights are joyfully interrupted by zebras, giraffes, antelopes, elephants and even black rhinos. with seas of apricot sand dunes, lush grasslands and mountains, glistening springs and waterholes and indigenous plants, the stunning natural landscape views give the wildlife a run for their money. centuries of history are embedded within the sand dunes of the skeleton coast and fossilised trees of the petrified forest. as you adventure through the namibian desert and scenery in your safari vehicle, you will be able to capture the ageless land and its fascinating story with your camera lens. be ready to fall in love with the wilderness and solitude of the namibian desert.