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Succulent Karoo

Situated at Aus and extending southwards, the Succulent Karoo is mainly a winter-rainfall area. Bizarre-looking shrubs store moisture in their leaves and stems to tide them over the dry times.

The Succulent Karoo is the most plant-diverse desert in the world and has been listed as one of the world’s 25 global biodiversity 'hotspots'. Although these floral wonders are at their best after the rains, they are well worth investigating throughout the year. Lüderitz provides a fascinating breakaway, its harsh, minimalistic landscape resembling that of an island. In the vicinity one can hear and see African penguins as they go about their activities, and on a visit to the ghost diamond mining town of Kolmanskop one wonders at the lives of the past inhabitants of this desert settlement.

Nearby routes

Caprivi Wetlands Paradise Route

Namibia: Caprivi, a thin strip of land in the north-east of Namibia, lies in the centre of Southern Africa. It is bordered by Angola, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Three perennial rivers cross Caprivi, making it a wetland paradise full of animals and birds.

Four Deserts Route

The Four Deserts Route covers the entire south, from the Orange River to the Tropic of Capricorn. The route is not a single road linking four great deserts, but rather represents a variety of enterprises - accommodation and other tourist services - found in the vicinity of these attractions.

Nama Padloper Route

The route has an abundance of natural attractions with unique landscapes and a diverse range of fauna and flora. Most of the route falls within the Succulent Karoo Biome whilst the area east of the Fish River falls in the Nama Karoo Biome.