Namibia From the dawn of time, nature's hand has sculpted
Namibia's extraordinary and unique
Dunes. (Deadvlei, Namibia)
landscapes. Namibia is an enigmatic country of
many faces, a land of legends and myths in a setting of stark magnificence.
Namibia's austere landscapes have given rise to some of the hardiest plants,
creatures and people found on earth. Namibia covers 318,180 square miles
(824,295 square kilometers), making it significantly larger than Texas
and almost four times the size of the United Kingdom, yet its population
numbers barely 1.5 million. Namibia's population density is one of the
lowest in the world, with only about five people inhabiting each square
mile of territory (two people to each square kilometer). A developing
network of well-maintained tar, gravel and dirt roads allows visitors
to reach the farthest corners of this vast land, which is increasingly
being recognized as "Africa's Gem."
Windhoek Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, has a population
of just over 160,000, making it far and away the
Leopard. (Etosha National Park, Namibia)
largest urban conclave in the country. The capital
city's name was initially bestowed by Jonker Afrikaner, a Nama chief,
who was reminded of a farm in the Cape Province of South Africa with similar
surrounding mountains. The farm's name was Winterhoek, and from that the
name of the town was derived. Windhoek, surrounded by a sea of undulating
hills looking out over the Khomas Hochland in the center of Namibia, stands
5,350 feet (1,630 meters) above sea level, in a setting that is hot by
day and cold by night. Nevertheless, in comparison with other places that
share its latitude, it enjoys a temperate climate. And, because of its
diverse human population, Windhoek enjoys a bustling nightlife scene that
is out of keeping with the city's size.
Swakopmund Swakopmund, Namibia's famous seaside resort, is
a bit of a tourist trap but nonetheless a place
Elephant bulls sparring. (Etosha National
Park, Namibia)
of great charm. The town came into being after
the German Reich resolved to build a port along the Namibian coast. Rather
incongruously, Swakopmund has become a small turn-of-the-century Bavarian
village on a stretch of African desert coastline, where the massive sand
dunes plunge right down into the sea. Its sea air is refreshing to those
just returning to civilization from the surrounding deserts, and there
is a slightly romantic post-colonial feel to the place. While they enjoy
the slice of small-town provincial life that Swakopmund offers, visitors
often tire of the German cakes sold in every shop and turn their attentions
instead to the year-round sun, the sea and sand, the desert dunes, the
exciting excursions, the faultless beaches, the superb angling opportunities
and the blissful silence.
Beyond the wide sandy wastes of the enigmatic
Namib Desert, the massive Central Escarpment rises 3,000 to 6,500 feet
(900 to 2,000 meters) above sea level. Undulating plains and sandy valleys
give way to arid, blasted mountains with craggy ridges. In the southern
reaches of this spectacular terrain can be found the escarpment's most
spectacular feature, the Fish River Canyon. At a depth of 1,800 feet (550
meters), it is second in size and grandeur on the African continent only
to the Blue Nile Gorge in Ethiopia. In terms of scale and beauty, the
Fish River Canyon is said to rival Arizona's Grand Canyon.
Namib Desert All along the Namibian coast, the burnt dunes
of the great Namib Desert tumble into the icy Atlantic. Among the oldest
deserts in the world, the Namib, whose history can be traced back some
eighty million years, seems denuded of life. Built and destroyed and built
again by searing multi-directional winds, the Namib Desert is home to
the highest sand dunes in the world. Mountains of sand run along the erosional
trough of the Tsauchaub River to a magical place called Sossusvlei. The
red dunes of Sossusvlei rear up to a height of 1,000 feet (300 meters),
forming a range of blood-red sand mountains in a world devoid of space
and time. Incredibly, gemsbok and springbok haven't given up on this austere
landscape. They can still be seen frequenting the area.
People Namibia's diverse population hails from all corners
of Africa and Europe. Most Africans come from
Hiking the dunes. (Namib Desert, Namibia)
the north, with the largest ethnic group being
the Wambo. The Wambo is comprised of eight different tribes, each with
its own territory and dialect. Namibia's other major tribes are Kavango,
Herero, Damara, Nama, East Caprivian, Kaokolander, Bushmen, Rehoboth Baster
and Tswana. The San, once known more commonly as the "bushmen,"
are one of Namibia's most fascinating tribes. Approximately 25,000 tribesmen
remain in Namibia (with others in neighboring Botswana), but only some
2,000 of that number are thought to maintain the ancient hunting and gathering
way of life. Evocative San paintings can be found throughout Namibia,
some as old as 30,000 years in age. One, known as the "White Lady"
after its central figure, depicts San shamans communicating with animal
spirits.
Travel Tips Namibia is relatively free from tropical diseases,
but visitors planning to travel to the northern wetlands should take precautions
against bilharzia and malaria. Due to the blistering heat of the
Giraffe and an acacia tree. (Namibia)
sun in many parts of the country, visitors should
remember to travel with light clothes and a hat and should always take
appropriate precautions to avoid a sun stroke. Visitors should also keep
an adequate store of drinking water on hand; Namibia is a large country
with long distances between most towns, and stores and service facilities
are few and far between. Accordingly, visitors should always verify that
they carry sufficient fuel in their vehicles. Namibia's tap water is generally
safe for drinking; however, the visitor is advised to carry bottled water
(or, alternatively, equipment for treating or boiling tap water), particularly
in the northern parts of the country, such as the Caprivi Strip.
Crime is not terribly prevalent in Namibia, but it
is still wise to be careful. For the latest information on security issues
in Namibia, please consult the U.S. State Department's consular warning
sheets.
The fine climate, with its generally dry conditions,
is conducive to visits year-round. It should be pointed out , however,
that Ai-Ais Hot Springs in the Fish River Canyon is closed from November
until mid-March each year. Temperatures in mid-summer can rise above 104°
F (40° C). The winter months are generally agreeably warm, although
temperatures often drop below the freezing point in the early morning
hours. The interior has two rainy seasons. The short rains fall between
October and early December. The long rains, which include fairly frequent
thunderstorms, fall from mid January until April. Despite the rainy seasons,
the country enjoys an average of 300 days of sunshine per year.
Reading List In order to make the most of your trip to Namibia,
the following reading lists will help you gain a better understanding
of the landscape, culture and people. Here you can also purchase any books
you might need for your Global Adrenaline trip!
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Tel: +1-866-884-5622 (toll free in USA)
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