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The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Want to experience the world's oldest desert? This how to do it
Dry waves crest and fall in an ever-shifting landscape, ebbing and flowing without water for the past 80 million years. Several trillion grains of sand extend for more than 2,000km along the coast of Namibia and into Angola, minuscule flecks forming an arid landmass larger than Scotland. At ground level, it's impossible to comprehend the size of the Namiba, the world 's oldest desert. The only way to appreciate its scale and magnificence is from the skies. Staring down from the window of a private plane, my gaze is a blur of shapes and shadows. Uninterrupted by any developments, raw wilderness stretches for hours. A popular road trip destination, one of Africa's least populated countries is increasingly being explored by light aircraft. I've joined an air adventure with Natural Selection, joining the dots between some of the country's most remote areas while enjoying the ever-changing landscapes which lie between. Taking off from Namibian capital and international entry point Windhoek, our six-seater flew 350km south to reach our first destination: the cayenne pepper-red dunes of Sossusvlei. One of only two lodges located in the private NamibRand Nature Reserve, Kwessi Dunes is our base for the next two nights. Recent rains – the first in five years – have carpeted sands with a bed of fine grasses and wildflowers. So vast and seemingly inhospitable, it's a miracle anything can live here. But driving towards the lodge we encounter a scattering of muscular-legged ostrich. On the horizon, a parade of hardy oryx marches in single file like soldiers heading into battle, their curved dagger-sharp horns piercing the falling sun. Connected by wooden walkways, 12 canvas and thatched air-conditioned chalets fan out around the base of dunes at Kwessi. An outdoor star bed provides an opportunity to drift off with a view of far-off galaxies. In the morning, trails and tracks criss-cross the sands, sketching out a report of the night's activity. Jackals, snakes, dung beetles and hairy-footed gerbils have all left their marks, while prey-seeking white dancing spiders have been busy weaving silk trapdoors in the sands. It's a 60-minute drive to reach some of the world's tallest dunes at Sossusvlei, but the benefits of sleeping far from the busy huddle of most tourist lodges far outweighs any journey time. More than 80% of staff at Kwessi come from the local community, including our guide Papa-G. Leading us on an hour-long hike along a lower slope of the biggest dune Big Daddy, he explains the geology of a dynamic landscape shaped by winds, river flows and time. Sliding down shifting slopes, we end in Deadvlei – a brilliant white silt pan dotted with the skeletons decaying trees. Estimating their age, Papa-G suggests they could be 1,000 years old. In a place where life and death happens slowly, it's likely they'll be here for 1,000 years more. Flying between destinations is a faster and more convenient than travelling by road. It's also a better way to understand the environment. Returning to our plane, we head north towards the ephemeral riverbeds of the Hoanib Valley. Below us, the land is pock-marked by a hundreds of unexplained depressions known as 'fairy circles'. Theories range from remnants of poisonous plant forests to the intervention of aliens. The most plausible explanation to date is a survival technique used by grasses to create an open area for allowing rains to soak into the ground and feed their roots. As we continue our journey, colours fade from burning reds to glowing golds and the forks of dried waterways extend like the elaborate root systems of a dense forest. Sheltered by tall quartz-speckled mountains, the tiny tented Hoanib Valley Camp is a homely human oasis in a place where desert-adapted species have learned to thrive. Due to recent rains, many animals have dispersed. Debris wrapped around the base of thick ana trees indicates the swell of water which recently passed through, strong enough to carry a car away. But during a morning drive, we do run into one of the few lions roaming between here and the ocean, only 42km away. Not seen for four months, a herd of elephants also returns during our stay. Leaving a trail of dust in their wake, these mighty creatures appear even more majestic against shimmering rose-hued peaks. It's not only animals that have found clever ways to live in a desert environment. A 90-minute drive from camp, a small group of Himba people have set up a small village. Natural Selection has forged a relationship with the community, providing them with assistance and resources. As part of the agreement, guests are also welcome to visit. Only the women are at home when we arrive. Covered head-to-toe in a thick ochre paste used as both decoration and a protection against the sun, they all wear slightly different hairstyles and headwear pertaining to their age status. Goat skin skirts hang around their waists and beaded ankle guards protect against snake bites. Powerful and confident, the women take great pride in their appearances, using burning incense as a means of washing in place of water. 'Village visits' can too often feel uncomfortable and contrived. But there are no pained performances during our stay. And when the women sing and dance below a setting moon as we wave goodbye, they laugh with genuine joy. The final stop on our aerial tour is the Skeleton Coast, a beautifully desolate coastline littered with whale bones and the rusting debris of vessels caught off-course by treacherous waters and thick blankets of fog. The appropriately named Shipwreck Lodge pays homage to valiant explorers and seafaring souls. One motto daubed onto the porthole shutters of rooms reads: 'Not all those who wander are lost.' Large windows of the ten cabins gaze out to the Atlantic Ocean. Behind us, amber-tinted dunes roll into infinity. So much of Namibia 's geography is shaped by extremes, pushing any living creature to its limits. Whether by air, sea or land – opportunities for exploration are endless. On every level, it defies imagination, reaching far beyond the boundaries of our human minds.
