Читать книгу TransNamib: Dimensions of a Desert - Gabi Christa - Страница 6

Part 1

South Africa

The first part of our journey extends from the Cape of Good Hope to the southernmost extensions of the Namib Desert in the South African Northern Cape to the Orange River, which forms the border with Namibia.

From Cape of Good Hope to the Orange River

The desire to traverse the Namib Desert was awoken during our first visit in 1999. At that time, the civil war in Angola and the high-security status of the diamond mining zone (“Sperrgebiet”) made it impossible to travel through the arid part along the Atlantic coast. This situation has now significantly changed. The Angolan civil war was terminated in 2002 and, a short time afterwards, Sperrgebiet 2 was opened to a concession holder. Even parts of Sperrgebiet 1 have been open to visitors since 2004. Thus, “TransNamib” could be realised and an old dream could be made real.

All preparations for the journey have been completed. I’ve only got to wait for the passports from the Angolan consulate, then I’ll be on my way to trace a way through the Namib Desert. A desert is exciting, and, as with human life, it incorporates both all beauty and all horror. The specific feature of the Namib Desert is its fascinating diversity. This desert is not even just one landscape. On the one hand, it comprises areas with a rich diversity of flora and fauna, on the other hand it presents extreme living conditions for humans, animals and plants alike. Its southernmost fringes are to be found in the South African province of Northern Cape. From here, it extends 1.600km north into southern Angola to the town of Namibe. Namibe translates into “empty space” or “a place where there is nothing”. However, the dimensions of the desert host many small treasures, to be discovered and unearthed during the TransNamib.

This journey is about encountering the desert as a whole and a way to make this happen will be outlined. Since the planned route in Angola is very remote and the “Killing Zone” along the coast is not recommended for single vehicles, the journey is undertaken by two vehicles.