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Tsauchab River , Deadvlei , What makes Deadvlei so unique? , Uncategorized , sossusvlei , namib desert , This blog post provides a descriptive background o , Namib Desert Lodge , Namib Desert Lodge , Namibia Travel Tips

What makes Deadvlei in Namibia so unique?

By Bernd Grahl
March 31, 2017

This natural phenomenon can be found close to Sossusvlei, where the Namib Desert is in full control of the environment.

 

Deadvlei - Image: en.wikipedia.org Deadvlei - Image: en.wikipedia.org

 

First off, let’s take a look at the name, ‘Deadvlei’. So, true to the Namlish culture, this name is a combination of the English word ‘dead’ – obviously – and the Afrikaans word ‘vlei’, which means marsh.

 

Deadvlei follow markers - Image: http://www.roamfarandwide.com Deadvlei follow markers - Image: http://www.roamfarandwide.com

 

Essentially this place is called the dead marsh. Why? Simply because it used to be a marsh filled with water that has, over time, dried out and left a nice white clay pan in its place.

 

Deadvlei - Image: http://seattlestravels.com Deadvlei - Image: http://seattlestravels.com

 

Now picture a dry, white clay pan set into the rich, fiery orange of the Namib desert…it makes for quite a contrast.

 

"Deadvlei salt pan" - Image: http://travelspirit333.com "Deadvlei salt pan" - Image: http://travelspirit333.com

 

It is assumed that the clay pan formed over a thousand years ago. Apparently, the Tsauchab River would flood after heavy rainfall and form shallow pools of water.

 

"Former oasis" - Image: http://ripper.blogspot.com "Former oasis" - Image: http://ripper.blogspot.com

 

These pools or rather, marshes, allowed camel thorn trees to grow in their midst. However, after 200 years the area’s climate shifted and a drought set in.

The sand dunes that steadily began to fill the area, quickly blocked off the Tsauchab River along with any other possible water sources.

 

Image: http://www.mnn.com Image: http://www.mnn.com

 

No water, obviously means no survival for the trees that had grown in that area. But they stuck around nonetheless. The climatic change was so harsh that the trees dried out, instead of decomposing.

 

Blackened state Image: http://www.360doc.com

 

The sun helped the process along by scorching the wood and immortalizing the trees in their blackened state.

 

Deadvlei - Image: Pinterest Deadvlei - Image: Pinterest

 

When you look over the marsh now, all you see are the blackened remains of the trees. Quite a sight in its own right, especially so if you consider that the trees are 900 years old.

 

"Curved trees" - Image: http://ciapannaphoto.wordpress.com "Curved trees" - Image: http://ciapannaphoto.wordpress.com

 

The dunes surrounding Deadvlei add to the astonishing sight, as they reach up to almost 400 metres.

 

Image: http://wild-wings-safaris.com Image: http://wild-wings-safaris.com

 

 

Image: www.bemytravelmuse.com Image: www.bemytravelmuse.com

 

This is definitely a sight to add to your Namibian Bucket list! Check out Namibia Desert Lodge as base from which to explore Deadvlei.

 

If you have an interesting Deadvlei story or experience, please share it with us in the comment section below.

 

Author – Jescey Visagie is a proud Namibian and is passionate about writing and language. Tag along for the ride as she tries to uncover new insights into Namibia and explores what the country has to offer.

 

Jescey Visagie

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Bernd Grahl

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