imagine a country twice the size of California but only two million people
California but only two million people
California but only two million people no wonder they call it namibia namibian
no wonder they call it namibia namibian
no wonder they call it namibia namibian place of know people it’s the oldest
place of know people it’s the oldest
place of know people it’s the oldest desert in the world it’s a land of
desert in the world it’s a land of
desert in the world it’s a land of ancient rock that spilled out of the
ancient rock that spilled out of the
ancient rock that spilled out of the earth over the ages hardening to become
earth over the ages hardening to become
earth over the ages hardening to become the backbone of a country that is the
the backbone of a country that is the
the backbone of a country that is the driest south of the Sahara maybe is
driest south of the Sahara maybe is
driest south of the Sahara maybe is dunes stretch for over a thousand miles
dunes stretch for over a thousand miles
dunes stretch for over a thousand miles from South Africa all the way north to
from South Africa all the way north to
from South Africa all the way north to Angola the dynamic landscape sculpted by
Angola the dynamic landscape sculpted by
Angola the dynamic landscape sculpted by wind into amazing shapes these are the
wind into amazing shapes these are the
wind into amazing shapes these are the famous red dunes of sources Flay the
famous red dunes of sources Flay the
famous red dunes of sources Flay the results of winds that blow from
results of winds that blow from
results of winds that blow from different directions and some of them
different directions and some of them
different directions and some of them are up to a thousand feet tall these are
are up to a thousand feet tall these are
are up to a thousand feet tall these are the lighter colored dunes found closer
the lighter colored dunes found closer
the lighter colored dunes found closer to the sea where they are shaped by
to the sea where they are shaped by
to the sea where they are shaped by strong coastal winds the reason in the
strong coastal winds the reason in the
strong coastal winds the reason in the mid desert exists at all lies offshore
mid desert exists at all lies offshore
mid desert exists at all lies offshore cold water the Benguela current plays a
cold water the Benguela current plays a
cold water the Benguela current plays a major role in creating arid conditions
major role in creating arid conditions
major role in creating arid conditions inland and for millions of years that
inland and for millions of years that
inland and for millions of years that same current has also transported sand
same current has also transported sand
same current has also transported sand north along the Mabius coast for strong
north along the Mabius coast for strong
north along the Mabius coast for strong winds blow it inland that sand
winds blow it inland that sand
winds blow it inland that sand originated oddly enough from the
originated oddly enough from the
originated oddly enough from the Kalahari Desert deep in the interior of
Kalahari Desert deep in the interior of
Kalahari Desert deep in the interior of Southern Africa it washes down into the
Southern Africa it washes down into the
Southern Africa it washes down into the Orange River which empties it out into
Orange River which empties it out into
Orange River which empties it out into the Atlantic Ocean just south of Namibia
the Atlantic Ocean just south of Namibia
the Atlantic Ocean just south of Namibia and this is the result a great sand sea
and this is the result a great sand sea
and this is the result a great sand sea meets the ocean in a magnificent setting
meets the ocean in a magnificent setting
meets the ocean in a magnificent setting that is as wild as any place we’ve ever
that is as wild as any place we’ve ever
that is as wild as any place we’ve ever been to it’s called the skeleton coast
been to it’s called the skeleton coast
been to it’s called the skeleton coast for all the shipwrecks that have
for all the shipwrecks that have
for all the shipwrecks that have occurred there over the years when we
occurred there over the years when we
occurred there over the years when we camped here we were the only people in a
camped here we were the only people in a
camped here we were the only people in a wilderness of more than 10 thousand
wilderness of more than 10 thousand
wilderness of more than 10 thousand square miles here’s the big picture
square miles here’s the big picture
square miles here’s the big picture maybe it’s tucked into a corner of South
maybe it’s tucked into a corner of South
maybe it’s tucked into a corner of South West Africa surrounded by unstable and
West Africa surrounded by unstable and
West Africa surrounded by unstable and goal in the north prosperous Botswana to
goal in the north prosperous Botswana to
goal in the north prosperous Botswana to the east and it is heavily influenced by
the east and it is heavily influenced by
the east and it is heavily influenced by South Africa it gained political
South Africa it gained political
South Africa it gained political independence only 20 years ago when the
independence only 20 years ago when the
independence only 20 years ago when the apartheid regime impulse-buy white South
apartheid regime impulse-buy white South
apartheid regime impulse-buy white South Africa came to an end in the 19th
Africa came to an end in the 19th
Africa came to an end in the 19th century in the maybe it was a
century in the maybe it was a
century in the maybe it was a in colony but the Germans have pushed
in colony but the Germans have pushed
in colony but the Germans have pushed out by the English after World War one
out by the English after World War one
out by the English after World War one and South Africa ruled it until 1992
and South Africa ruled it until 1992
and South Africa ruled it until 1992 powerful winds rule the climate of
powerful winds rule the climate of
powerful winds rule the climate of Namibia the strong southwesterly that
Namibia the strong southwesterly that
Namibia the strong southwesterly that prevails for much of the year and the
prevails for much of the year and the
prevails for much of the year and the periodic but dreaded east wind a winter
periodic but dreaded east wind a winter
periodic but dreaded east wind a winter wind that gathers heat and speed as it
wind that gathers heat and speed as it
wind that gathers heat and speed as it pours off Namibia Central escarpment and
pours off Namibia Central escarpment and
pours off Namibia Central escarpment and blows with hot fury and hurricane-force
blows with hot fury and hurricane-force
blows with hot fury and hurricane-force whirling clouds of sand across the land
whirling clouds of sand across the land
whirling clouds of sand across the land and far out to sea and that east wind
and far out to sea and that east wind
and far out to sea and that east wind can literally blow the desert into the
can literally blow the desert into the
can literally blow the desert into the ocean
