Namibia

Namibia is one of the world's most arid and most beautiful countries. A nation only since 1990 it has become famous for its stark beauty, spectacular desert ecosystem , diversity of tribes and captivating scenery. It is said by local Namibians that when God made this country he did so in anger. The vast Namib desert occupies much of the territory and bequeathed the nation its name. To the north and east of the sandy wilderness lie rocky deserts with moonscapes , and dry thornveld savanna. Where the Namib desert meets the cold Atlantic Ocean , unusual weather conditions prevail and the resultant mist and fog in the early mornings brings life - giving moisture to sustain the wide variety of the desert creatures. The Skeleton Coast is the treacherous stretch of coastline to the north of Swakopmund. The Orange River forms the border with South Africa , and the Kunene and Kavango Rivers run along the northern frontier. In between there is precious little water at all.


Best Time to Visit

Winter ( May - September ) is the best time to visit the game parks and the central and northern regions when the days are warm with clear skies and the nights are cold.

Facilities

The infrastructure in most of Namibia makes it a great destination for tourists. Whether you fly in or drive through, you are sure to be taken aback by the extreme landscapes and beauty, although flying in does offer a breathtaking view of the dunes. You'll find camping spots, or luxury camps or lodges in most of the popular parks and reserves, and in the cities, the usual selection ranging from budget guest houses to glitzy hotels. Roads between attractions are good and self-driving is a good way to see a lot of the country on a budget. We do not recommend any destinations or self-driving in the area bordering Angola, including the Caprivi Strip.

Map

Parks & Game Reserves

Etosha National Park - one of the world's largest and most famous wildlife sanctuaries in the northern savanna region is Namibia's premier tourist attraction. The landscape is beautiful and extreme at Fish River Canyon. The Skeleton Coast marks the area where sea meets the great Namib dunes, and historically met with thunderous results. The Waterberg Plateau Park houses some rare species and vibrant sandstone dramatically sculpted by nature. Other attractions are the dunes and desertscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, Kaokoland and Damaraland. Desert adapted Elephant , Black Rhino and Baboon dwell successfully in remote areas, while Lion , Leopard and Large herds of Burchell's zebra roam in Etosha. Many unique birds also occur in the desert ecosystems. The animal viewing in Namibia is quite different than the bush safaris found in it's neighboring countries, the desert habitat presents a whole new way of seeing things. The Caprivi Game Reserve is nestled between Angola and Botswana, and not recommended until the area can be better stabilized for tourists.

The nomadic Himba people live in Damaraland and Kaokoland, where they follow a lifestyle that has remained unchanged for hundreds of years. The San bushmen were the original inhabitants, but through the years, their subsistence existence has been threatened by development, land claims, and combining with other tribes. Beginning in 1950, Namibia has struggled to get away from the apartheid rule of South Africa. Through UN intervention and global support, Namibia was able to elect it's own leader and become independent in 1990.