With its untouched landscape of deserts, canyons, wide sunny coasts and national parks, Namibia offers interesting wild scenery to spend your holidays in Africa. Popular activities in Namibia include hiking and exciting safaris to see some magnificent African wildlife. Cultural activities and nightlife can be found in the lively capital Windhoek, while the small Namibian beach towns and indigenous villages are just waiting to be explored.
Rich in wildlife, Namibia is home to ten national parks and several other game reserves, most equipped with excellent infrastructure including good roads, rest camps, hotels, small shops, and swimming pools. One of the best game reserves in Africa, Etosha National park is located in northern Namibia. This huge game reserve is inhabited by unique African wildlife, such as lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, zebras and jackals. Abundant birdlife can also be found in the Ethosha National Park.
Namibian nature destinations. The second largest canyon in the world, the magnificent Fish River Canyon is located in Southern Namibia. The area offers good opportunities for challenging hikes or just relaxing in the hot springs. One of the most extensive deserts in the world, Kalahari Desert is also located in Namibia. In northwestern Namibia, the remote Skeleton Coast is home to dramatic scenery and indigenous Namibian tribes. See also the famous scenic landscapes of Sossuvlei and the wildlife of the Caprivi Strip.
Beaches & adventure sports. The premier beach holiday destination of Namibia, Swakopmund is a beautiful coastal town with seaside promenades, palm trees, fine beaches, and colonial buildings. In the surrounding magnificent Namib Desert you can try many kinds of adventure sports, such as skydiving, paragliding, quadbiking, and sandboarding. There are also good chances to spot pelicans, pink flamingos and dolphins, or go on camel or hot air balloon safaris. Other seaside towns in Namibia, Walvis Bay and Lüderitz are also worth your visit.
Desert beaches, national parks and nature wonders - Destinations in Namibia
Namibia has many interesting areas to explore from lively cities and small villages to deserts and canyons. The Namibian capital Windhoek is located in Central Highlands. A business and transportation hub, Windhoek is small and exotic city where you can explore fascinating historic buildings, enjoy versatile cultural activities and taste delicious Namibian cuisine. The popular Daan Viljoen Game Park is not far from the city centre. Windhoek also serves as a starting point to exciting safaris in Namibia that offer wildlife experiences with lions, elephants, zebras, cheetahs, and giraffes among others.Rich in wildlife, Namibia is home to ten national parks and several other game reserves, most equipped with excellent infrastructure including good roads, rest camps, hotels, small shops, and swimming pools. One of the best game reserves in Africa, Etosha National park is located in northern Namibia. This huge game reserve is inhabited by unique African wildlife, such as lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, zebras and jackals. Abundant birdlife can also be found in the Ethosha National Park.
Namibian nature destinations. The second largest canyon in the world, the magnificent Fish River Canyon is located in Southern Namibia. The area offers good opportunities for challenging hikes or just relaxing in the hot springs. One of the most extensive deserts in the world, Kalahari Desert is also located in Namibia. In northwestern Namibia, the remote Skeleton Coast is home to dramatic scenery and indigenous Namibian tribes. See also the famous scenic landscapes of Sossuvlei and the wildlife of the Caprivi Strip.
Beaches & adventure sports. The premier beach holiday destination of Namibia, Swakopmund is a beautiful coastal town with seaside promenades, palm trees, fine beaches, and colonial buildings. In the surrounding magnificent Namib Desert you can try many kinds of adventure sports, such as skydiving, paragliding, quadbiking, and sandboarding. There are also good chances to spot pelicans, pink flamingos and dolphins, or go on camel or hot air balloon safaris. Other seaside towns in Namibia, Walvis Bay and Lüderitz are also worth your visit.
Practical information for your trip to Namibia
Namibia is located in Southern Africa between Angola and South Africa. The dry and sparsely populated country has a long coastline by the South Atlantic Ocean. Namibia's climate varies from dry desert to subtropical and it is generally dry and hot. Kalahari Desert and the Skeleton Coast are among the driest places on Earth, so sunshine in Namibia is guaranteed!
Photo: yaaaay, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Visitor services. Approximately a million tourists visit Namibia every year and the country attracts especially nature-based tourism. About one third of foreign visitors to Namibia come from South Africa. Namibia has improving facilities for visitors and the majority of the younger people and those employed in tourism industry understand English.
How to get there. There are regular flights to Namibia from South Africa, Europe, Australia and the US. They arrive to Namibia's capital Windhoek. You can also travel to Namibia by road from the neighboring countries.
Public transportation in Namibia consists of trains, domestic flights, buses and minibuses in the capital Windhoek. However, buses and trains do not run very often. Taxis are available in Windhoek. The easiest way to get around in Namibia is by an arranged safari. Many visitors in Namibia come on all-inclusive safari packages. Car rental is available for the independent-minded. The roads in Namibia are generally in good condition, but due to the unpaved roads in the countryside, a four-wheel drive may be needed.
Safety. Namibia can be considered a safe travel destination. However, it is advisable to keep your valuables hidden when moving around in town areas. Watch out for wildlife when driving in Namibia, and never wander off into the wild just by yourself.
History of Namibia in short
The area of Namibia was first settled by the San (Bushmen), Damara and Namaqua tribes and later by Bantu people. The region was found by Europeans in the 19th century. Soon it became under German control as Southwest Africa and many Germans moved into the area. South Africa occupied the Namibia during the World War I. Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990. Today, Namibia is a relatively wealthy multicultural country that is known especially for its mining products.hint See also these nearby destinations: Swakopmund, Windhoek