ocean
ocean here’s a space-shuttle view of the
here’s a space-shuttle view of the
here’s a space-shuttle view of the remarkable phenomenon and to give you an
remarkable phenomenon and to give you an
remarkable phenomenon and to give you an idea the size of those sand plumes
idea the size of those sand plumes
idea the size of those sand plumes consider that this place here is 5,000
consider that this place here is 5,000
consider that this place here is 5,000 square miles that’s etosha pan and here
square miles that’s etosha pan and here
square miles that’s etosha pan and here is the ground view of a smoking dune hit
is the ground view of a smoking dune hit
is the ground view of a smoking dune hit by a strong wind the left side is a slip
by a strong wind the left side is a slip
by a strong wind the left side is a slip face and that’s where the sand collects
face and that’s where the sand collects
face and that’s where the sand collects and piles up the dune gradually moves
and piles up the dune gradually moves
and piles up the dune gradually moves over time this is pretty typical weather
over time this is pretty typical weather
over time this is pretty typical weather along the coast the island in the
along the coast the island in the
along the coast the island in the background had a great colony of gannets
background had a great colony of gannets
background had a great colony of gannets which our guide said we could easily
which our guide said we could easily
which our guide said we could easily reach with an inflatable dinghy we
reach with an inflatable dinghy we
reach with an inflatable dinghy we decided to postpone that idea you know
decided to postpone that idea you know
decided to postpone that idea you know with fieldwork you always have to
with fieldwork you always have to
with fieldwork you always have to improvise and sometimes you end up with
improvise and sometimes you end up with
improvise and sometimes you end up with really interesting meant to you
really interesting meant to you
really interesting meant to you enthusiastic guides who say that
enthusiastic guides who say that
enthusiastic guides who say that anything is possible but you know we
anything is possible but you know we
anything is possible but you know we were in it for the long run
were in it for the long run
were in it for the long run here’s how the desert sand meets the sea
here’s how the desert sand meets the sea
here’s how the desert sand meets the sea and vice versa the foam is the result of
and vice versa the foam is the result of
and vice versa the foam is the result of these strong offshore winds that whip
these strong offshore winds that whip
these strong offshore winds that whip the biomass of phytoplankton into a
the biomass of phytoplankton into a
the biomass of phytoplankton into a froth consider it something like marine
froth consider it something like marine
froth consider it something like marine egg whites like other major fisheries
egg whites like other major fisheries
egg whites like other major fisheries the Benguela current marine life has
the Benguela current marine life has
the Benguela current marine life has been plundered involved life populations
been plundered involved life populations
been plundered involved life populations like these Cape gannets have declined
like these Cape gannets have declined
like these Cape gannets have declined seriously but Namibia’s first marine
seriously but Namibia’s first marine
seriously but Namibia’s first marine protected area declared last year is an
protected area declared last year is an
protected area declared last year is an important step in the right direction
important step in the right direction
important step in the right direction just like the cold California Current
just like the cold California Current
just like the cold California Current that runs along America’s west coast the
that runs along America’s west coast the
that runs along America’s west coast the Benguela currents
Benguela currents
Benguela currents ports a rich marine ecosystem and on
ports a rich marine ecosystem and on
ports a rich marine ecosystem and on shore that results in spectacular
shore that results in spectacular
shore that results in spectacular gatherings of fur seals like this one at
gatherings of fur seals like this one at
gatherings of fur seals like this one at Cape crossed where over half a million
Cape crossed where over half a million
Cape crossed where over half a million seals may haul out for the breeding
seals may haul out for the breeding
seals may haul out for the breeding season and that attracts predators like
season and that attracts predators like
season and that attracts predators like jackals looking for an easy meal here’s
jackals looking for an easy meal here’s
jackals looking for an easy meal here’s a fur seal pup trying to defend itself
a fur seal pup trying to defend itself
a fur seal pup trying to defend itself against a hungry jackal but jackals are
against a hungry jackal but jackals are
against a hungry jackal but jackals are not the only ones I want to take
not the only ones I want to take
not the only ones I want to take advantage of the seals this is a very
advantage of the seals this is a very
advantage of the seals this is a very rare image of a very rare animal very
rare image of a very rare animal very
rare image of a very rare animal very few people ever see it’s a cousin of the
few people ever see it’s a cousin of the
few people ever see it’s a cousin of the well-known spotted hyenas of Africa
well-known spotted hyenas of Africa
well-known spotted hyenas of Africa savannas but this one is shaggy solitary
savannas but this one is shaggy solitary
savannas but this one is shaggy solitary and very shine getting coverage of brown
and very shine getting coverage of brown
and very shine getting coverage of brown hyenas was near the top of our wish list
hyenas was near the top of our wish list
hyenas was near the top of our wish list but one hyenas territory can be as large
but one hyenas territory can be as large
but one hyenas territory can be as large as 300 square miles it’s not easy to see
as 300 square miles it’s not easy to see
as 300 square miles it’s not easy to see wildlife in the interior denominators
wildlife in the interior denominators
wildlife in the interior denominators eart and most of the time you have to be
eart and most of the time you have to be
eart and most of the time you have to be content with deciphering tracks like
content with deciphering tracks like
content with deciphering tracks like these of a cape fox making its way up a
these of a cape fox making its way up a
these of a cape fox making its way up a dune or the slithers of a snake winding
dune or the slithers of a snake winding
dune or the slithers of a snake winding its way through the sand most of the
its way through the sand most of the
its way through the sand most of the desert small creatures may scribble
desert small creatures may scribble
desert small creatures may scribble tracks on the sand surface at night but
