Tsau // Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park

„Sperrgebiet“ is the German word for „prohibited area“ and quite an unusual name for a national park. Situated in the diamond-rich area of the southern Namib Desert in Namibia it also used to be called Diamond Area 1.

Until the early 21st centrury access by unauthorized people to this area was strictly prohibited. Major diamond discoveries led to the German colonial government’s closing of the area around the port of Lüderitz. It was formerly opened as a National Park not long ago in February 2009.

The diamonds of this National Park were deposited by the Orange River and are covered by about 15 meters of sand. A remarkably high number of these diamonds are of gem quality. Currently offshore mining is increasing and the inland deposits might be exhausted by 2020.

Thanks to the strict visitation rules large parts of the Sperrgebiet area remained untouched and are described as one of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots by conservation scientists. This honour is earned principally by the numerous rare and endemic species of succulents found in the 26 000 square kilometers of dunes and mountains. It supports more species of succulents than any other place on earth.

The National Park is a great opportunity to explore this beautiful wild landscape, however, it is still largely undeveloped and some parts remain inaccessible to visitors.

Xandi

Image Credits: http://bit.ly/2ar1d2vhttp://bit.ly/2ahUZMZ Sources: https://www.britannica.com/place/Sperrgebiethttp://bit.ly/2aOhluthttp://www.namibweb.com/sperrgebiet-national-park.pdf

(Source: facebook.com)