Namib Skeleton Coast

The world's oldest desert meets the Atlantic Ocean on the western shores of Namibia, creating one of the world's largest game parks - home to hyenas, leopards, baboons, bat-eared foxes and many other creatures. Along with Skeleton Coast National Park to the north, the Namib-Naukluft preserves nearly the entire coastline of this African country. A popular spot for tourism is Sossusvlei, an enormous salt and clay pan ringed by high red dunes. You'll need a four-wheel drive vehicle to get there, but it's worth the trip to visit "Big Daddy," the highest dune at around 1,065 feet tall.