tracks on the sand surface at night but
tracks on the sand surface at night but they’re forced underground by day to
they’re forced underground by day to
they’re forced underground by day to escape the heat these are oryx’s also
escape the heat these are oryx’s also
escape the heat these are oryx’s also know that as heme spok which are so well
know that as heme spok which are so well
know that as heme spok which are so well adapted to desert life that they never
adapted to desert life that they never
adapted to desert life that they never have to drink water when it’s hot an
have to drink water when it’s hot an
have to drink water when it’s hot an Oryx can raise its body temperature up
Oryx can raise its body temperature up
Oryx can raise its body temperature up to a hundred ten degrees Fahrenheit so
to a hundred ten degrees Fahrenheit so
to a hundred ten degrees Fahrenheit so it doesn’t sweat and lose moisture and
it doesn’t sweat and lose moisture and
it doesn’t sweat and lose moisture and its blood passes through special nasal
its blood passes through special nasal
its blood passes through special nasal veins that cool it down before it
veins that cool it down before it
veins that cool it down before it overheats the brain this is a herd of
overheats the brain this is a herd of
overheats the brain this is a herd of Springbok seen from the air
Springbok seen from the air
Springbok seen from the air a century ago these antelopes numbered
a century ago these antelopes numbered
a century ago these antelopes numbered in the tens of millions early white
in the tens of millions early white
in the tens of millions early white farmers complained that they couldn’t
farmers complained that they couldn’t
farmers complained that they couldn’t sleep at night when migrating Springbok
sleep at night when migrating Springbok
sleep at night when migrating Springbok moved across their land in now
moved across their land in now
moved across their land in now unimaginable concentrations if you want
unimaginable concentrations if you want
unimaginable concentrations if you want to find animals in the desert what do
to find animals in the desert what do
to find animals in the desert what do you do you look for water because it’s a
you do you look for water because it’s a
you do you look for water because it’s a magnet the Springbok are coming to drink
magnet the Springbok are coming to drink
magnet the Springbok are coming to drink at a very small waterhole that we found
at a very small waterhole that we found
at a very small waterhole that we found and at that same spot these sand grouse
and at that same spot these sand grouse
and at that same spot these sand grouse scattered they need to drink water on a
scattered they need to drink water on a
scattered they need to drink water on a regular basis
regular basis
regular basis they may fly up to 40 miles to a water
they may fly up to 40 miles to a water
they may fly up to 40 miles to a water source the adults have a unique ability
source the adults have a unique ability
source the adults have a unique ability to gather water in their breast feathers
to gather water in their breast feathers
to gather water in their breast feathers to take it back to their chicks who
to take it back to their chicks who
to take it back to their chicks who drink it up directly from the parents
drink it up directly from the parents
drink it up directly from the parents soaked breasts plumage it just is in
soaked breasts plumage it just is in
soaked breasts plumage it just is in California where we live
California where we live
California where we live the Mabius coast is blessed by periodic
the Mabius coast is blessed by periodic
the Mabius coast is blessed by periodic fog caused by warm moist air from the
fog caused by warm moist air from the
fog caused by warm moist air from the open Atlantic Ocean blowing across the
open Atlantic Ocean blowing across the
open Atlantic Ocean blowing across the cold Benguela current the air condenses
cold Benguela current the air condenses
cold Benguela current the air condenses and it stretches inland as a life
and it stretches inland as a life
and it stretches inland as a life enhancing blanket across the desert and
enhancing blanket across the desert and
enhancing blanket across the desert and fog is what keeps these remarkable
fog is what keeps these remarkable
fog is what keeps these remarkable plants alive it hardly ever rains where
plants alive it hardly ever rains where
plants alive it hardly ever rains where they occur on the coastal gravel plains
they occur on the coastal gravel plains
they occur on the coastal gravel plains they are well reaches and they look like
they are well reaches and they look like
they are well reaches and they look like alien life-forms from another planet or
alien life-forms from another planet or
alien life-forms from another planet or plants that had a rough night on the
plants that had a rough night on the
plants that had a rough night on the town they only grow in the Namib Desert
town they only grow in the Namib Desert
town they only grow in the Namib Desert and some individuals are believed to
and some individuals are believed to
and some individuals are believed to live for as long as 2,000 years they’re
live for as long as 2,000 years they’re
live for as long as 2,000 years they’re so unique that botanists have placed
so unique that botanists have placed
so unique that botanists have placed them in their own subfamily there’s
them in their own subfamily there’s
them in their own subfamily there’s simply no other plant quite like them
simply no other plant quite like them
simply no other plant quite like them their long leathery leaves can’t hold
their long leathery leaves can’t hold
their long leathery leaves can’t hold any moisture but they’ve evolved to
any moisture but they’ve evolved to
any moisture but they’ve evolved to catch fog large well we choose create a
catch fog large well we choose create a
catch fog large well we choose create a micro habitat in The Naked desert that
micro habitat in The Naked desert that
micro habitat in The Naked desert that gives shelter to other creatures as well
gives shelter to other creatures as well
gives shelter to other creatures as well some of these well witches look so
some of these well witches look so
some of these well witches look so distinctive that we gave them names to
distinctive that we gave them names to
distinctive that we gave them names to tell them apart something we often do
tell them apart something we often do
tell them apart something we often do when we work with wild animals but we
when we work with wild animals but we
when we work with wild animals but we never applied it to plants before this
never applied it to plants before this
never applied it to plants before this one with its long curling dreadlocks we
one with its long curling dreadlocks we
one with its long curling dreadlocks we called Bob Marley while Veatch has come
called Bob Marley while Veatch has come
called Bob Marley while Veatch has come in both sexes and this muscular male
