Namibia

Having the world's oldest desert, the highest sand dunes, and one of the most notorious coasts to shippers (the 'Skeleton Coast'), Namibia is one of the world's newest independent republics. Previously known as South West Africa, Namibia was a German protectorate up until WW1, when it came under the administration of South Africa. The German heritage is still evident in the architecture and place names (Luderitz, Swakopmund) and in the dress of the Herrero tribe womenfolk, who still copy the dress of the 19th century German missionary wives. The country has large stocks of diamonds, copper, uranium, tin, silver and other minerals, and these, plus the more traditional stock raising and fishing underpin the economy. Namibia appears to the visitor huge and empty. The largely desert-like landscape offers some stunning scenery. The Fish River Canyon in the south, Etosha National Park in the north and the Fish River Canyon
Fish River Canyon is the largest canyon in Africa and the second largest in the world (161 kilometres in length, 27 kilometres wide, with a drop from the rim of over 500 metres). The views from the many view points are spectacular. The Fish River itself does not flow every year but when it does, it appears suddenly and with force. During the winter months it is reduced to a few pools. There is a hiking trail along the bottom – some 86 kilometres long, it takes about 5 days to complete and ends in Ai-Ais (hot springs) but it is only accessible at certain times of the year.

Etosha National Park
Etosha is one of the largest game parks in Africa, at some 22,270 sq kilometres in area surrounding a central salt pan. The local Ovambo people named Etosha – as 'huge white area' or 'place of dry water'. In the dry season the Pan is an inhospitable lifeless place where salt crystals reflect the sun to form mirages. During the rains however, the Pan changes completely: birds, especially flamingos, flock to it and the land blooms. There are 144 mammal species in the park including the ‘Big 5’ and game viewing at one of the waterholes can be both relaxing and enjoyable.

Namib-Naukluft Park
Namibia’s largest National Park - at 23,000 sq kilometres, the fourth largest nature conservation area in the world - lies within the Namib Desert which stretches from the Orange River in the south to the Kunene River in the north (border of Angola). The Nama people call it, appropriately : ‘Namib’ – meaning ‘vast’.
Within its borders, the landscape varies from mountain, canyon and gorges to desert plains, lagoons and sand dunes. The main areas are Sossusvlei, the lagoon at Sandwich harbour, and the Naukluft Park.

Sossusvlei and Sesriem canyon
Sossusvlei is a dusty clay pan overlooked by hundreds of towering sand dunes up to 300 metres high. The dunes vary from pale apricot to vivid reds and bright orange. The most famous one is undoubtedly Dune 45. It is best to climb it in the early hours and watch the sunrise from the top.
Sesriem canyon is a small canyon which used to be an important water source for the early explorers and settlers. They used to lower buckets into the Tsauchab River with six thongs from where the Afriikaans name ‘Ses Riem’ derives. You can take a walk in the canyon where you will find a variety of bird, insects and lizards.

Swakopmund
Namibia’s second largest town looks like as if it had been ‘cut and pasted’ from Germany into Namibia. The architecture of the town, wedged between the desert and the ocean is redolent of its German colonial past. But Swakopmund has a relaxed atmosphere with pleasant promenades, palm trees and gardens and there is plenty to do here. Walk around town – see the pier, lighthouse, the former train station, the Hansa brewery or the Ethnology and Natural History Museum. At night, head to one of the many bars and restaurants or the casino.

Swakopmund has also become Namibia’s adventure capital and there is an array of activities on offer: sand boarding, quadbiking, camel rides, offroad driving, sky diving and desert horse riding.

Windhoek
Namibia’s capital Windhoek (meaning ‘windy corner’ in Afrikaans) is an interesting mix of modern city and colonial past. It sits at 1650 metres above sea level and is Namibia’s largest city with 15,000 inhabitants. The German influence is still visible and German widely spoken. Local highlights are Christuskirche (German Lutheran church), the Alte Feste (old fort) and State Museum, and the Tintenpalast (ink palace) the parliament.
If you happen to be there in October or April, you may experience German culture in form of the Oktoberfest (beer festival) or the Windhoek Carnival.
dunes of the Namib-Naukluft desert are the main points of interest.

Tours that visit Namibia:

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