Travel

Photo story: a portrait of Namibia's Kunene region, home to desert wildlife and star-studded skies

In the country’s northwestern corner is Kunene, a region of vast desertscapes formed tens of millions of years ago. Here, animals and people have adapted to live in some of Africa’s harshest conditions, thriving in a landscape that offers few resources.

Published October 27, 2022

6 min read

This article was adapted from National Geographic Traveller (UK)

Sprawling for almost 43,000sq miles and with an average of just two residents per square mile, the Kunene region is one of the remotest and most sparsely populated regions in southern Africa. With few fences and roads, these empty, expansive landscapes are a spectacular destination for self-drive explorers, although a 4x4 is required for the notoriously rocky roads. A map and GPS unit are mandatory, too, as getting lost here can have deathly consequences.Sprawling for almost 43,000sq miles and with an average of just two residents per square mile, the Kunene region is one of the remotest and most sparsely populated regions in southern Africa. With few fences and roads, these empty, expansive landscapes are a spectacular destination for self-drive explorers, although a 4x4 is required for the notoriously rocky roads. A map and GPS unit are mandatory, too, as getting lost here can have deathly consequences.

Photograph by Scott Ramsay

Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

Kunene is home to some of the last free-roaming wildlife populations in southern Africa. Desert-adapted wild animals thrive here — chief among them the Gemsbok antelope. The hardy beasts have adapted to their environment so well that they never need to drink, sourcing all their water from wild fruit or tubers buried deep in the earth instead. They have a unique ability to raise their body temperature beyond the surrounding environment to give off excess heat, while a cooling system in their nasal cavity — called a carotid rete — cools the blood from the heart before it enters their brain. Kunene is home to some of the last free-roaming wildlife populations in southern Africa. Desert-adapted wild animals thrive here — chief among them the Gemsbok antelope. The hardy beasts have adapted to their environment so well that they never need to drink, sourcing all their water from wild fruit or tubers buried deep in the earth instead. They have a unique ability to raise their body temperature beyond the surrounding environment to give off excess heat, while a cooling system in their nasal cavity — called a carotid rete — cools the blood from the heart before it enters their brain.

Photograph by Scott Ramsay

Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

Published in the October 2022 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)⁠

Sign up to our newsletter and follow us on social media:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Photo story: a portrait of Namibia's Kunene region, home to desert wildlife and star-studded skies

Read This Next

Go Further

Animals

Environment

History & Culture

Science

Travel

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Legal

Our Sites

Join Us

Read This Next

AI can help you plan your next trip—if you know how to ask.

Did this mysterious human relative bury its dead?

This new birth control for cats doesn't require surgery

How the Zoot Suit Riots changed America

Go Further

Animals

Environment

History & Culture

Science

Travel

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Legal

Our Sites

Join Us

Follow us