in both sexes and this muscular male
in both sexes and this muscular male plant look like a real bodybuilder so we
plant look like a real bodybuilder so we
plant look like a real bodybuilder so we named him Arnold
this voluptuous email we named Marilyn
this voluptuous email we named Marilyn you can tell female plants by their seed
you can tell female plants by their seed
you can tell female plants by their seed cones in the center which look a bit
cones in the center which look a bit
cones in the center which look a bit like those of a conifer tree and they
like those of a conifer tree and they
like those of a conifer tree and they are in fact distantly related to Pines
are in fact distantly related to Pines
are in fact distantly related to Pines this is a close-up of maryland’s counts
this is a close-up of maryland’s counts
this is a close-up of maryland’s counts I guess we could have called a Madonna –
female Valle reaches are pollinated by
female Valle reaches are pollinated by bees and wasps and when the cones ripen
bees and wasps and when the cones ripen
bees and wasps and when the cones ripen they release thousands of papery seeds
they release thousands of papery seeds
they release thousands of papery seeds that are dispersed by the wind and will
that are dispersed by the wind and will
that are dispersed by the wind and will reaches host their own unique array of
reaches host their own unique array of
reaches host their own unique array of life including this sap-sucking beetle
life including this sap-sucking beetle
life including this sap-sucking beetle whose nymphs are preyed upon by another
whose nymphs are preyed upon by another
whose nymphs are preyed upon by another juice loving beetle the Namib Desert is
juice loving beetle the Namib Desert is
juice loving beetle the Namib Desert is full of remarkable plants look at these
full of remarkable plants look at these
full of remarkable plants look at these spectacular succulents the native
spectacular succulents the native
spectacular succulents the native Bushman of southern Africa used to
Bushman of southern Africa used to
Bushman of southern Africa used to hollow out branches of this tree to hold
hollow out branches of this tree to hold
hollow out branches of this tree to hold their arrows that’s why they’re called
their arrows that’s why they’re called
their arrows that’s why they’re called quiver trees and their bark is so smooth
quiver trees and their bark is so smooth
quiver trees and their bark is so smooth and shiny and that makes them
and shiny and that makes them
and shiny and that makes them particularly suitable for photography
particularly suitable for photography
particularly suitable for photography and low-light because they reflect
and low-light because they reflect
and low-light because they reflect ambient light very well the sensors are
ambient light very well the sensors are
ambient light very well the sensors are modern digital cameras like the ones I
modern digital cameras like the ones I
modern digital cameras like the ones I use have a much higher sensitivity than
use have a much higher sensitivity than
use have a much higher sensitivity than I could have ever dreamt of when I was
I could have ever dreamt of when I was
I could have ever dreamt of when I was working with film in the days of film a
working with film in the days of film a
working with film in the days of film a typical film speed was a hundred or 200
typical film speed was a hundred or 200
typical film speed was a hundred or 200 ISO and I got the 400 ISL things became
ISO and I got the 400 ISL things became
ISO and I got the 400 ISL things became problematic but now I can shoot at a
problematic but now I can shoot at a
problematic but now I can shoot at a sensitivity of up to 12,000 ISL so I
sensitivity of up to 12,000 ISL so I
sensitivity of up to 12,000 ISL so I made this photo by moonlight alone very
made this photo by moonlight alone very
made this photo by moonlight alone very few people visited Namibia a century ago
few people visited Namibia a century ago
few people visited Namibia a century ago but in 1908 the course of its history
but in 1908 the course of its history
but in 1908 the course of its history changed forever when diamonds were found
changed forever when diamonds were found
changed forever when diamonds were found near the coastal town of Lou turrets in
near the coastal town of Lou turrets in
near the coastal town of Lou turrets in some places they were just lying on the
some places they were just lying on the
some places they were just lying on the surface and the miners crawled on their
surface and the miners crawled on their
surface and the miners crawled on their bellies and collected them by the
bellies and collected them by the
bellies and collected them by the handful sometimes they would go out to
handful sometimes they would go out to
handful sometimes they would go out to search for diamonds at night when they
search for diamonds at night when they
search for diamonds at night when they twinkled in the moonlight it was the
twinkled in the moonlight it was the
twinkled in the moonlight it was the richest deposit ever found one-fifth of
richest deposit ever found one-fifth of
richest deposit ever found one-fifth of all the world’s gem diamonds come from
all the world’s gem diamonds come from
all the world’s gem diamonds come from the midea and even though they could
the midea and even though they could
the midea and even though they could only be found right along a coast a huge
only be found right along a coast a huge
only be found right along a coast a huge security area was established inland as
security area was established inland as
security area was established inland as a buffer
a buffer
a buffer to prevent people from sneaking in and
to prevent people from sneaking in and
to prevent people from sneaking in and out illegally with diamonds it was
out illegally with diamonds it was
out illegally with diamonds it was called asparagus eat German for the
called asparagus eat German for the
called asparagus eat German for the forbidden zone in one way
forbidden zone in one way
forbidden zone in one way diamonds were this deserts best friend
diamonds were this deserts best friend
diamonds were this deserts best friend the Forbidden Zone stretched along
the Forbidden Zone stretched along
the Forbidden Zone stretched along nearly half the coast of Namibia from
nearly half the coast of Namibia from
nearly half the coast of Namibia from south african border 450 miles north and
south african border 450 miles north and
south african border 450 miles north and 60 miles inland and because mining was
60 miles inland and because mining was
60 miles inland and because mining was done mostly near the coast the sprawling
done mostly near the coast the sprawling
done mostly near the coast the sprawling desert interior has been virtually
desert interior has been virtually
desert interior has been virtually untouched since 1908
untouched since 1908
untouched since 1908 no human settlements no roads no
no human settlements no roads no
