The central desert plains are the heart of Iona: wide, exposed country between the Atlantic side of the park and the eastern escarpment. This is where the scale of the place hits hardest. The horizon is huge, vegetation is sparse, and the light can make the land look almost metallic.
Wildlife sightings are possible rather than guaranteed. Oryx, springbok, zebra, ostrich, jackal, and desert birds may appear, but the real experience is space and silence. Drive slowly, keep to existing tracks, and do not underestimate how far you are from help.