Welwitschia Drive | Swakopmund

Welwitschia Drive is a self-drive circular route through the Namib-Naukluft National Park, starting approximately 40km east of Swakopmund. It is designed to showcase the unique "living fossil" plants and the stark geological transitions of the central Namib Desert.

Visual Characteristics

The drive traverses expansive gravel plains, rugged canyon systems, and white-quartz fields. The landscape shifts from flat, grey plains to the dramatic, eroded badlands of the Moon Landscape. The vegetation is dominated by the Welwitschia mirabilis, which appears as a tangled heap of split, leathery leaves anchored by a thick, woody stem. Lichen fields provide subtle patches of orange and black across the ground surface.

Location & Access Logistics

The route is approximately 50km long and takes roughly 4 hours to complete at a slow pace.

Permits: A mandatory permit from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) is required. This must be obtained in advance at the MEFT office in Swakopmund (Bismarck Street).

Route: The entrance is marked at the intersection of the C28 and the Welwitschia turn-off. The trail is numbered from 1 to 13, with each marker corresponding to a specific point of interest.

Vehicle: A high-clearance vehicle is recommended; a 4x4 is preferred, especially for the sandy sections of the Swakop River bed at the end of the loop.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The drive focuses on the Welwitschia mirabilis, an endemic gymnosperm first discovered by Austrian botanist Friedrich Welwitsch in 1859. These plants can live for over 1,500 years and possess only two leaves that grow continuously throughout their lifespan, becoming shredded by wind over time. Geologically, the route crosses the "Matchless Member" amphibolite belt and 500-million-year-old granite formations.

Key Highlights & Activities

Markers 1–6: Focus on lichen fields and the "Dollar Bush," which stores water in its thick leaves.

The Moon Landscape (Marker 8): A viewpoint overlooking the carved canyon of the Swakop River.

The Big Welwitschia (Marker 12): A fenced-off, exceptionally large specimen estimated to be approximately 1,500 years old.

The Von Francois Fort (Marker 11): Ruins of a small military outpost established in the 1890s.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There are no shops, fuel stations, or food vendors on the route. Goanikontes Oasis, located near the Moon Landscape, provides the only restaurant and restroom facilities. Most of the route is unshaded and exposed to high temperatures. Cellular signal is inconsistent, often only available near the high ridges overlooking the river valley.

Best Time to Visit

The route is open between sunrise and sunset. Early morning (07:00–10:00) is optimal for seeing the desert flora while it is still cool and potentially damp from coastal fog. Afternoon visits offer superior lighting for the Moon Landscape. Avoid midday in summer, as temperatures on the gravel plains can exceed 45°C.

Facts & Legends

A biological oddity is that the Welwitschia is dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female plants. A local tip: look for the Welwitschia Bug (Probergrothius angolensis), a red-and-black insect that lives almost exclusively on these plants. Do not drive off the marked tracks; the gravel plains are covered in ancient biological soil crusts that take decades to recover from tire damage.

Nearby Landmarks

Goanikontes Oasis – Situated at Marker 9

Swakopmund City Center – 40km West

Rossing Mine – 20km North

Husab Mine – 15km East

Khan River – 10km Northeast