no human settlements no roads no livestock it’s a wonderland of walking
livestock it’s a wonderland of walking
livestock it’s a wonderland of walking dunes exotic animals and rare plants
dunes exotic animals and rare plants
dunes exotic animals and rare plants fast fields of mobile sand dunes these
fast fields of mobile sand dunes these
fast fields of mobile sand dunes these crescent-shaped dunes that are forever
crescent-shaped dunes that are forever
crescent-shaped dunes that are forever on the move are called Barkin or walking
on the move are called Barkin or walking
on the move are called Barkin or walking dunes they’re formed by powerful winds
dunes they’re formed by powerful winds
dunes they’re formed by powerful winds that blow from one direction and they
that blow from one direction and they
that blow from one direction and they bring planet earth a little bit closer
bring planet earth a little bit closer
bring planet earth a little bit closer to Mars because similar dune formations
to Mars because similar dune formations
to Mars because similar dune formations were recently discovered by a NASA
were recently discovered by a NASA
were recently discovered by a NASA satellite on the surface of the Red
satellite on the surface of the Red
satellite on the surface of the Red Planet we receive permission from the
Planet we receive permission from the
Planet we receive permission from the Namibian government to explore dispair
Namibian government to explore dispair
Namibian government to explore dispair gabite most of which has not yet been
gabite most of which has not yet been
gabite most of which has not yet been opened officially to tourism of course
opened officially to tourism of course
opened officially to tourism of course we were keen to get to some of these
we were keen to get to some of these
we were keen to get to some of these amazing places including this remarkable
amazing places including this remarkable
amazing places including this remarkable stretch of coastline it’s known as a
stretch of coastline it’s known as a
stretch of coastline it’s known as a long wall for its massive dunes that
long wall for its massive dunes that
long wall for its massive dunes that come right to the ocean
come right to the ocean
come right to the ocean last year the Namibia government made
last year the Namibia government made
last year the Namibia government made another important decision they
another important decision they
another important decision they announced plans to establish the largest
announced plans to establish the largest
announced plans to establish the largest National Park in Africa the Namid
National Park in Africa the Namid
National Park in Africa the Namid skeleton coast National Park an area of
skeleton coast National Park an area of
skeleton coast National Park an area of 60,000 square miles some of the areas in
60,000 square miles some of the areas in
60,000 square miles some of the areas in this new park were already protected but
this new park were already protected but
this new park were already protected but the spare Givi was added and a few other
the spare Givi was added and a few other
the spare Givi was added and a few other coastal areas to create a true super
coastal areas to create a true super
coastal areas to create a true super park that includes the entire coastline
park that includes the entire coastline
park that includes the entire coastline from Angola to South Africa Namibia left
from Angola to South Africa Namibia left
from Angola to South Africa Namibia left as a park pre-existed to you the
as a park pre-existed to you the
as a park pre-existed to you the skeleton coast exists up here to the
skeleton coast exists up here to the
skeleton coast exists up here to the north this is the spare gabite and then
north this is the spare gabite and then
north this is the spare gabite and then a couple of other areas were added here
a couple of other areas were added here
a couple of other areas were added here in the middle we went deep into despair
in the middle we went deep into despair
in the middle we went deep into despair Beach a guide to his one of the most
Beach a guide to his one of the most
Beach a guide to his one of the most experienced doom drivers in southern
experienced doom drivers in southern
experienced doom drivers in southern Africa
Africa
Africa and the only one permitted so far to
and the only one permitted so far to
and the only one permitted so far to take people into this fast sensi for a
take people into this fast sensi for a
take people into this fast sensi for a good reason he understands the ecology
good reason he understands the ecology
good reason he understands the ecology of the desert and he knows how to
of the desert and he knows how to
of the desert and he knows how to navigate his vehicles through the dunes
navigate his vehicles through the dunes
navigate his vehicles through the dunes without causing any damage with our
without causing any damage with our
without causing any damage with our small team we ventured from the interior
small team we ventured from the interior
small team we ventured from the interior of the sand sea down to the coast
of the sand sea down to the coast
of the sand sea down to the coast through trackless desert inland from the
through trackless desert inland from the
through trackless desert inland from the coast across the great sand sea you
coast across the great sand sea you
coast across the great sand sea you reach the foot of the jagged mauka lift
reach the foot of the jagged mauka lift
reach the foot of the jagged mauka lift mountains and then the Midrand reserve
mountains and then the Midrand reserve
mountains and then the Midrand reserve it’s a place of cinematic beauty with
it’s a place of cinematic beauty with
it’s a place of cinematic beauty with sinuous lines of vegetated sand dunes
sinuous lines of vegetated sand dunes
sinuous lines of vegetated sand dunes that glow red in the Evening Sun and
that glow red in the Evening Sun and
that glow red in the Evening Sun and from the air strange circles pop the
from the air strange circles pop the
from the air strange circles pop the landscape are called fairy circles and
landscape are called fairy circles and
landscape are called fairy circles and for a long time there are an unexplained
for a long time there are an unexplained
for a long time there are an unexplained mystery but a recent study finally
mystery but a recent study finally
mystery but a recent study finally confirms that the fairies are actually
confirms that the fairies are actually
confirms that the fairies are actually termites which have eaten all the grass
termites which have eaten all the grass
termites which have eaten all the grass seeds within the circles they like to
seeds within the circles they like to
seeds within the circles they like to keep their place clean the Ninh a brand
keep their place clean the Ninh a brand
keep their place clean the Ninh a brand reserve was the dream of Alby brückner
reserve was the dream of Alby brückner
reserve was the dream of Alby brückner a farsighted businessman from Wynne took
