BlutkuppeNamib Naukluft national park, Namibia
Blutkuppe of Namib Naukluft national park as seen from a hill next to it1
A large dome shaped - granite inselberg in the Namib Naukluft national park — known for having a blood red colour at dusk, though appears normal during the rest of the day.
It is about 1.4 km long, 700 m wide and over 80 m high, and gets its characteristic colour from a high composition of biotite.
Also known as 'Bloed koppie', which is Afrikaans for 'Blood hill', and has few trees, shrubs and grass growing on it as well as caves on its sides.
Originally formed through volcanic activity, then further shaped through erosion and exfoliation, as temperature fluctuations of the Namib desert caused it to shed its outer layers.
Today, it is a popular hiking spot — with the top giving amazing views of the surrounding scenery, which usually contains a few quiver trees, animals, vast open spaces with mountains in the distance.
Around it are several campsites, using rocks and caves as partial shelter.
What to do thereSight seeing, hiking, camping, game viewing, climb to its top for views of the surroundings.
What to do thereAny time of the year, preferably at dusk just before camping there.
Location of BlutkuppeWithin the Namib desert and on the northern end of Namib Naukluft national park.
How to get thereBy road, about a two hour drive east of Walvis bay, where there is an airport, harbour and train station.
References1. By Joachim Huber, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22486611
It is about 1.4 km long, 700 m wide and over 80 m high, and gets its characteristic colour from a high composition of biotite.
Also known as 'Bloed koppie', which is Afrikaans for 'Blood hill', and has few trees, shrubs and grass growing on it as well as caves on its sides.
Originally formed through volcanic activity, then further shaped through erosion and exfoliation, as temperature fluctuations of the Namib desert caused it to shed its outer layers.
Today, it is a popular hiking spot — with the top giving amazing views of the surrounding scenery, which usually contains a few quiver trees, animals, vast open spaces with mountains in the distance.
Around it are several campsites, using rocks and caves as partial shelter.
What to do thereSight seeing, hiking, camping, game viewing, climb to its top for views of the surroundings.
What to do thereAny time of the year, preferably at dusk just before camping there.
Location of BlutkuppeWithin the Namib desert and on the northern end of Namib Naukluft national park.
How to get thereBy road, about a two hour drive east of Walvis bay, where there is an airport, harbour and train station.
References1. By Joachim Huber, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22486611
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