The first exotic animal we saw on our recent trip to southern Africa were oryx in the Namib Desert.
We drove on deserted and bad (and I mean really bad ) roads to Sossusvlei. The country is dry as a bone and empty of life. It’s stark, and forbiddingly beautiful.
We settled in to our cabin. When we looked out the door, we were surprised and exited to see a couple oryx in the back, just a few meters away.
The next morning we got up early to beat the worst of the sun’s heat and hike in to Deadvlei, a forest that petrified a thousand years ago.
Tourists come to climb the sand dunes.
Early morning is also a good time to spot oryx as they forage for plants and whatever dew has collected. The oryx is one of the few species that actually lives here year round. Oryx can go for long periods without water. Both males and females grow horns that they don’t shed. It’s the official national animal of Namibia.
Their marks are striking, aren’t they? In such a sere landscape, their horns and stripes both stood out and blended perfectly with the scenery. We would see them again, gathered with other animals at watering holes in national parks. But Sossusvlei was the place where we got to observe oryx the closest, and on their own. What a great introduction to the wildlife of Namibia!
NOTES: ©2024 Jadi Campbell. Photos ©2023 Uwe Hartmann. Uwe’s photography and his photos of our trips can be viewed at viewpics.de.
My books are Broken In: A Novel in Stories, Tsunami Cowboys, Grounded and The Trail Back Out.
Click here for my author page to learn more about me and purchase my books.
Very nice pictures.
Thanks to my husband!
Such a beautiful animal but I can’t figure out the use of those wonderful horns. They angle so far backwards that they can’t be used for protection, can they?
a question for an evolutionary science researcher!
Oh fabulous! The landscape is amazing, but seeing the oryx must have been a real highlight. Wonderful photos Jadi.
Alison
Uwe was in photographer heaven there!
It’s amazing any animal can survive in that desert!
What a wonderful introduction to Namibia.
Love, love, love the beautiful and majestic oryx. Having one right outside you cabin is such an amazing gift!!
First of all, your trip to Namibia is an event because of those desolate landscapes that preserve the beauty of the deserts. With the great photographs that you have attached, they clearly say that it was a wonderful vacation. On the other hand, your award-winning books are a consequence of your enormous talent as a first-class writer and photographer. My sincerest congratulations. A big hug Jadi.