a farsighted businessman from Wynne took
a farsighted businessman from Wynne took who bought a dozen over grazed sheep
who bought a dozen over grazed sheep
who bought a dozen over grazed sheep farms and turned them into the largest
farms and turned them into the largest
farms and turned them into the largest private nature sanctuary in Africa
private nature sanctuary in Africa
private nature sanctuary in Africa covering more than 800 square miles the
covering more than 800 square miles the
covering more than 800 square miles the reserve is supported by revenues from a
reserve is supported by revenues from a
reserve is supported by revenues from a few spectacularly sited eco lodges the
few spectacularly sited eco lodges the
few spectacularly sited eco lodges the desert terrain of Nemea Brant is really
desert terrain of Nemea Brant is really
desert terrain of Nemea Brant is really not that well-suited to commercial sheep
not that well-suited to commercial sheep
not that well-suited to commercial sheep farming but for hem spock and notice the
farming but for hem spock and notice the
farming but for hem spock and notice the pronunciation it’s ideal habitat and
pronunciation it’s ideal habitat and
pronunciation it’s ideal habitat and large herds now gather here they’ve come
large herds now gather here they’ve come
large herds now gather here they’ve come back
back
back and because wild animals are better
and because wild animals are better
and because wild animals are better grazers on this land and domestic
grazers on this land and domestic
grazers on this land and domestic livestock the land itself has recovered
livestock the land itself has recovered
livestock the land itself has recovered – this is nothing short of a great
– this is nothing short of a great
– this is nothing short of a great healing with commercial livestock
healing with commercial livestock
healing with commercial livestock removed fences are being pulled out and
removed fences are being pulled out and
removed fences are being pulled out and wildlife canal roam across larger areas
wildlife canal roam across larger areas
wildlife canal roam across larger areas here’s a herd of rare red hartebeest
here’s a herd of rare red hartebeest
here’s a herd of rare red hartebeest crossing a road into grassland where
crossing a road into grassland where
crossing a road into grassland where fences once cut them off
fences once cut them off
fences once cut them off bringing predators back is potted at
bringing predators back is potted at
bringing predators back is potted at healing cheetahs are roaming again to
healing cheetahs are roaming again to
healing cheetahs are roaming again to remember
remember
remember and after they’d been exterminated if
and after they’d been exterminated if
and after they’d been exterminated if you want to practice conservation in
you want to practice conservation in
you want to practice conservation in Africa effectively you’ve got to give
Africa effectively you’ve got to give
Africa effectively you’ve got to give local people a chance to do things their
local people a chance to do things their
local people a chance to do things their way here’s a meeting in a Himba village
way here’s a meeting in a Himba village
way here’s a meeting in a Himba village where a community Conservancy was
where a community Conservancy was
where a community Conservancy was established those conservancies are an
established those conservancies are an
established those conservancies are an innovative way to give people a chance
innovative way to give people a chance
innovative way to give people a chance to find solutions for conflicts between
to find solutions for conflicts between
to find solutions for conflicts between livestock and wildlife at their own
livestock and wildlife at their own
livestock and wildlife at their own level it’s easy to proclaim that
level it’s easy to proclaim that
level it’s easy to proclaim that elephants need to be protected and they
elephants need to be protected and they
elephants need to be protected and they do but it’s not easy to coexist with
do but it’s not easy to coexist with
do but it’s not easy to coexist with them when they push their weight around
them when they push their weight around
them when they push their weight around at precious water sources at the
at precious water sources at the
at precious water sources at the invitation of the World Wildlife Fund
invitation of the World Wildlife Fund
invitation of the World Wildlife Fund Franz and I visited several
Franz and I visited several
Franz and I visited several conservancies we went to the far north
conservancies we went to the far north
conservancies we went to the far north the homeland of the Himba people
the homeland of the Himba people
the homeland of the Himba people traditional pastoralists who don’t have
traditional pastoralists who don’t have
traditional pastoralists who don’t have much in the way of material possessions
much in the way of material possessions
much in the way of material possessions they’re still semi-nomadic but the trend
they’re still semi-nomadic but the trend
they’re still semi-nomadic but the trend is toward small permanent settlements
is toward small permanent settlements
is toward small permanent settlements with humble dwellings and yet the people
with humble dwellings and yet the people
with humble dwellings and yet the people from this simple village are co-owners
from this simple village are co-owners
from this simple village are co-owners of this spectacular nearby tourist Lodge
of this spectacular nearby tourist Lodge
of this spectacular nearby tourist Lodge in a unique business partnership with
in a unique business partnership with
in a unique business partnership with wilderness safaris a safari company that
wilderness safaris a safari company that
wilderness safaris a safari company that does truly innovative things in the
does truly innovative things in the
does truly innovative things in the medium we visited a village with
medium we visited a village with
medium we visited a village with anthropologist Karen knot who has
anthropologist Karen knot who has
anthropologist Karen knot who has spearheaded a unique program that takes
spearheaded a unique program that takes
spearheaded a unique program that takes the knowledge that him but women have of
the knowledge that him but women have of
the knowledge that him but women have of a desert plant that they use to beautify
a desert plant that they use to beautify
a desert plant that they use to beautify themselves and turns it into an economic
themselves and turns it into an economic
themselves and turns it into an economic resource here’s how they do it the himbo
resource here’s how they do it the himbo
resource here’s how they do it the himbo women search for a bush they call the
women search for a bush they call the
women search for a bush they call the perfume plant it exudes a resin that
perfume plant it exudes a resin that
perfume plant it exudes a resin that smells fresh and aromatic they pluck the
