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A land of vivid contradictions and stark beauty. The vast expanses of open space and surreal landscapes makes Namibia one of Southern Africa's most unusual destinations. The Namib Desert is home to extraordinary fauna and flora that exist among the hues of golden reds and oranges that wash the slopes and curves of the rolling sand dunes. Although this country is mostly known for it's haunting desert beauty it boasts one of the most fascinating, ghostly coastlines in the world where shipwrecks dot the jagged Skeleton Coast.
Air safaris allow modern-day explorers a glimpse of this rugged and majestic terrain that has doomed many a ship to an ocean funeral. The quaint and pretty Germanic coastal town of Swakopmund is a haven in the desert. Here visitors may revel in genteel hospitality and the numerous scenic treats of the ocean and the surroundings.
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Namibia is a veritable cultural treasure chest as each indigenous tribe has a fascinating heritage that survives to this day. San (Bushman) rock art provides a graphic and mystical clue to the lives once led by these people. Their paintings and etchings are liberally scattered throughout the interior and many hiking and horse trails allow visitors to explore these extraordinary sites. |
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The parched dryness of the desert is complemented by the lush tropical vegetation of the Caprivi in the north eastern corner of the country. The other wildlife magnet is the mesmerising Etosha Pan that sizzles under the African sun. In the dry winter it is a howl of white saltpans, but in summer it fills with water providing a breeding ground for flamingoes, and easy access to sweet drinking water for herds of zebra, kudu, springbok and elephant.
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The desert-adapted elephants can be seen in the regions of Kaokoveld and Damaraland, where they have adopted the semi-desert mountainous habitat. Also here observers can see the strange petrified forest and the other dramatic rock formations near the Burnt Mountains, so named because of their glowing appearance at sunset. This area is also the hunting ground for paleantologists seeking ancient fossils. The Fish River Canyon in the south is a haven for hiking enthusiasts who can explore the rugged terrain. |
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