The Namib Desert is the oldest in the world. TF1 met French people who went to climb its red dunes, the highest in the world. The region also has a major wildlife reserve, populated by hundreds of oryx.
“Getting up early and arriving at night, like that, it’s great.” In front of the TF1 cameras, a family from Grenoble begins early in the morning the ascent of the highest dunes in the world, those of the Namib desert (Namibia), characterized by their red color. These French tourists do not regret having made the trip: “It’s really the complete opposite of what we see at home, so it’s quite incredible.”a young woman enthuses.
Wildlife is making a comeback
A little further on, where the desert meets the mountain, lies the largest private wildlife reserve in the country: Namibrand. It was created 30 years ago, when several farms were bought up, with the aim of encouraging the return of wildlife that had deserted the region. “Many animals had disappeared because of the farms,” says Elton Vries, who works for Namibrand. “But now, thanks to land restoration, many of these animals are coming back.”
“The goal of the reserve is that future generations can continue to see oryx for hundreds, thousands of years.”hammers Elton Vries. Since the creation of Namibrand, hundreds of oryx, bovids from the antelope family, have made their return. And this, despite the lack of water: in this desert, it has not rained for two years.
IM | Report by Linda HURÉ and Frédéric LARREY
