NAMIBIA
Namibia has become an increasingly popular safari destination since the media's interest in Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's nesting there in 2006. The vast expanses of untouched wilderness covered with endless blue skies, give a sense of awe and peace to all who visit. It's never crowded here! The 800 miles of Atlantic coastline and the starkly beautiful red sand dunes provide a contrast that is unique. If you are looking to go into the wilds, where few others venture, Namibia can offer you a thrilling experience. It also serves as a nice safari extension to your Botswana or South Africa plans.
Namibia gets its name from the Namib Desert, the oldest desert on the planet.
This sparsely populated country is twice the size of California with a handful of cities separated by pristine wilderness. Because of the enormous distances, fly-in safaris make the best use of your time while providing breathtaking views of the startlingly beautiful landscapes.
A great diversity of wildlife can be found here including endemic species like the desert elephant and endangered species like the African wild dog. There are more cheetah in Namibia than in any other country in Africa. The largest concentration of game is found in the Etosha National Park area.
Namibia became an independent, democratic country in 1990. Its constitution was the first in the world to include protection of the environment and sustainable utilization of wildlife. The country has rich mineral wealth, a well-developed infrastructure and a growing tourism market. The people reflect a blend of cultures and traditions from the various ethnic groups including the San, Ovambo, Herero, Himba, Khoi-Khoi, and a small European population. English is the official language in Namibia.
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When to go to Namibia
You can travel to Namibia year-round depending on how you tolerate heat and cold. Much of Namibia has a subtropical desert climate with wide ranging temperatures between daytime and night. The winter months, May to September, are the dry season when the daytime temperatures average 75 F and the nights can get down to freezing in the desert. October and November temperatures get warmer. December to March is when rain falls in the northern part of the country. The desert areas receive little or no rain and the sun shines here almost every single day.
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Passport & Visa for Namibia
A valid passport is required to enter Namibia. No visas are needed for citizens of the USA or UK.
The Embassy of the Republic of Namibia
1605 New Hampshire Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Tel: 202-986-0540
Fax: 202-986-0443
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Medical Information for Namibia
Before traveling to Africa, please consult with your physician. No mandatory vaccinations are required to visit Namibia. You will need a malaria prophylactic if you are traveling to the northern part of the country.
For further information:
www.cdc.gov/travel/safrica.htm
Highlights
Windhoek, the capital city, has an international airport and is the starting point for many safaris.
Etosha National Park is Namibia's premiere game viewing destination. Located in the northern part of the country, it is sometimes called the "land of mirages" because of the huge Etosha Pan which looks like an endless expanse of silvery sand. This is one of Africa's largest game parks being nearly the size of Switzerland. There are more than 100 mammal species found here, several being endangered like the rhino, cheetah and black-faced impala. Etosha's elephants are the largest in Africa. The area has many springs and waterholes that provide excellent game viewing and photo opportunities. There is abundant bird life with more than 340 species represented.
The Namib Desert in the west and the Kalahari Desert in the east are separated by rugged mountainous terrain. The Dunes of Sossusvlei in the heart of the Namib, are famous for their sheer monumental size and stark beauty. The sunlight bounces off the sand giving a red glow to the dunes during the day, and at night the clear skies provide phenomenal stargazing.
The Skeleton Coast is the long stretch of Namibia's Atlantic coast north of Swakopmund. The name comes from the many shipwrecks caused by treacherous fog and strong currents produced by the winds from the Antarctic Benguela current. Skeleton Coast Park and Wilderness areas protect about one-third of the country's coastline.This is one of our planet's most inhospitable, but hauntingly beautiful places - it is wild, desolate and uninhabited. It has everything from roaring sand dunes and windswept plains, to towering canyons and saltpans, and even one of the most productive fishing grounds anywhere. Freshwater springs permeate through barren sands to create rare oases in the desert that sustain pockets of wildlife.
Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon after Arizona's Grand Canyon and is estimated to be about 500 million years old. This is a very popular hiking route and the birding here is outstanding.
The Cape Cross Seal Reserve is the best place to observe one of the many Cape fur seal colonies located along the Namibian coast. There are more than 100,000 of them here, just north of Swakopmund, Namibia's best seaside resort town. Walvis Bay, located just south of Swakopmund, is a port town noted for good fishing and birding.
Twyfelfontein in the ruggedly beautiful Damaraland area is renowned for San art engravings and paintings. This is the largest collection of petroglyphs (prehistoric rock art) in Africa.
The Caprivi Strip, is a narrow panhandle jutting from the northeast corner of the country bordering Angola and Zambia on the north and Botswana on the south. This is an area of rivers, channels and floodplains; the only place in Namibia where there is plenty of water.
Click here for Namibia itinerary ideas, scheduled departures, camps and lodges.
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