The Moon Landscape carries a kind of hushed wonder, a world shaped over millions of years by wind, water, and volcanic event. On this guided tour, we begin along the Swakop River, where black dolerite rocks shimmer under the sun and “musical stones” produce soft ringing tones when struck, nature’s own hidden instruments.
Here you will also be introduced to the hardy desert plants that define this region, including the remarkable !Nara, an indigenous plant deeply connected to the traditional knowledge and survival of desert communities. As we move further into the landscape, we encounter more quiet marvels: delicate desert lichens forming slow-growing tapestries of colour across stone, and the ancient Welwitschia mirabilis, a plant as old as the desert itself, living for hundreds, even thousands, of years.
The scenery shifts as we reach the heart of the Moon Landscape, an expanse of softly eroded valleys and hills that resemble the surface of another world. Standing among it, you understand why early explorers were awed into silence.
We end our journey at the Goanikontes Oasis, a green, shaded refuge in the middle of the desert, a perfect place to rest, breathe, and take in the contrast of life thriving where it seems impossible.
This is not a tour of spectacle, but of quiet discovery, a reminder that the desert is full of life, history, and gentle wonders for those who take the time to look.
Highlights
Geological formations: black dolerite & musical stones
Indigenous desert plants: !Nara, Welwitschia mirabilis & desert lichens
The surreal landscapes of the Moon Valley
Final stop at the peaceful Goanikontes Oasis
