Walking and learning all about the geology of the country with a top geologist in Damaraland and Kaokoland is both a most rewarding and fascinating experience.
Namibia's most outstanding feature without doubt is her fascinating geology. Together with her awe inspiring scenery, this is what makes Namibia so unique. We can offer our clients the most wonderful insight into the geology of the country with a geologist staying at his rustic camp in Damaraland and learning all about the tectonic shifting of the plates and the carbon dating of the rocks.
Enjoy daily walking safaris in this dramatically beautiful area made up of granite rock. Perhaps have a private tented camp erected for you by another top guide whose father was Professor of Geology at Windhoek University and he too, will reveal the fascinating strata of the region. Explore the far north with its huge sand dunes and the rocky beaches of Terrace Bay.
Another wonderful region to explore if one is interested in geology is the Fish River Canyon in the south of the country. Visitors can stay in a lodge overlooking the canyon or perhaps go on a three day walking trail, camping en route.
When one travels down the canyon walls one can see the geological conditions that worked over 300 million years to form the landscape of today. The Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world and has been sculpted and carved through quartzite. The canyon is 90 kilometres long, 549 metres deep and up to 28 kilometres wide. The landscape looks harsh and stony with flat plains on the surface and various strata as you descend to the canyon floor.
Namibia is also known for the most precious rock of all - a gem really – diamonds. Discovered many years ago, over a ton of diamonds were dug and removed by various methods before WWI. Most of the diamonds now are mined both on and off shore in the south of the country near Oranjemund. Vast areas are strictly out of bounds with admittance by permit only.
In Damaraland and the Brandberg Mountains, one can wander through a landscape of breathtaking views of mauve and blue coloured mountains with red basalt plateaus and inselbergs dominating the skyline.
One sees fine white powder sand riverbeds and yellow sand dunes – all making for an interesting environment. One can also find black Dolorite stones and rocky outcrops. Namibia’s geological features started in the Archaen period more than 2600 million years ago.
Your guide will explain the beginnings of the landscape starting from bedrock with sediments and much volcanic activity. Etendeka, one of the areas we recommend visiting is filled with basaltic volcanism. Today you can walk through the hills over crystals and zeolites.
By Marcela Kunova - 20th April 2017
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