Magnificent desolation
Namibia is a vast and starkly beautiful country providing one with the
feeling of solitude and leaving one in awe of nature and its workings.
The Namib Desert, Skeleton Coast, Etosha Pans and the Caprivi strip are
all areas of real beauty where the traditions of the indigenous peoples
have not been lost entirely to western civilisation.
Situation
Splendid isolation is the central characteristic of this vast, sparsely
populated country. This is one of the few countries in sub-Saharan Africa
where you can travel for hundreds of kilometres and see and meet no one.
Namibia is situated between Angola in the north and South Africa in the
south with Botswana forming its eastern boundary and the cold waters of
the Atlantic washing the countries western shore. Caprivi, Namibia's odd
colonial appendage thrusts east from the north-eastern corner of the
country touching Zambia and Zimbawe on the Zambezi River at its
eastern-most extremity.
The Namib Desert
The Namib, the most ancient desert in the world acts as a barrier between
the central highlands and the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The ports
of Luderitz, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund are the only pinpricks of civilisation
on this long coastline of vast sand dunes, gravel deserts and shipwrecks.
Luderitz and Swakopmund with their traditional German style architecture are
fascinating to visit especially in their setting of wild and inhospitable
desert set against the blue waters of the Atlantic. Swakopmund has developed
a thriving tourist industry with quality hotels and comfortable bed and breakfast
establishments catering for all requirements. The town retains a strong German
character.
South of Swakopmund lies Walvis Bay, Namibia's premier port and until recently
a South African enclave. The salt flats and lagoons south of the port are home
to thousands of flamingos, pelicans and other waders and water birds.
South of Walvis Bay lies hundreds of kilometres of desert and the astonishing
Sandwich Harbour, a fresh water lagoon which seeps out from below the surrounding
massive sand dunes and separated from the sea by a bank of sea sand. Millions
of migratory birds make use of this area during times of migration. Luderitz
and the nearby ghost town of Kolmanskop are worthy of a visit, with wild seascapes,
harsh and unrelenting deserts set against the blue of the ocean.
The Fish River Canyon and Sossusvlei
The magnificent Fish River Canyon and the eastern edge of the Namib Desert
stretching north from the Orange River in the south is an area of stark
beauty. The canyon is second in size to The Grand Canyon in North America
and the week long hike through its depths is a haunting experience of
isolation in the harshest yet most beautiful landscape. Further north the
spectacle of the largest sand dunes in the world glowing bright red in the
early morning light standing over the isolated Sossusvlei on the eastern
edge of the Namib Desert is spectacular. This vast area is one of the most
beautiful in Africa especially with the oryx antelope standing silhouetted
against the setting sun.
The Skeleton Coast and Damaraland
North of Swakopmund the forbidding Skeleton Coast stretches north towards
the Angolan border. This is an area of fragile ecosystems, ancient
welwitschia plants, brown hyena and jackal, millions of Cape fur seals,
shipwrecks both ancient and recent and the rare sighting of a lion walking
down the beach.
Skeleton Coast Safaris are an expert operation specialising in the
attractions of this area. Inland the spectacular Damaraland and
Kaokoveld are home to the rare desert elephant and black rhino and
a landscape twisted and torn by the harshness of the environment
and the searing sun.
Ancient San or Bushman paintings and engravings adorn the landscape
and spectacular fossil remains are to be found. Many of the Herero
women of this region retain the custom of wearing Victorian style
clothing to this day. Epupa Falls situated on the Cunene River are
quite spectacular, with the region being the traditional homeland
to the fascinating Himba people along the Angolan border.
Etosha National Park
The Etosha National Park is Namibia's premier wildlife reserve and
its centrepiece is the spectacular white Etosha Pan. The reserve is
a magnificent semi-desert and woodland environment with large
concentrations of wildlife. Elephant, black and white rhino, lion,
leopard and cheetah are frequently sighted within the reserve together
with a spectacular assortment of animals endemic to this area. The
waterholes situated adjacent to the rest camps within the reserve
attract an array of wildlife with probably the best chance of sighting
the highly endangered black rhino.
Caprivi
The eastern tip of Caprivi stands in stark contrast to the remainder of
Namibia. This is a region of vast rivers and swamps fed by the mighty
Zambezi River flowing out of Barotseland in western Zambia and
downstream to Victoria Falls. The people of this region are closely
associated with the Lozi of western Zambia and they speak the same
language. The Zambezi River dominates this area and the seasonal floods
can push across the swamps swelling the river to many kilometres wide.
Beautiful sylvan islands dot the main channel of the river and the
opportunities for fishing, bird watching and game viewing along the
Chobe River are unprecedented.
Travelling
Namibia is vast and the arid desert landscapes are hauntingly beautiful.
The infrastructure is very good and it is easy to get around and to visit
most regions of this country. Direct flights from Europe and good regional
connections to Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa and Harare and
Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe ensure easy access to the country. Access to
the Caprivi region is easiest through Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
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