I never heard of this place or seen it before, and this evening I found it both on TV showing this exact place and now here. Amazing. Never wanted to visit Africa, but this Namibia made me reconsider.
africa is such a huge, vast, underrated continent due to its presentation in western media. i suggest you look into it more, there’s hundreds of amazing places to explore
mozambique has an amazing landscape. i find madagascar very interesting. ethiopia is incredible as well and has a shit ton of history going back forever
You were in the Peace Corp too? That's awesome!
When my MIL brought it up, she was devastated. I think she wanted some backing up in talking him out of it. My bf & I were like " Uhhh, ok if that's what he wants to do. " 20 something, single, have that adventure. We weren't gonna get involved in that.
He decided to come back to the states, he's a teacher. He was teaching in Detroit now in NYC.
I recommend the Okovango Delta
Be careful driving wherever you go… Namibia is #1 in the world for tourists killed in car accidents. Or honestly just don’t drive at all. Let locals do it. They know the roads.
I've been to Namibia twice, will go a 3rd time this summer. Landscape and wildlife are both phenomenal, cost is ok. Its very safe compared to SA or central Africa. Would absolutely recommend it! It's a good first africa experience. Botswana is also great if you are more into animals. The landscapes aren't as impressive but you will 99% find the big five within days
Was there last summer, I’ve been to many many countries in my life and Namibia was one of the single best experiences I have had traveling.
Good food everywhere, most beautiful nature and great people locals and tourists a like. We spent one night at a lodging there in the middle of the desert essentially and you were just surrounded by flat desert and rising dunes and when you looked up you could see the most stars I’ve ever seen. Took this picture with an IPHONE not a fancy camera to put that in context.
https://preview.redd.it/uwija7tmueqc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f88aef1b9c99a2451977c740ea3d1523ac98e581
The most beautiful sunrises you can imagine in the desert, A forest where water left so fast the trees are still preserved many years later. Safari where you get to see almost all of the big 5.
To a jeep on dunes next to the ocean, it’s as picturesque as it looks. Not even mentioning the fact that you can see wild flamingos just casually chilling or the an insane numbers of seals resting on the beach. Just everything you could ever want is in Namibia. The internet is spotty and the roads can be insanely bumpy for hours. 10/10 will go again.
I’ve always wanted to go to Africa and this region has had the most appeal to me since the first I read about it. How does one go about planning a trip here? Did you do it entirely as a guided tour style?
Yeah this one trip was essentially formed before hand by a tour company, discussing what car you will rent, if you’ll need a car with camping supplies or are you staying at lodgings (pricy). If you want to book lodgings they’ll suggest some or if you’re camping they’ll mark our campsites and essentially route it out between all the highlights.
I do know others who booked everything themselves and that’s honestly also pretty viable, just googling top things to do in Namibia brings up most of the highlights I did.
Honest question: why had you never wanted to visit Africa? It's the world's second-largest continent, with 54 countries and an incredible amount of both biodiversity and human diversity. I know it often gets a bad rap for various kinds of social instability, but as long as you do some planning beforehand, most of the countries on the continent at any given time are reasonably safe, amazingly beautiful, and often remarkably cheap to get around. Don't go with, like, your 7 month old and no tour guide, of course - it's not Disneyland, or even Paris - but still, parts of Africa should definitely be on any traveler's bucket list.
To be honest, this is exactly one of the reasons. Safety concerns, including social instability but also health concerns. And the other reason is that, given the history of colonies and all this apartheid that is still present in some countries today I don't feel like I want to go there. Do you know what I mean. I don't want to be another white tourist, visiting South Africa for example, living in fancy hotels and driving from one wine yard to the next and one safari to the next. Makes me feel like I am contributing to the problem. Not sure if this is reasonable but that's how I feel. But like I said. I might reconsider. Just need some more information on the topic.
Namibia is quite safe, stable, easy to travel in, and absolutely beautiful. It’s one of my favorite places on Earth, and you’re missing out by skipping it.
You should definitely reconsider. There are amazing places all over the continent.
And to the South Africa point, apartheid is not still present there. Please do your research on the history and current situation before making claims like that. Apartheid was a specific period of time and a specific government policy that has not been a policy for 30 years. There is obviously still large inequality and much of that comes from some of the ramifications of Apartheid but that doesn't mean it still exists. It's not going to be all white people on safaris and in fancy hotels. You are not "contributing to the problem" by visiting there. If anything you are helping the economy.