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Why ballast-less T-Track technology is ideal for Oman?
The harsh desert environments of Oman and the broader Arabian Peninsula present distinct challenges for railway infrastructure. Wind-blown sand, extreme temperatures, and limited maintenance access create conditions in which conventional ballast-based track systems rapidly deteriorate and become unsustainable. In this context, ballast-less T-Track technology emerges as a highly suitable and proven solution. This system has already demonstrated remarkable success in Namibia, where it was used to upgrade railway infrastructure in the Namib Desert—the oldest desert in the world. One of the primary advantages of T-Track technology is its elimination of ballast and related vulnerabilities. In desert conditions, traditional ballasted tracks are prone to sand infiltration, which fills the voids between ballast stones, compromises track stability, and renders essential maintenance activities such as tamping ineffective. Furthermore, during intense sandstorms, the ballast itself can be displaced or blown away entirely, leaving rails unsupported and hazardous. T-Track completely avoids these issues by removing the need for ballast altogether. The design of T-Track is both robust and innovative. It comprises prefabricated, twin steel-reinforced concrete beams linked by galvanized steel tie bars at carefully engineered intervals. The rails are fastened using proven Pandrol or Vossloh clip systems, with resilience provided by a continuous rubber-bonded cork strip placed underneath. The result is an integrated system that maintains fixed vertical and horizontal geometry, dramatically reducing the need for maintenance and ensuring long-term operational reliability. Moreover, the absence of sleepers and the elimination of tamping requirements further reduce life-cycle maintenance costs and simplify track management. T-Track is specifically engineered to meet defined axle loads and train speeds. The substructure and formation layers are an integral part of the system's overall design, delivering continuous support and reducing rail stress. This allows for the use of reduced rail sizes, which can lead to material savings without compromising safety or performance. T-Track's modular components also allow for rapid and simplified construction, significantly reducing labor and time costs. Its adaptability makes it well-suited for diverse rail infrastructure, including tunnels, turnouts, low-lying flood-prone zones, mining yards, and passenger platforms. The success of T-Track in Namibia underscores its durability and effectiveness in some of the most unforgiving conditions on earth. The system has operated there for over three decades without a single reported issue related to its fastening mechanisms. In addition, ongoing research—such as that conducted by the University of South Africa—continues to refine and enhance the system's performance and economic benefits. For Oman, the adoption of T-Track technology represents an opportunity to develop a future-proof rail network that withstands the challenges of desert terrain while minimizing maintenance burdens and operational disruptions. T- Track technology can also be transferred to the proposed Oman Rail Institute for future track construction here in the Sultanate. Given the country's shared environmental conditions with regions like Namibia and Saudi Arabia, where T-Track's performance has been validated, its application in Oman is both logical and strategic. T-Track eliminates many of the pitfalls associated with ballast systems, allowing rail authorities to redirect focus toward operational excellence and strategic expansion. In conclusion, ballast-less T-Track technology offers Oman a resilient, low-maintenance, and economically viable alternative to conventional railway systems. Its proven success in desert environments makes it an ideal choice for building and sustaining a modern, efficient rail network in the Arabian Peninsula. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
