Namibia – Deserts

Namibia has some extreme climate values to offer: rainfall in the Namib is only slightly higher than in the Atacama, in the Deadvlei area it is even negligible and is given as zero or none at all.

This was true for more than four years – until we arrived: four years without a drop and then it poured like buckets during the night and in the morning of our Deadvlei day, generating striking, impressive structures on the dunes – the unexpected extra for my pictures.

That was an unforgettable moment! Rain in the desert is rare enough, but after four years it felt almost surreal. The way the water interacts with the dunes, changing the colour and texture of the sand, creating mesmerizing contrasts, carving out delicate patterns and solidifying them into short, sculptural formations is one of nature’s rarest wonders and something few get to see.

In moments like these, you learn to appreciate how alive even the driest of landscapes can be.

If a desert is defined as a place of harsh conditions and sparse vegetation, then the Skeleton Coast certainly qualifies. This eerie coastline, known for its treacherous waters, is littered with shipwrecks, whale bones as well as surprising findings, earning it the infamous nickname “The Gates of Hell.” 

This part of the country appeared more abandoned than any other. We travelled for miles without any trace of life. A dilapidated hut, seemingly built without purpose, reinforced the disturbing impression of total isolation and resignation. The rusted oil rig emphatically demonstrated this resignation. Yet, for the photographer, the beauty of decay slumbered in this desolate scenario.