smells fresh and aromatic they pluck the
smells fresh and aromatic they pluck the resin from the branches and then use it
resin from the branches and then use it
resin from the branches and then use it to send a moisturizing skin balm the
to send a moisturizing skin balm the
to send a moisturizing skin balm the resin used by the himbo women has
resin used by the himbo women has
resin used by the himbo women has attracted the attention of european
attracted the attention of european
attracted the attention of european cosmetics companies that are looking for
cosmetics companies that are looking for
cosmetics companies that are looking for new natural substances to use in their
new natural substances to use in their
new natural substances to use in their own beauty products resin collecting has
own beauty products resin collecting has
own beauty products resin collecting has been transformed from a traditional
been transformed from a traditional
been transformed from a traditional activity into a resource for the whole
activity into a resource for the whole
activity into a resource for the whole village and it’s a revolution for women
village and it’s a revolution for women
village and it’s a revolution for women who are now earning money for the first
who are now earning money for the first
who are now earning money for the first time in their lives through the
time in their lives through the
time in their lives through the Conservancy move
Conservancy move
Conservancy move young Namibians have new opportunities
young Namibians have new opportunities
young Namibians have new opportunities that are better aligned with the
that are better aligned with the
that are better aligned with the conservation of nature and when you give
conservation of nature and when you give
conservation of nature and when you give people ownership of their natural
people ownership of their natural
people ownership of their natural resources every elephant and every Rhino
resources every elephant and every Rhino
resources every elephant and every Rhino becomes a valuable asset instead of
becomes a valuable asset instead of
becomes a valuable asset instead of something to poach away in secret this
something to poach away in secret this
something to poach away in secret this mans proudly displaying the inventory of
mans proudly displaying the inventory of
mans proudly displaying the inventory of his conservancies wildlife now keep in
his conservancies wildlife now keep in
his conservancies wildlife now keep in mind that he has no background it means
mind that he has no background it means
mind that he has no background it means he has no degree in resource management
he has no degree in resource management
he has no degree in resource management this is mostly done from the bottom up
this is mostly done from the bottom up
this is mostly done from the bottom up but its support from the government and
but its support from the government and
but its support from the government and long-term significant support from the
long-term significant support from the
long-term significant support from the World Wildlife Fund here in the US
World Wildlife Fund here in the US
World Wildlife Fund here in the US tourists too are expanding in numbers
tourists too are expanding in numbers
tourists too are expanding in numbers and that’s a good thing for Namibia
and that’s a good thing for Namibia
and that’s a good thing for Namibia because it really needs the revenues
because it really needs the revenues
because it really needs the revenues from tourism and it reinforces the value
from tourism and it reinforces the value
from tourism and it reinforces the value of protected areas but it can also lead
of protected areas but it can also lead
of protected areas but it can also lead to problems
to problems
to problems uncontrolled offer a driving has damaged
uncontrolled offer a driving has damaged
uncontrolled offer a driving has damaged certain areas or single tracks have
certain areas or single tracks have
certain areas or single tracks have become multi Lane highways
become multi Lane highways
become multi Lane highways this is an area that had a low grade
this is an area that had a low grade
this is an area that had a low grade level of protection but it has now been
level of protection but it has now been
level of protection but it has now been brought into the super park and
brought into the super park and
brought into the super park and hopefully some of these things can be
hopefully some of these things can be
hopefully some of these things can be resurrected but when it comes to
resurrected but when it comes to
resurrected but when it comes to environmental impacts open pit mines
environmental impacts open pit mines
environmental impacts open pit mines like this huge uranium mine called
like this huge uranium mine called
like this huge uranium mine called Rossing are of a totally different
Rossing are of a totally different
Rossing are of a totally different magnitude yet you do have to recognize
magnitude yet you do have to recognize
magnitude yet you do have to recognize what the income means for the needs of
what the income means for the needs of
what the income means for the needs of Namibia’s developing economy but it also
Namibia’s developing economy but it also
Namibia’s developing economy but it also hurts to look out over this landscape
hurts to look out over this landscape
hurts to look out over this landscape and know that this is the site of
and know that this is the site of
and know that this is the site of another future of uranium mine situated
another future of uranium mine situated
another future of uranium mine situated just inside Namid now cleft national
just inside Namid now cleft national
just inside Namid now cleft national park and it’s led to serious discussions
park and it’s led to serious discussions
park and it’s led to serious discussions within the country it wasn’t that long
within the country it wasn’t that long
within the country it wasn’t that long ago that these people were the only ones
ago that these people were the only ones
ago that these people were the only ones roaming around in the Namib Desert
roaming around in the Namib Desert
roaming around in the Namib Desert hunter-gatherers who know themselves as
hunter-gatherers who know themselves as
hunter-gatherers who know themselves as son or a coon but we know them as
son or a coon but we know them as
son or a coon but we know them as Bushmen they left records of their lives
Bushmen they left records of their lives
Bushmen they left records of their lives on the rocks exquisite paintings of
on the rocks exquisite paintings of
on the rocks exquisite paintings of themselves we traveled to a place called
themselves we traveled to a place called
themselves we traveled to a place called twyfelfontein which features one of the
twyfelfontein which features one of the
twyfelfontein which features one of the greatest arrays of rock art in all of
greatest arrays of rock art in all of
greatest arrays of rock art in all of Africa and this is one of the most
