Lunar hills
Grey gullies.
Harald Süpfle — CC BY-SA 2.5 · Daniel Kraft — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Heribert Bechen, 5 million visits - many thanks! — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Harald Süpfle — CC BY-SA 2.5
An area of bare, eroded hills in the Swakop River valley east of Swakopmund, carved by water over millions of years into rolling grey gullies and ridges that resemble the surface of the moon, seen from a viewpoint on the valley rim. The same road, inside Namib-Naukluft park, follows the Welwitschia Drive, a gravel route leading to the strange welwitschia plant, which grows only in the Namib Desert and lives for centuries, some more than a thousand years, with just two leaves that keep growing all its life and split on the sand. Along the way are viewpoints over the river valley and its small green oases, and dark volcanic dykes cutting the land in straight lines. Late afternoon, when the light softens and brings out the relief, is loveliest. The Welwitschia Drive needs a park permit bought in advance in Swakopmund; ordinary cars manage in dry weather. Do not step on the plants. Namibia's gravel roads cause many accidents, so drive slowly, never travel at night and carry plenty of water and fuel.
Grey gullies.
Just two leaves.
Green.
Swakop River valley, about 20 km east of Swakopmund
A plant found only in the Namib Desert that lives for centuries, some over a thousand years, with just two leaves growing all its life.