Morning on the Dunes 7635
Namibia is the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa, which makes for clear skies, cold nights, and – even in winter – searing-hot days. Deadvlei (“Dead Marsh”), in Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft Park, almost 400 hot, bumpy kilometres from the capitol, Windhoek, must be one of the driest places in this big country. During a period of drought, some 700+ years ago, the Tsauchab River stopped flowing through the area, and encroaching sand dunes blocked and diverted the river channels. As a result, the flood plain that had played host to camel thorn trees became parched, and the trees died where they now stand: desiccated and preserved by sunshine and dry air.

We stayed close to the Sesriem Gate overnight, so as to be on the move as soon as the Namib-Naukluft National Park gates opened in the morning. The desert night temperature was close to 0° C, and it was still cold as we drove to the meeting point to find our jeeps.

For the PhotoBlog story, please visit: <a href="http://www.ursulasweeklywanders.com/travel/dead-trees-and-dunes-deadvlei-namib-naukluft-park-pt-ii-namibia/" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.ursulasweeklywanders.com/travel/dead-trees-and-dunes-...</a>
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