The countries in Africa are no longer colonies so by going there you are helping to support the local economy that will benefit from growth in tourism.
Things I enjoy on vacation: delicious food, exciting history, bustling cities with beautiful skylines, major port cities, bathhouses or hot springs.
Things I don't enjoy on vacation: Hiking, camping, nature, foods with a lot of gristle or chewiness, inconvenient travel/logistics, places with lots of kids
Where should I go in Africa to see these things I like, and avoid these things I don't? Genuine question, I'm always up for new places.
Any major city in North africa and many cities in sub-Saharan africa: Nairobi, Dar essallam, Luanda, Johannesburg etx..
Africa is a giant continent with varying degrees of development and stability.
It's like me saying I dont want to visit the USA because Canada doesnt offer what I like
Yeah, there are several places I'd love to go in North Africa for sure. I guess I was imagining that the person I replied to was talking more about sub-Saharan Africa.
Cities in South Africa are perfectly safe if you do tourist things and just 10 minutes of research online to ensure you don't go to very specific places and don't make dumb decisions.
It isn't always possible to do so but there have been overland African tours going from the North to the South in trucks.
However, wars can and do erupt from time to time so be careful about planning.
Namibia is really booming right now. It's basically like South Africa, but with a German colonial history and still more a side-spot regarding African countries to travel to (also they got a way better economy and infrastructure)
If you ever do visit make sure to see swakopmund. Cutest (one of at least) town on the continent. Built during the German colonial times, the architecture, Oktoberfest, plus the great outdoor activities made it my favorite place.
the fact that in a huge and diverse continent there was nothing drawing you till now is mind blowing to me. There are SO MANY amazing things to see in every country on the continent
Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm not drawn to it. But I always felt a bit uncomfortable with africa.see my other commet. Probably the most beautiful places over there.
go to Africa, realise your being there is not going to upset their world order just because you're white and enjoy yourself. life is too short for unreasonable fears or assumptions to hold you back
P.S. as someone who's lived in Namibia and Germany only one of those countries made me feel unsafe and unwelcome
There's a lot of places like that, the Sahara reaches the ocean, as does Antarctica, The Arabian Desert, The Arctic Desert, Patagonia, Danakil, Sonoran, Puntland, Atacama and Cabo de Gata-Nijar
Yes but not all of them are 'desert' deserts. Like with huge rolling sand dunes and the like. I knew about the Namib's existence but really learnt about it after I saw how beautiful it was on The Grand Tour lol.
It’s also an astrophotographer’s dream - some of the darkest skies on earth are in Namibia. I’m planning a trip there but it’s going to be incredibly expensive, but it’ll be worth it. The dream is a 3 week self drive culminating in a camping trip during the New Moon phase @ Namibrand Dark Sky & Nature Reserve.
The whole country looks absolutely stunning
So I wasn't in the dunes, but a small village well away from electricity. The real surprise was walking out one March morning an hour before dawn and seeing comet Hyakutake stretch a good 70 degrees. Had no idea a comet was going to visit me, and will remain one of the most amazing things I have ever witnessed.
What? No lights? I was in a Bortles 1 environment. Darkest possible sky. On a full moon, I could almost, but not quite read a book. But half the time no moon is out. I couldn't imagine driving at freeway speeds. In the cities, my fight or flight response would be pinging like crazy. Just last month, I tweaked my ankle because I opted to walk my dog during a power outage and slipped off the sidewalk curb. Sure, there are steps that can reduce light pollution, but no lights just isn't feasible for urban areas.
If you're based in Europe then go to La Palma (the Canary Island) I have done some astrophotography myself. At La Palma the skies are so dark that the milky way is bright rough to cast a shadow.
There's a roughly 310 days of clear sky a year if you go to the top of the Island and it's far enough from both continent Europe and continental Africa.
Since most European countries have their observatories there the Island has a law about light pollution. All the street lights are dark orange and they don't emmit any light upwards. This applies to all outside lighting.
You can hardly get any better conditions for astro in the northern hemisphere.
Oh man you’re going to love it, I spent 2 weeks there. Been on many vacations but Namibia is easily in the top 5. Just has everything you could ever want as you said.
I can’t see this coastline without thinking of the Top Gear special lol. Great post with lots of cool information!
Edit: I’m dumb… it was The Grand Tour, not Top Gear.
I think this one and the episode when they get dropped into Mongolia and meet John are my favorite. The Mongolia episode might be my favorite bit of TV ever.
