Namibia

Why Visit?

Namibia is a really big country, spanning over 320,000 square miles (over 500,000 sq km) but is only inhabited by 2.2 million people making it a great destination to get away from the crowds and to unplug from civilization for awhile! This amazing country was initially inhabited by a variety of local ethnic tribes like the San Bushman and the Himba Tribes until it was colonized by the German's in the late 1880's, and to date, you will see a very strong German influence in the architecture, cuisine, newspapers and of course, beer houses! In fact, if you are an Octoberfest fan, visit Swakopmund where they host an annual fest!

Namibia is home to the oldest, driest and most uninhabited desert in the world, estimated to be at least 55 million years old. Namibia has the largest population of cheetahs and the largest concentration of rock art in Africa. The Skelton Coast is a favorite and considered the world's largest graveyard of ships and sailors and to the south, Namibia is home to the largest canyon in Africa and the second largest in the world. Namibia is broken down into 3 regions, rocky, desert and canyons. The north makes up the rocky, mountainous, green terrain, central making up the desert and the sand dunes and the south which is dominated by the canyons.

Namibia is a unique, diverse, year round destination that should definitely not be overlooked!

Fish River Canyon is the largest canyon in Africa and the second largest in the world. Formed over 100's of millions of years by the erosive power of the Fish River, you will find a giant ravine 100 mile long (160 km), up to 17 miles wide (27 km) and in most places, 1800 feet deep (550 meters). The Fish River is the longest interior river in Namibia and today flows intermittently , usually flooding in late summer while the rest of the year it is a chain of long narrow pools. Fish River Canyon offers a lot in the way of activities, canyon rim walks, half and full day hikes, canyon sleep outs - a favorite - and of course, scenic sundowners! And one really unique feature to this area is the Ai-Ais natural Hot springs!

Fish River canyon is located in the south of Namibia, is truly stunning and not to be missed!

Luderitz & Kolmanskop

Luderitz is a small quaint town on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The town grew back in the day, due to the diamond mining run, is well known for its German colonial buildings and the ghost town of Kolmanskop. In 1909 diamonds were first mined in Kolmanskop and Luderitz started to prosper. Both towns were wealthy, but once the extraction of diamonds was no longer profitable due to more suitable places found in South Africa, these towns started to suffer, with Kolmanskop being completely abandoned. Fun fact, the small buildings you see in the distance from Kolmanskop were the quarantine houses for the workers to make sure they did not swallow any diamonds before vacating the town for good! Since the abandonment of this town, the desert has been slowly encroaching and in some cases, engulfing the buildings. It is very picturesque and haunting.

With a population of only 18,000 people, Luderitz and Kolmanskop are one of the most inhospitable places in Namibia, but a must see!

Sossusvlei & Deadvlei

Sossusvlei and Deadvlei are located in the Namib desert. Sossusvlei's claim to fame are the red sand dunes that run for apx 400 km (250 miles) north and south, and then apx 100 km (60 miles) east and west. The tallest of the dunes, Dune 7, is am impressive 388 meters (1273 feet) in height Other dunes that have made their claim to fame are Big Daddy Dune, Dune 45 and Elim, one of the most photograhped dunes in Sossusvlei! Fun fact - the redder the dune, the older it is due to the flecks of iron mixed in with the sand that eventually oxidize or rust creating the red/orange color!

The Deadvlei claypan is one of the most unique, iconic and photographed areas in Namibia! It was created hundreds and hundreds of years ago due to the changing weather conditions that eventually cut off the flooding river to this area. This created a very dry environment preserving the camel thorn trees that are said to be over 900 years old and have not decomposed to date. The landscape is truly something to behold with the white claypan contrasting with the red sand dunes enhanced by the ancient camel thorn trees!

Sossusvlei and Deadvlei are close to each other and not to be missed!

Swakopmund

Swakopmund is the second largest town, located on the coast of the Atlantic ocean, on the edge of the Namib desert. It is a charming seaside town that has retained a strong German influence - beer, architecture and culture! Swakopmund was traditionally a holiday hotspot for locals and foreigners alike, offering lots in the way of adventure sports and good ole fun! Swakopmund is famous for its delicious oysters, lobster and locally brewed beers and have an annual Octoberfest!

Spend a few days in Swakopmund after the canyon and the desert - you will not be disappointed!

Skelton Coast

The Skelton Coast is a phenomenal area and is best known as the largest gravesite for sailors and ships alike. The Portuguese sailors once referred to this inhospitable area as "The Gates of Hell" and the Namibian bushman call the Skelton Coast. "the land God made in anger". Situated on Namibia's remote western coastline, one can see bleached whale and seal bones from when the whaling industry was still active. But today this coastline is home to one of the largest breeding colonies of Cape Cross fur seals. One might also spot only the most hardy of giraffe, desert elephants, lions, zebras, hyenas and rhino. .The coast is famous for dense fog, massive storms, the hostile desert and the roaring dunes! Due to the unique combination of wind, air and sand, the sound created has been compared to that of low flying planes.

One only has to look at the coastline at the hundreds of shipwrecks to know you are in a very haunting, special place.

Damaraland - The Greatest Outdoor Art Gallery

Damaraland is famous for the rock art and the breath taking mountainous terrain! Add to that, Doros Crater, Burnt Mountain, the Organ Pipes and the Petrified Forest - Damaraland delivers a harsh, dramatic and beautiful landscape! Thanks to the Khoi-San and other ancient tribes, Damaraland is full of cultural history starting with Twyfelfontein. This World Heritage Site is home to one of the largest rock art collections in South Africa and draws enthusiasts from around the world! This beautiful rock art can also be found at Brandberg, Spitzkeppe and the Erongo Mountains.

Damaraland does not stop with its wild landscape, Damaraland is also famous for the desert adapted elephants, the highly endangered black rhino, the rare mountain zebra and lion. The wildlife is incredible with great game viewing opportunities!

Kaokoland

Kaokoland is located in the most extreme northern part of Namibia. It borders Angola with the Kunene river running between the two countries. It is very mountainous, rugged, dry harsh and seemingly inhospitable and is famous for the nomadic Himba tribes found nowhere else except Namibia. These highly skilled tribes herd cattle and are distinct for the ochre they put on their skin and their traditional leather clothing! A visit is highly recommended, but make sure you select a responsible guide who respects and knows the culture and customs of these fascinating people.

Kaokoland is also famous for its high density of desert elephants and the Epupa Falls. It is not per say a real wildlife viewing destination, but it is unexplored and the perfect destination for the traveler who wants off the beaten path!

Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park ranks as one of the best for wildlife viewing due to the numerous watering holes. It is very beautiful with the majority of the landscape made up of grassy woodlands. The park is dominated by a 3000 square mile salt pan that can be seen from space! It is completely dry for most of the year, but transforms into a lake during the rainy season, attracting hundreds of thousands of flamingo and wetland birds, turning this area into a lush paradise. There are 144 species of animals in the park and the bird count is currently at 340 species. Etosha is packed with elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard, zebra and springbok. It is also one of the best places to see cheetah and the endangered black rhino. In fact, Etosha has a very healthy black rhino population that you will see around the many watering holes! Etosha is home to 4 of the Big 5, the buffalo being absent.

The best time to visit is May to October when the animals congregate around the watering holes. High season is July to November and the park becomes quite crowded.