Visit fairy circles alongside experts
Gondwana Collection Namibia will be hosting fairy circle expert professor Norbert Jürgens in the Namib Desert at the end of March, and interested parties can partake in the excursion during which questions about their mysteries will be pursued.The excursion will be led by Jürgens, who has been systematically researching the phenomenon since 2008.
He published his much-discussed explanation in the renowned scientific journal Science in 2013: "Sand termites create, use and maintain the fairy circles as sustainable desert farms, with underground water reservoirs and grass fields," he wrote.
Ask, and they will answer
Together with termite specialist Felicitas Gunter from the University of Hamburg, Jürgens will introduce the Namib Desert ecosystem and explain fascinating aspects of the fairy circle phenomenon.
"Where do you find moisture in a dune landscape? Why are the fairy circles often surrounded by a ring of tall, strong grass plants – the so-called luxury belt? How is a fairy circle created, how does it grow, how does it 'die' and how old does it become?" are some of the questions that will be answered.
With a bit of luck, participants of the excursion can observe sand termites in action as Jürgens and Gunter try to lure them to the surface with a trick.
Participants will also visit one of the nine fairy circle sites in Namibia, where Jürgens has been systematically collecting data since 2008.
Details of the excursion
The excursion to the fairy circles in the Namib Desert will take place on 25 and 26 March, in the Gondwana Namib Park south of Solitaire, with dinner, bed and breakfast at the Namib Desert Lodge.
In game-viewing vehicles with nine seats each, participants will travel to the Namib dunes on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning to explore the fairy circles.
Bookings close on 23 March 2023. More information about the excursion to the fairy circles can be found at https://gondwana-collection.com/promotions-namibia. Bookings can be made at [email protected]