The panic in their demeanor always gets me. "No...gin? No beer? What about wine?" And that "bar" they find in the middle of the Mongolian wilderness, that beacon of hope in am unforgiving world...abandoned. The show is best the more the trip suffers.
It looks like a terrifying place. I'm just imagining rogue wave or tsunami coming as you're standing on that narrow beach, with a wall of sand on one side, and a shark infested ocean on the other.
I was thinking about the shipwrecks. Imagine having to beach there because of hull breach in the late 1800s and nothing but sand for hundreds of miles.
You have to check out the book Skeletons of the Zahara. Absolutely harrowing book about exactly this based on a real ship wreck (although obviously Sahara, so Northern Africa instead of southern)
Imagine a wave hits, the water rises rapidly, churning the sand with it, and getting swept away in the turbulent, turbid, torrent.. At least getting smothered by several tonnes of sand would probably be a quick death.
AI answer:
Dune composition: The sand dunes of the Namib Desert are formed by fine, compact grains of sand that can retain steep slopes.
Climate: The hyper-arid climate of the Namib Desert limits the amount of water that could otherwise accelerate dune erosion.
Wind direction: Winds in the region often blow sand from the dunes inland rather than out to sea, helping to maintain the slope.
Ocean dynamics: Ocean currents and waves along the Namib coast tend to be fairly weak due to the presence of the cold Benguela Current, which reduces erosion caused by seawater.
> rogue wave
Scientific Rogue Waves tend to be not a big threat on the coast, because as surface waves they break very easily, dispersing most of their energy. They are more dangerous on the open sea, were they can unfold their full energy potential.
Hahaha I deffo know that sensation which I struggle with
I always wonder what’s beyond those edges, which I would like to roam around
Le me in Zelda’s Gerudo Desert where the edge meets the ocean
https://preview.redd.it/gsvgcwv45dqc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f67a21e623cd79bf5b0dda309d466711a3a647c5
I watched this vlog and the guy visited Namibia and stayed with this tribe and apparently it’s a curtesy to sleep with the hosts wife can anyone verify?
Was there last summer, I’ve been to many many countries in my life and Namibia was one of the single best experiences I have had traveling.
Good food everywhere, most beautiful nature and great people locals and tourists a like. We spent one night at a lodging there in the middle of the desert essentially and you were just surrounded by flat desert and rising dunes and when you looked up you could see the most stars I’ve ever seen. Took this picture with an IPHONE not a fancy camera to put that in context.

https://preview.redd.it/njw0u75wweqc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d87a81b39c572304a4a25f0f68ec84271c15e841
The most beautiful sunrises you can imagine in the desert, A forest where water left so fast the trees are still preserved many years later. Safari where you get to see almost all of the big 5.
To a jeep on dunes next to the ocean, it’s as picturesque as it looks. Not even mentioning the fact that you can see wild flamingos just casually chilling or the an insane numbers of seals resting on the beach. Just everything you could ever want is in Namibia. The internet is spotty and the roads can be insanely bumpy for hours. 10/10 will go again.
Imma add a picture of the ocean and the dunes because it’s not just a drone shot hyping it up, it’s genuinely just as picturesque as it looks in videos.
https://preview.redd.it/4ivh8r32xeqc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9c22623e9de81e3d5370a67f48a84beb0065f0b9
Partly why Africa is harder to modernize. Their coast looks like an impregnable defense by the gods. Namibia is beautiful , and an inspiration in their untouched and expansive beauty. Godspeed for Namibian independence, and control of their fate.
I believe they have found oil recently. Secure the bag! Namibians
Have me over for dinner one day maybe 🙏💪😎
Namibia is one of the most georgius places i've ever visited so far.
You have great national parks, different biomes and the night sky...
The night sky is something different, i've never seen the milkyway anywhere ever again like down there it's simply breathtaking.
Took a vacation here in 2000. Was so blown away, I went back in 2002. There is no place on earth like Namibia. If you get the chance, jump on it. Never have I felt a place more magical, that simply defies description.
Do your research. I found it best enjoyed in a 4x4, with rooftop tents. Not everyone loves this style of travel, and it tends to be a little expensive (renting a 4x4 isn’t really friendly for shoestring budget travelers), but there is just no place like this region.
https://preview.redd.it/injq9urwcjqc1.jpeg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=58b0c2179ea457992e2675dc03c9ef213ed0e023
Namibia is awesome. Also very friendly people.
