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Sandwiched between the Kalahari and the chilly South Atlantic, Namibia is a country of vast potential and promise. It has a solid modern infrastructure and a diversity of cultures. Strong German influences can be found in the capital Windhoek which is also the main entry point to this country of unquestionably spectacular beauty.
Essential Information
Namibia
Capital: Windhoek Time: GMT +2 hrs from 1st Sunday in September to 1st Sunday in April. GMT +1hr from 1st Sunday in April to 1st Sunday in September. Fly to: Windhoek via Johannesburg.
All areas are easily accessible by fly-in safari or by road. Distances can be Visas: Not required.
great and many roads are gravel which makes journey times rather lengthy. Health: Protection against Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A, Diphtheria, Typhoid recommended. Anti-Malarial precautions to be taken in central and northern parts of the country. If travelling from an endemic Yellow Fever area then a valid immunization Certificate is required.
The capital Windhoek is the gateway to the country and there is still a strong German influence in architecture, cuisine and language. Similarly, the coastal resort of Swakopmund has a wealth of German colonial buildings.
TO
THE
SOUTH
South of Windhoek lies the Namib Naukluft Park and at over 80 million years is the oldest desert in the world. Another ‘first’ is that it also has the highest
Best time to visit: March to November.
sand dunes in the world, rising to over 1,000 feet above the desert floor at
Namibia Tourism Board Tel: 0207 367 0962
Sossusvlei. Towards the border with South Africa is Fish River Canyon which
Currency: Namibia Dollar (on parity with SA Rand).
spectacular section is 65km long and reaches a depth of 549m. Other places
stretches 161km and is second in size to the Grand Canyon. The most
of interest include the historic coastal town of Luderitz; the eerie ghost town Climate:
of Kolmanskop and the Quiver Tree forests near Keetmanshoop. Dec
Mar
Jun
Sep
Jan
Apr
Jul
Oct
TO
THE
NORTH
Windhoek
Feb
May
Aug
Nov
Etosha National Park in northern Namibia is a massive shallow depression
Av. Daily temp (C)
30
25
22
28
which is dry, flat and silvery white for most of the year but home to a wealth
Av. Sunshine (hours) 9
9
10
10
of wildlife. Just to the south-west is Damaraland, an area of desolate
Av. Rainfall (mm)
41
1
17
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landscape and stark beauty. This is the home of the desert elephant and rare rhino. Along the Atlantic coast lies the fabled Skeleton Coast. Many shipwrecks can be seen and due to the fragile eco system the northern part has strictly controlled access. In the far north-west, Kaokoland is a striking area of mountain and desert and home to the semi-nomadic Himba people. The Caprivi Strip complements Namibia’s drier areas as it is traversed by four rivers and is home to excellent game-viewing and allows easy access to Victoria Falls.
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African Pride