Namibia

Namibia highlights include, Etosha, Fishriver Canyon, Sussus

Namibia never fails to enthral its visitors, to charge the fantasies and imaginations of narrators in their efforts to aptly describe the many-facetted grandeur and harsh splendour of this desert country.

Windhoek the capital of Namibia. Namibia is known for its contrasting landscapes. The desolate Namib Desert is said to be the oldest in the world, with its high dunes and awe-inspiring sense of space.

The central plateau, with its thorn bush savannah and rugged mountains, rising abruptly from the plains, gives way to the majestic Fish River Canyon in the south. In the north of the country, landscapes range from dense bush and open plains of the great Etosha Pan, to woodland savannah and lush vegetation. Dinosaur footprints preserved in sandstone, prehistoric rock art, the ancient fossil plant, Welwitschia mirabilis, all bare witness to the timelessness of Namibia

Namibia is divided into 3 distinct topographical regions:

• Namib Desert: Long narrow coastal desert 50km-140km, extending along the entire coastline and interspersed with dune belts, dry riverbeds and deeply eroded canyons.
• Central Plateau: Runs from North to South with an average altitude between 1000-2000 m. This area has breathtaking landscapes, rugged mountain, rocky outcrops, sand filled valleys and endless plains.
• Kalahari Desert: Long vegetated dunes of red sand extend through this area. It spans dense bush covered plains north east of the Etosha Pan including the high rainfall areas of Kavango and Caprivi, tropical forest, perennial rivers and woodland savannah.

Namibia is the first country in the world to include protection of the environment and sustainable utilisation of wildlife in its constitution. National Reserves and Game Parks Namibias national reserves and game parks are owned by Government and managed on its behalf by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Since independence there has been a rapid escalation in the number and size of private conservation areas.

• The Mahango Game Reserve borders on the perennial Okavango River, and extends over 244km².
• The 32km-wide Caprivi Game Park of 5 715km² extends for about 180 km from the Okavango River to the Kwando River.
• The Mudumu National Park is a vast 1 010km² expanse of dense savannah and mopane woodlands, with the Kwando River as its western border.
• The 320km² Mamili National Park, the largest wetland area with conservation status in Namibia.
• The Khaudum Game Reserve protects the northern Kalahari sandveld biome.
• The Mangetti Game Reserve in the Kavango Region is managed as a game-breeding area.
• The Etosha National Park, at 22 270km², is one of the largest game reserves in Africa.
• The Skeleton Coast Park covers an area of 16 400km².
• The Cape Cross Seal Reserve, approximately 130km north of Swakopmund, was proclaimed to protect up to 23 colonies of Cape Fur seals.
• The National West Coast Recreation Area, a 200km stretch of coastline between the Swakop and Ugab rivers is renowned for its outstanding angling potential.
• Rising some 200m above a surrounding sea of bush and savannah, the 405km² Waterberg Plateau Park, is home to some 25 game and 200 bird species.
• The Von Bach Game Reserve, south of Okahandja, extends for 43km² and is a popular venue for aquatic sports.
• The Daan Viljoen Game Park is comparatively small (3 953ha) and is a popular retreat for Windhoek residents and tourists.
• The Hardap Game Reserve covers an area of 250km² and offers excellent game viewing opportunities.
• Namib-Naukluft Park, a vast wilderness of 50 000km².
• The focal point of the 23 000ha Naute Recreation Resort, is Namibias 3rd largest dam.
• Fishriver Canyon Park is comprised of the Ai-Ais Hot Springs Resort, the Fishriver Canyon and the Huns Mountains.

Accommodation in and around Namibia