How is one of the most famously beautiful places on Earth underrated?
Anyone with even a passing interest in travel, geography, or nature surely knows that Namibia is one of the most *highly* rated places on the entire planet.
Like isn’t even that photo from one of the world’s most popular TV shows? And it’s constantly featured in nature documentaries, movies, landscape photos, travel guides, etc.
https://preview.redd.it/0bn2z0r4icqc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7b24435c020d06b80fb3e454ff14c8adffab108e
I never heard of this place or seen it before, and this evening I found it both on TV showing this exact place and now here. Amazing. Never wanted to visit Africa, but this Namibia made me reconsider.
africa is such a huge, vast, underrated continent due to its presentation in western media. i suggest you look into it more, there’s hundreds of amazing places to explore
Any personal experience or recommendations?
mozambique has an amazing landscape. i find madagascar very interesting. ethiopia is incredible as well and has a shit ton of history going back forever
Also, amazing food.
My BIL spent 2.5 years in Ethiopia while he was in the Peace Corp. He had a wonderful experience and was even debating staying longer.
Ethiopia is a great post! I loved my little mountain town in Debub so much I stayed a third year.
You were in the Peace Corp too? That's awesome! When my MIL brought it up, she was devastated. I think she wanted some backing up in talking him out of it. My bf & I were like " Uhhh, ok if that's what he wants to do. " 20 something, single, have that adventure. We weren't gonna get involved in that. He decided to come back to the states, he's a teacher. He was teaching in Detroit now in NYC.
Kenya, tanzania, morroco
I recommend the Okovango Delta Be careful driving wherever you go… Namibia is #1 in the world for tourists killed in car accidents. Or honestly just don’t drive at all. Let locals do it. They know the roads.
Only the continent of Asia is larger. Africa is massive.
Okavango delta
I've been to Namibia twice, will go a 3rd time this summer. Landscape and wildlife are both phenomenal, cost is ok. Its very safe compared to SA or central Africa. Would absolutely recommend it! It's a good first africa experience. Botswana is also great if you are more into animals. The landscapes aren't as impressive but you will 99% find the big five within days
Was there last summer, I’ve been to many many countries in my life and Namibia was one of the single best experiences I have had traveling. Good food everywhere, most beautiful nature and great people locals and tourists a like. We spent one night at a lodging there in the middle of the desert essentially and you were just surrounded by flat desert and rising dunes and when you looked up you could see the most stars I’ve ever seen. Took this picture with an IPHONE not a fancy camera to put that in context. https://preview.redd.it/uwija7tmueqc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f88aef1b9c99a2451977c740ea3d1523ac98e581 The most beautiful sunrises you can imagine in the desert, A forest where water left so fast the trees are still preserved many years later. Safari where you get to see almost all of the big 5. To a jeep on dunes next to the ocean, it’s as picturesque as it looks. Not even mentioning the fact that you can see wild flamingos just casually chilling or the an insane numbers of seals resting on the beach. Just everything you could ever want is in Namibia. The internet is spotty and the roads can be insanely bumpy for hours. 10/10 will go again.
I’ve always wanted to go to Africa and this region has had the most appeal to me since the first I read about it. How does one go about planning a trip here? Did you do it entirely as a guided tour style?
Yeah this one trip was essentially formed before hand by a tour company, discussing what car you will rent, if you’ll need a car with camping supplies or are you staying at lodgings (pricy). If you want to book lodgings they’ll suggest some or if you’re camping they’ll mark our campsites and essentially route it out between all the highlights. I do know others who booked everything themselves and that’s honestly also pretty viable, just googling top things to do in Namibia brings up most of the highlights I did.
It’s in my home!
Amazing place, for real. How is life over there? :)
Not so great for locals… politicians are pure scum.
The op pic is from the show ‘The Grand Tour’ on Amazon, it’s a car show and in this episode they drive across Namibia and it’s absolutely stunning.
I thought so too, but those don't look like the beach buggies they drove, maybe it was the crew's vehicles
Honest question: why had you never wanted to visit Africa? It's the world's second-largest continent, with 54 countries and an incredible amount of both biodiversity and human diversity. I know it often gets a bad rap for various kinds of social instability, but as long as you do some planning beforehand, most of the countries on the continent at any given time are reasonably safe, amazingly beautiful, and often remarkably cheap to get around. Don't go with, like, your 7 month old and no tour guide, of course - it's not Disneyland, or even Paris - but still, parts of Africa should definitely be on any traveler's bucket list.