Africa and this is one of the most
Africa and this is one of the most remarkable pieces known as the dancing
remarkable pieces known as the dancing
remarkable pieces known as the dancing kudu it shows a pregnant female kudu and
kudu it shows a pregnant female kudu and
kudu it shows a pregnant female kudu and this is the only known rock our
this is the only known rock our
this is the only known rock our believed to be created by women and done
believed to be created by women and done
believed to be created by women and done communally the kudu surrounded by
communally the kudu surrounded by
communally the kudu surrounded by circles that are believed the
circles that are believed the
circles that are believed the representations of lunar cycles it’s
representations of lunar cycles it’s
representations of lunar cycles it’s really quite a magnificent place some
really quite a magnificent place some
really quite a magnificent place some rock faces features great assemblages of
rock faces features great assemblages of
rock faces features great assemblages of animals this is a famous site but they
animals this is a famous site but they
animals this is a famous site but they only show up faintly by day so yeah we
only show up faintly by day so yeah we
only show up faintly by day so yeah we worked a lot after dark to illuminate
worked a lot after dark to illuminate
worked a lot after dark to illuminate the engravings that special lighting to
the engravings that special lighting to
the engravings that special lighting to make the details stand out better and
make the details stand out better and
make the details stand out better and when you shine lights right along the
when you shine lights right along the
when you shine lights right along the rock face it almost looks like the
rock face it almost looks like the
rock face it almost looks like the animals are leaping off the rock here
animals are leaping off the rock here
animals are leaping off the rock here what appears to be the paw of a lion has
what appears to be the paw of a lion has
what appears to be the paw of a lion has really been interpreted by
really been interpreted by
really been interpreted by anthropologist as a shame monistic
anthropologist as a shame monistic
anthropologist as a shame monistic symbol because it has toes like a human
symbol because it has toes like a human
symbol because it has toes like a human instead of claws like a cat and this is
instead of claws like a cat and this is
instead of claws like a cat and this is the panel known as lion man
the panel known as lion man
the panel known as lion man notice how the Lions tail ends in the
notice how the Lions tail ends in the
notice how the Lions tail ends in the same shamanistic footprint this is a
same shamanistic footprint this is a
same shamanistic footprint this is a unique feature I’ve never seen any other
unique feature I’ve never seen any other
unique feature I’ve never seen any other place that has quite those qualities now
place that has quite those qualities now
place that has quite those qualities now whenever I can I like to bi-level that
whenever I can I like to bi-level that
whenever I can I like to bi-level that the animals I photograph it makes my aim
the animals I photograph it makes my aim
the animals I photograph it makes my aim is it’s much more intimate no matter
is it’s much more intimate no matter
is it’s much more intimate no matter whether you’re looking at an ostrich
whether you’re looking at an ostrich
whether you’re looking at an ostrich with its dinosaur feet or a family of
with its dinosaur feet or a family of
with its dinosaur feet or a family of zebras or a wide rhino and a calf we
zebras or a wide rhino and a calf we
zebras or a wide rhino and a calf we arranged to spend time in a bunker
arranged to spend time in a bunker
arranged to spend time in a bunker constructed by researchers it’s shown
constructed by researchers it’s shown
constructed by researchers it’s shown here at the lower left it’s a concrete
here at the lower left it’s a concrete
here at the lower left it’s a concrete cube about 7 feet square sunk into the
cube about 7 feet square sunk into the
cube about 7 feet square sunk into the ground and with a pillbox slit for us to
ground and with a pillbox slit for us to
ground and with a pillbox slit for us to look out we slipped inside when no
look out we slipped inside when no
look out we slipped inside when no animals were around and here’s what
animals were around and here’s what
animals were around and here’s what happened
heavy iron live it sealed the center and
heavy iron live it sealed the center and from inside we had an amazing view of
from inside we had an amazing view of
from inside we had an amazing view of elephants
I’m so proud that I didn’t cuss on
I’m so proud that I didn’t cuss on camera elephants have their ways to let
camera elephants have their ways to let
camera elephants have their ways to let you know who’s in charge this is a scene
you know who’s in charge this is a scene
you know who’s in charge this is a scene from another day when I was outside the
from another day when I was outside the
from another day when I was outside the bunker I was lying across on the other
bunker I was lying across on the other
bunker I was lying across on the other side of the waterhole and I saw this
side of the waterhole and I saw this
side of the waterhole and I saw this elephant approach and scratching his
elephant approach and scratching his
elephant approach and scratching his hind feet with Chris inside so there
hind feet with Chris inside so there
hind feet with Chris inside so there scary moments when you do this fieldwork
scary moments when you do this fieldwork
scary moments when you do this fieldwork but if that’s the price of admission you
but if that’s the price of admission you
but if that’s the price of admission you have to pay to enter their world we
have to pay to enter their world we
have to pay to enter their world we gladly do that there our passion is to
gladly do that there our passion is to
gladly do that there our passion is to get out there and to bring back images
get out there and to bring back images
get out there and to bring back images and stories that convey intimacy like
and stories that convey intimacy like
and stories that convey intimacy like this female who is definitely aware of
this female who is definitely aware of
this female who is definitely aware of us she is somewhat wary but still not
us she is somewhat wary but still not
us she is somewhat wary but still not that concerned and an image like this
that concerned and an image like this
that concerned and an image like this that shows majesty and if we can make a
that shows majesty and if we can make a
that shows majesty and if we can make a little bit of a difference with what we
little bit of a difference with what we
little bit of a difference with what we do we’ll gladly get shaken up once in a
do we’ll gladly get shaken up once in a
do we’ll gladly get shaken up once in a while thank
”
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