Mineral Tour from Swakopmund around the Rossing Mountain

Depart from Swakopmund and travel north in the direction of the Rossing Mountain. En route experience the harsh and rugged landscape of the Namib Desert which is considered to be the oldest desert of the world. Your guide will explain the origin and geological and climatic conditions of this coastal desert. As we proceed further we leave every trace of civilisation behind and find ourselves surrounded by the rugged and rocky scenery of the Namib Desert.

Stop at a former Aragonite-mine where green marble used to be mined. Your guide will explain the origin and characteristics of the minerals that occur on this tour. Study some calcium druses (crusts of crystals lining rock-cavities) which occur at the mine. Afterwards proceed to a rose quartz mine as well as a rock outcrop where aragonite, manganese (dendrite) rock and red jasper can be seen. Plant growth on the mountain like Common Candle Bush, Euphorbia virosa and a variety of endemic Lichen are also of great interest.