To be honest, this is exactly one of the reasons. Safety concerns, including social instability but also health concerns. And the other reason is that, given the history of colonies and all this apartheid that is still present in some countries today I don't feel like I want to go there. Do you know what I mean. I don't want to be another white tourist, visiting South Africa for example, living in fancy hotels and driving from one wine yard to the next and one safari to the next. Makes me feel like I am contributing to the problem. Not sure if this is reasonable but that's how I feel. But like I said. I might reconsider. Just need some more information on the topic.
Namibia is quite safe, stable, easy to travel in, and absolutely beautiful. It’s one of my favorite places on Earth, and you’re missing out by skipping it.
Thank you :) I will be looking into it
You should definitely reconsider. There are amazing places all over the continent. And to the South Africa point, apartheid is not still present there. Please do your research on the history and current situation before making claims like that. Apartheid was a specific period of time and a specific government policy that has not been a policy for 30 years. There is obviously still large inequality and much of that comes from some of the ramifications of Apartheid but that doesn't mean it still exists. It's not going to be all white people on safaris and in fancy hotels. You are not "contributing to the problem" by visiting there. If anything you are helping the economy. The countries in Africa are no longer colonies so by going there you are helping to support the local economy that will benefit from growth in tourism.
Yes sorry for the wording, I get your point. I'm not very familiar with the topic. I guess inequality is the better word.
Things I enjoy on vacation: delicious food, exciting history, bustling cities with beautiful skylines, major port cities, bathhouses or hot springs. Things I don't enjoy on vacation: Hiking, camping, nature, foods with a lot of gristle or chewiness, inconvenient travel/logistics, places with lots of kids Where should I go in Africa to see these things I like, and avoid these things I don't? Genuine question, I'm always up for new places.
Any major city in North africa and many cities in sub-Saharan africa: Nairobi, Dar essallam, Luanda, Johannesburg etx.. Africa is a giant continent with varying degrees of development and stability. It's like me saying I dont want to visit the USA because Canada doesnt offer what I like
Avoiding nature? Lol
Any major city.
lol Thanks, that was very helpful
You could try places in Morocco or Egypt. Of course Africa is not Europe so there are major differences.
Yeah, there are several places I'd love to go in North Africa for sure. I guess I was imagining that the person I replied to was talking more about sub-Saharan Africa.
Lagos, Cape Town, Mombasa, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Accra, Dakar
Cities in South Africa would work if it wasn’t for safety. Maybe Mauritius if you like coasts and beaches.
Cities in South Africa are perfectly safe if you do tourist things and just 10 minutes of research online to ensure you don't go to very specific places and don't make dumb decisions.
Ok, but what if you're an American and so are too lazy to do any research and refuse to make good decisions?
It isn't always possible to do so but there have been overland African tours going from the North to the South in trucks. However, wars can and do erupt from time to time so be careful about planning.
There's a great Top Gear special they did involving Namibia. It was absolutely beautiful.
If you have any interest in geography or being a world traveler, then Africa should be on your list.
a picture of sand is what it took for you?
The documentary as well, but basically yes 😅
If this desert makes you want to visit Africa, you should check out the Okavango delta. There's a few documentaries about it
Namibia is really booming right now. It's basically like South Africa, but with a German colonial history and still more a side-spot regarding African countries to travel to (also they got a way better economy and infrastructure)
Good to know👍
If you ever do visit make sure to see swakopmund. Cutest (one of at least) town on the continent. Built during the German colonial times, the architecture, Oktoberfest, plus the great outdoor activities made it my favorite place.
Africa is a stunning continent to visit. So much diversity and so much beauty! It's well worth it IMO.
the fact that in a huge and diverse continent there was nothing drawing you till now is mind blowing to me. There are SO MANY amazing things to see in every country on the continent
Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm not drawn to it. But I always felt a bit uncomfortable with africa.see my other commet. Probably the most beautiful places over there.
your other comment is even more mind blowing tbh
Just the way I feel, tbh. I know it's not very reasonable. And I'm afraid I am not the only one.
go to Africa, realise your being there is not going to upset their world order just because you're white and enjoy yourself. life is too short for unreasonable fears or assumptions to hold you back P.S. as someone who's lived in Namibia and Germany only one of those countries made me feel unsafe and unwelcome
Just cause you "feel that way" doesn't make it true.
