Termite hill in Namibia

This photo captures a scene that can only occur in a country like Namibia - a termite hill emerging in the middle of a road in a matter of just a few days.

Built from sand, saliva and dung, termite hills are earthy apartment blocks for the small industrious insects that play an important role in the ecosystem by clearing the landscape of dead and rotting wood. The (Macrotermes) termites have over the aeons mastered perfect housing-construction, utilising natural air-conditioning to cool the interior of their homes and maintain a constant temperature in Namibia’s sweltering heat.

We presume that this termite hill near Outjo must have provided a bit of an obstacle and prompted many comments and laughs as motorists negotiated their way around it.