Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Desert Dragon’s Breath Cave

Dragon’s Breath Cave beneath the Kalahari Desert of Namibia


Dragon Breath Cave is aptly named because of the humid air that rises from its 200 feet shaft opening. Cave diving Dragons breath is only open for professional and well-resourced cavers.

Dragon Breath Cave is located near the mining town of Tsumeb Namibia.

Dragon’s Breath Cave is the largest underground lake in the world and is located in the Southern African country of Namibia. Dragon Breath Cave is located near the mining town of Tsumeb Namibia. 

Dragon Breath Cave is actually a sinkhole with rocky, vertical sides beneath the Kalahari Desert. Dragon Breath Cave is located near the mining town of Tsumeb Namibia. 

Beneath the Kalahari Desert of Namibia lays the world’s largest lake not formed by a glacier. Namibia is the 2nd least populated country in the world and is not generally associated with cave diving. 

The truth is, the Kalahari is not a true desert as it receives too much rain, but it is actually a fossil desert. The Kalahari Desert stretches across seven African countries of Angola, Botswana a Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The Namibian section of the Kalahari Desert is covered with trees and seasonal waterways due to regular rainfall. 
 
Cave diving Dragons breath is only open for professional and well-resourced cavers since in order to dive permission is required from the property owners, access is difficult at times using remote operating vehicles (ROV) or climbing, ropes, narrow tunnels and ledges followed by a drop from the roof of a vast cavern in order to finally reach the water. 

Once there, cave diving inside Dragons Breath is like diving down into a deep pitch-black abyss submerging in another world. 
 
Dragon Breath Cave is actually a sinkhole with rocky, vertical sides beneath the Kalahari Desert. The waters of the cave, where no light penetrates its surface the rare cavefish, the golden catfish living in the isolated underground lake of Dragon's Breath Cave is very much at home. 

Like most cavefish, the golden catfish has small eyes, poor hearing, and very little color appearing almost white having adapted to the extreme darkness. 

Dragon's Breath Cave discovery was made in 1986 by a group of scientists. Dragon Breath Cave is aptly named because of the humid air that rises from its 200 feet shaft opening.

Dragon Breath Cave is 2 hectares or 5-acre size laying in pitch blackness.

The depth of the cave is unknown but is estimated as having 40 million cubic feet of fossil water which is a space of 631 feet; nearly 2 ½ football fields can fit comfortably inside the cave.  

More Articles to Read ♛♛♛

Show more

This Week’s Best Posts and Pages

May the Devil Take Yours Bones: Curses in Tanzania

Image
To ward off curses, witchcraft and evil spirits, the use of protective symbols such as wearing or hanging a talisman called Gurudumu is common practice. In Tanzania, witchcraft superstitions are deeply rooted in the cultural beliefs and traditions. Witchcraft superstitions such as albino witchcraft and curses are powerful beliefs throughout certain parts of Tanzania. A talisman called Gurudumu. Albino Curses and Witchcraft in Tanzania. There is a strong belief in the existence of albino witches who are thought to possess magical powers. This belief has unfortunately led to the persecution and violence against albinos, as some people seek their body parts for use in witchcraft rituals. Some traditional beliefs and superstitions associate albinism with supernatural or magical powers. This misconception fuels the demand for albino body parts, as they are believed to possess mystical properties that can bring wealth, success, or protection from harm. In certain communities, there is a bel
Read the Article

Top Dog Breed in Africa the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Image
History and enduring popularity of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, a remarkable African breed of dog. Learn about the Rhodesian Ridgeback origins in southern Africa to its rise in prominence among European settlers in Rhodesia, this unique canine possesses a captivating blend of courage, strength, and loyalty. Discover why the Rhodesian Ridgeback has become a beloved companion and versatile working dog, both in its native Africa and around the world. Uncover the secrets behind its distinctive ridge and the traits that have made it a sought-after breed, ensuring its enduring popularity. Rhodesian Ridgeback The captivating history of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, a true symbol of African heritage and excellence. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a distinctive breed of dog that originated in southern Africa, particularly in what is now known as Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia). The history of the Rhodesian Ridgeback dates back several centuries and is intertwined with the exploration, colonization, and develop
Read the Article

Using Amen and Ashe or Ase

Image
Usage of Amen and Ashe or Ase Ashe to Amen learn about the custom of using the words Ashe and Amen historically. Where did the word Amen and Ashe come from why is it said and what does it mean? In Judaism, 3,500 years old and Christian religions 2,000 years old, Amen, means may it be so. In the African Yoruba language among the Yoruba people whose culture is as old as time, Ashe or Ase means may it be so. Ase or Ashe means power, commandment, and authority, the ability to make whatever one says happen from the spiritual to the physical realm. In the Yoruba language, Ashe is omnipresent spiritual energy. Followers of Judaism and Christian religions use the word Amen. It is the word utilized to end prayers as an affirmation for the requests to be provided by God. Yoruba is as old as time, Ashe refers to the life force within all living things, the spark that animates life. It is used as a term used in the same manner as Amen at the end of appeals and prayers as an affirmati
Read the Article

What is the difference between ugali and fufu

Image
How to make the popular African recipes Ugali and Fufu and what is the difference.  Ugali is a starch dish in Kenya and Tanzania made of fine cornmeal cooked in boiling water into a soft dough. Fufu is a thick, dough-like West African food made by boiling then pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava or a mixture of starchy vegetables. The main difference between fufu and ugali is fufu is boiled first then pounded while ugali is simply boiled. Ugali recipe. Easy Ugali Recipe Prep time 5 minutes Cook time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes Ingredients 4 cups finely ground cornmeal 8 cups water Directions Heat water to boiling in a saucepan. Slowly pour cornmeal into boiling water stirring continuously. Add more cornmeal if necessary until it is thick as soft bread dough. Serve immediately with vegetables, stew, or any dish you would use a spoon with to soak up the sauce, ugali is purposely bland tasting on its own. What is the difference between ugali and
Read the Article