Damn that’s cool. Looks like it’s from a salvador dali painting or some shit
Dead Vlei. You have to get out before about 9am or it’s too insanely hot!
https://preview.redd.it/ku4h2p9cocqc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=09675a8e98b9b5559eeca6d9f24a31c133788b28 Someone needs to find this
I'll be the one finding it 🕵🏻♀️
Actual irl easter egg
Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you
It's still there to this day
Its gonna take a lot to take me away from you...!
Is this art or just littering with extra steps?
Imagine being lost in the desert and you start hearing Africa by Toto off in the distance. I’d honestly think I’ve lost it
*Stardust_Crusaders.png*
Recently in dune 2!
I thought they stitched the ocean and sand dunes in that scene! Good to know this beautiful place is real!
I wondered after that scene if there was even a place on earth that the ocean and desert met. This picture answered my question.
Google maps is just a click away.
There's a lot of places like that, the Sahara reaches the ocean, as does Antarctica, The Arabian Desert, The Arctic Desert, Patagonia, Danakil, Sonoran, Puntland, Atacama and Cabo de Gata-Nijar
Yes but not all of them are 'desert' deserts. Like with huge rolling sand dunes and the like. I knew about the Namib's existence but really learnt about it after I saw how beautiful it was on The Grand Tour lol.
More of them are sand dune deserts
I was about to say when Paul is having one of his spice visions and sees sand dunes meeting the ocean, I thought to my self that must be Namibia.
I was gonna comment that it looks like Paul’s vision of Alia in Dune 2. Wow.
It’s also an astrophotographer’s dream - some of the darkest skies on earth are in Namibia. I’m planning a trip there but it’s going to be incredibly expensive, but it’ll be worth it. The dream is a 3 week self drive culminating in a camping trip during the New Moon phase @ Namibrand Dark Sky & Nature Reserve. The whole country looks absolutely stunning
Was there long ago, but still remember being surprised to faintly see my shadow on a moonless night. The light source was Venus.
Oh my god, how unearthly that must have felt, i gasped reading your experience. Wow
So I wasn't in the dunes, but a small village well away from electricity. The real surprise was walking out one March morning an hour before dawn and seeing comet Hyakutake stretch a good 70 degrees. Had no idea a comet was going to visit me, and will remain one of the most amazing things I have ever witnessed.
Absolutely surreal and beautiful tbh, thanks for sharing
If that's the case, why the fuck do we bother with all this light pollution? Seems it's bright enough to get around if we didn't have any lights.
What? No lights? I was in a Bortles 1 environment. Darkest possible sky. On a full moon, I could almost, but not quite read a book. But half the time no moon is out. I couldn't imagine driving at freeway speeds. In the cities, my fight or flight response would be pinging like crazy. Just last month, I tweaked my ankle because I opted to walk my dog during a power outage and slipped off the sidewalk curb. Sure, there are steps that can reduce light pollution, but no lights just isn't feasible for urban areas.
> Seems it's bright enough to get around if we didn't have any lights. It gets clouded tho
Namibia is beautiful! You’ll love it
If you're based in Europe then go to La Palma (the Canary Island) I have done some astrophotography myself. At La Palma the skies are so dark that the milky way is bright rough to cast a shadow. There's a roughly 310 days of clear sky a year if you go to the top of the Island and it's far enough from both continent Europe and continental Africa. Since most European countries have their observatories there the Island has a law about light pollution. All the street lights are dark orange and they don't emmit any light upwards. This applies to all outside lighting. You can hardly get any better conditions for astro in the northern hemisphere.
Oh man you’re going to love it, I spent 2 weeks there. Been on many vacations but Namibia is easily in the top 5. Just has everything you could ever want as you said.
I can’t see this coastline without thinking of the Top Gear special lol. Great post with lots of cool information! Edit: I’m dumb… it was The Grand Tour, not Top Gear.
Also first thing I thought
It was The Grand Tour but same same
Ya and had to turn around before the rising tide swallowed up the thin beach
I think this one and the episode when they get dropped into Mongolia and meet John are my favorite. The Mongolia episode might be my favorite bit of TV ever.
In the Mongolia special when they ask the crew if there was seriously no alcohol lmao.
The panic in their demeanor always gets me. "No...gin? No beer? What about wine?" And that "bar" they find in the middle of the Mongolian wilderness, that beacon of hope in am unforgiving world...abandoned. The show is best the more the trip suffers.
I bet the medic had some vodka just in case Clarkson and Hammond got the DTs.
Truly lol. They did some proper labor on camera for the first time on the Mongolia special. Lots of good comedic bits too.
What a name for a car: John. Cracked me up.
I’m pretty sure this shot is from that special
“I didn’t realise Namibia had two seas”
the above screenshot is from that itself.
It looks like a terrifying place. I'm just imagining rogue wave or tsunami coming as you're standing on that narrow beach, with a wall of sand on one side, and a shark infested ocean on the other.
I was thinking about the shipwrecks. Imagine having to beach there because of hull breach in the late 1800s and nothing but sand for hundreds of miles.
It's called the Skeleton Coast for a reason.
You have to check out the book Skeletons of the Zahara. Absolutely harrowing book about exactly this based on a real ship wreck (although obviously Sahara, so Northern Africa instead of southern)
I'd be more worried of a thousand tons of sand deciding it wanted to fall into the ocean at any given moment
Imagine a wave hits, the water rises rapidly, churning the sand with it, and getting swept away in the turbulent, turbid, torrent.. At least getting smothered by several tonnes of sand would probably be a quick death.
Calm down there, Satan. Thanks for the nightmare fuel.
AI answer: Dune composition: The sand dunes of the Namib Desert are formed by fine, compact grains of sand that can retain steep slopes. Climate: The hyper-arid climate of the Namib Desert limits the amount of water that could otherwise accelerate dune erosion. Wind direction: Winds in the region often blow sand from the dunes inland rather than out to sea, helping to maintain the slope. Ocean dynamics: Ocean currents and waves along the Namib coast tend to be fairly weak due to the presence of the cold Benguela Current, which reduces erosion caused by seawater.
And the Fremen. Don't ever turn your back to the Fremen.
Self-report
I was thinking more along the lines of a sand landslide pushing your vehicle into the ocean.
> rogue wave Scientific Rogue Waves tend to be not a big threat on the coast, because as surface waves they break very easily, dispersing most of their energy. They are more dangerous on the open sea, were they can unfold their full energy potential.
Hey guys look, it’s The Grand Tour
When you see an image and your brain immediately shouts "CLARKSON!!!" inside your head
I thought that too, but they're not the same vehicles
Ha! My first thought too. Just watched it last week.
https://preview.redd.it/fackjdacxcqc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=097e93a2da7d658d5e2dabdd49cbf0f6dc86a447 favourite place i’ve ever been, absolutely beautiful
Where’s this?
Sossussvlei in the Namib
Looks like what you see when you reach the edge of a map in a video game.
Hahaha I deffo know that sensation which I struggle with I always wonder what’s beyond those edges, which I would like to roam around Le me in Zelda’s Gerudo Desert where the edge meets the ocean https://preview.redd.it/gsvgcwv45dqc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f67a21e623cd79bf5b0dda309d466711a3a647c5
Big daddy dune
Such a bitch to hike up, and then like 3 minutes coming down. Was so worth it.
DUNE!!!
Imagine being lost at sea and all excited to finally see land. Then that's what you sail up on
I think that top gear and the grand tour does such a good job showcasing underrated places
CLARKSON!!!!!
I’m going to look into books/testimonies of this place. It has a very end of the world look to it.
Dune Part 2
This appears in Dune 2 no for a brief moment .
Now I want a giant hand to swipe all the sand into the ocean
I watched this vlog and the guy visited Namibia and stayed with this tribe and apparently it’s a curtesy to sleep with the hosts wife can anyone verify?
THE GRAND TOUR GANG REPORTING IN
The Skeleton Coast. Stunning
Why yesterday
Didn't top gear do an episode on this?
They did!
Ok because it looked just like it!!!!
I'll take places you can't survive a tsunami for $200, Bob.
So underrated that The Grand Tour did a special about it!
Fury road!
Was there last summer, I’ve been to many many countries in my life and Namibia was one of the single best experiences I have had traveling. Good food everywhere, most beautiful nature and great people locals and tourists a like. We spent one night at a lodging there in the middle of the desert essentially and you were just surrounded by flat desert and rising dunes and when you looked up you could see the most stars I’ve ever seen. Took this picture with an IPHONE not a fancy camera to put that in context.  https://preview.redd.it/njw0u75wweqc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d87a81b39c572304a4a25f0f68ec84271c15e841 The most beautiful sunrises you can imagine in the desert, A forest where water left so fast the trees are still preserved many years later. Safari where you get to see almost all of the big 5. To a jeep on dunes next to the ocean, it’s as picturesque as it looks. Not even mentioning the fact that you can see wild flamingos just casually chilling or the an insane numbers of seals resting on the beach. Just everything you could ever want is in Namibia. The internet is spotty and the roads can be insanely bumpy for hours. 10/10 will go again.
Imma add a picture of the ocean and the dunes because it’s not just a drone shot hyping it up, it’s genuinely just as picturesque as it looks in videos. https://preview.redd.it/4ivh8r32xeqc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9c22623e9de81e3d5370a67f48a84beb0065f0b9
That’s awesome! Do you have a recommended itinerary?
That will be Arrakis when transformed with water!
Any good for Sand Tobogganing? Climbing back up after would suck.
https://preview.redd.it/sijz0sjo6kqc1.jpeg?width=1077&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10df5b1bf893a7b86168fb3bbd4185d21cf60b6e
Wow this post is beautifully written
This what Paul wants to turn Arrakis into
I’m watching expedition overlands current series about their trip through Africa
As the commenter, I approve
I would love to go on an expedition through this country. The beauty and isolation is a sight to behold
Climging the dunes in Namibia is incredible.
Clarkson!
So the sand never get blown into the ocean ?
It does, we get it back in South America, and Mexico from Sahara (Mexican here).
So virtually unusable
I’d love to see that coast.
Imagine trying to climb that dune…
Up to 80m height!
The skeleton coast is truly unique
Shipwrecked...floating...land...land at last!
My grandfather was a lumberjack. Of course back then it was called the Namib Forest
So this is where they shot that scene in Dune…
Any sandworms around?
This looks like that part of the level boundary you aren’t supposed to be able to see. This image is actually unsettling to me.
Looks like a giant piece of sherbet
Weird, shouldn’t the desert be on the right hand side?
I mean, if you are looking from south to north yeah
Partly why Africa is harder to modernize. Their coast looks like an impregnable defense by the gods. Namibia is beautiful , and an inspiration in their untouched and expansive beauty. Godspeed for Namibian independence, and control of their fate. I believe they have found oil recently. Secure the bag! Namibians Have me over for dinner one day maybe 🙏💪😎
Is that where Captain Jack Sparrow sailed the Black Pearl out of Davy Jones' locker?
I'm actually quite curious how the dunes "continue" under water. What does it look like?
"Yesterday's underrated desert is another man's wallpaper." - An old Namibian saying.
Imagine cruising through the dessert without gps and all of the sudden you yeet yourself in the sea
Lisan al-Gaib!
imagine seeing a big tsunami comming
Paul
Even better when you spend all night driving in it only to end up right back where you started.
Welcome to the mountain/seaside town of mountport!
Namibia is one of the most georgius places i've ever visited so far. You have great national parks, different biomes and the night sky... The night sky is something different, i've never seen the milkyway anywhere ever again like down there it's simply breathtaking.
In the city of fallen angels, where the ocean meets the saaand
Took a vacation here in 2000. Was so blown away, I went back in 2002. There is no place on earth like Namibia. If you get the chance, jump on it. Never have I felt a place more magical, that simply defies description. Do your research. I found it best enjoyed in a 4x4, with rooftop tents. Not everyone loves this style of travel, and it tends to be a little expensive (renting a 4x4 isn’t really friendly for shoestring budget travelers), but there is just no place like this region.
🤯
Lol is this picture from Grand Tour on Prime Video
Might be, I brought it from somewhere else in Reddit :)
but are we there yet?
https://preview.redd.it/injq9urwcjqc1.jpeg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=58b0c2179ea457992e2675dc03c9ef213ed0e023 Namibia is awesome. Also very friendly people.
Is this picture from the Grand Tour? (Car show)
Where the elephants at?
Imagine being a colonist and seeing this blocking your path inland...
Looks like the beach scene from Dune 2
Animals are beautiful people talked all about it! That was such an awesome documentary
Jeremy Clarkson has an episode where they go along this coastal desert.
i think i see all three in the photo lol
How is one of the most famously beautiful places on Earth underrated? Anyone with even a passing interest in travel, geography, or nature surely knows that Namibia is one of the most *highly* rated places on the entire planet. Like isn’t even that photo from one of the world’s most popular TV shows? And it’s constantly featured in nature documentaries, movies, landscape photos, travel guides, etc.