Namibia’s identify was derived from Namib desert, which is believed to be the oldest desert on the planet. This distinctive geological function is famend for the pristine and haunting high quality of its panorama. It is this function that characterizes the nation most, and is dwelling to a number of the nation’s prime vacationer locations, notably Sossusvlei, Sandwich Harbour and the Skeleton Coast Park.
Removed from being lifeless and barren, the desert options an uncommon number of desert-adapted wildlife, together with numerous endemic plant, chicken, reptile and bug species. Many of those species are of specific scientific curiosity and appeal to scientists from all around the world.
CAPITAL: Windhoek
CLIMATE: Namibia has a dry local weather typical of a semi-desert nation the place droughts are an everyday incidence. Days are principally heat to extremely popular, whereas nights are typically cool. Common day temperatures in the summertime differ from 20°C – 34°C and common evening temperatures within the winter differ from 0°C – 10°C. There are huge variations between the arid southern desert and semi-desert areas and the tropical north-east with its ample summer season rains. The very best time to go to Namibia is Apr-Oct.
CURRENCY: 1 Namibia Greenback = 100 cents. Rands are accepted as authorized tender. Traveller’s cheques are accepted virtually in all places. German Marks, USD or Swiss Franc traveller’s cheques are beneficial. Normally, bank cards are accepted by most motels in addition to in Namibia Wildlife Resorts the place MasterCard, Visa, (Diners Membership and Amex not at all times), Namibian {Dollars}, Rand traveller’s cheques and financial institution assured cheques are accepted. Bank cards aren’t accepted for gas.
ELECTRICITY: 220 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are 3-pin spherical.
HEALTH: A yellow fever vaccination certificates is required from travellers over 1 12 months of age coming from contaminated areas. Guests are suggested to take pre-arrival precautions towards malaria (danger exists Nov-Jun within the northern areas comparable to Ovamboland and the Caprivi Strip in addition to in Omaheke and Otjozondjupa and all year long alongside the Kavango and Kunene rivers), hepatitis A, polio and typhoid. Faucet water is secure.
LANGUAGE: English is the official language. In outlets, motels and eating places, Afrikaans and German are sometimes spoken.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: New Years’ Day (1 Jan); Independance Day (21 Mar); Good Friday (9 Apr); Easter Monday (12 Apr); Labour Day (1 Could); Cassinga Day (4 Could); Ascension Day (20 Could); Africa Day (25 Could); Heroes Day (26 Aug); Goodwill Day (7 Oct); Human Rights’ Day (10 Dec); Christmas Day (25 Dec); Boxing Day (26 Dec).
SHOPPING: woodcarvings; basketry; pottery; fur coats & jackets, particularly Swakara; gold jewelry; individually-designed hand-woven carpets and wall hangings constituted of karakul wool; Namibian semi-precious stones and diamonds; Herero dolls.
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: There’s a Christian majority. Western customs and courtesies are noticed. Enterprise fits are worn in winter; in summer season, safari fits are acceptable.
TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT +2 (GMT +1 throughout Apr-Aug)
TIPPING: 10 % of the invoice is customary.
TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:
Windhoek:
The capital; a small, bustling metropolis with a ‘continental’ ambiance; many sights together with the Gibeon Meteorite Fountain, Nationwide Artwork Gallery of Namibia, Tintenpalast, Namibia Craft Centre and Nationwide Botanical Backyard; buying.
Fish River Canyon:
Considered one of Namibia’s most spectacular geological phenomena; incorporates Ai-Ais Sizzling Springs, rugged mountainland, Fish River Canyon (second largest gorge in Africa) and Huns Mountains with remoted and otherworldly panorama and wealth of fascinating xerophytic vegetation; seasoned hikers regard the 4-5 day path as one in all southern Africa’s main challenges.
Sossusvlei-Namib:
Naukluft Park Monumental dunes lie on the finish of an erosional trough fashioned by the Tsauchab River; they’re star-shaped.
Etosha Nationwide Park:
Namibia’s first conservation space and one of many largest recreation reserves in Africa; its definitive function is the Etosha Pan, an enormous shallow despair of approx. 5000km²; elephants listed here are reputed to be of the most important in Africa; of the 114 mammal species discovered within the park, a number of are uncommon and endangered; chicken life is fascinating throughout wet season.
Skeleton Coast Park:
An aura of thriller and impenetrability surrounds this park with its many shipwrecks, dense coastal fogs and chilly sea breezes; of particular curiosity are the clay castles of the Hoarusib, the salt pans close to Agate Mountain, the seal colony at Cape Frio and the stays of shipwrecks alongside the coast.
Caprivi Strip:
Lush riverine forests and seasonal flood plains; a few of southern Africa’s prime birding spots, particularly the Caprivi Recreation Park; identified additionally for its arts and crafts e.g. pots and baskets with their distinctive magnificence and symmetry; store at Lizauli Conventional Village and number of craft centres; different actions embrace angling e.g. tiger fishing and recreation viewing on boat cruises.
Luderitz-Kolmanskop:
Namibia’s most well-known Ghost City, located within the Sperrgebiet roughly 10km from Lüderitz; the museum recounts the historical past of this deserted mining group.
Swakopmund:
Common due to its old-world attraction and relaxed ambiance; distinct German colonial character; historic buildings and trendy aquarium; famend for kudu leather-based sneakers.
Cape Cross Seal Colony:
House to the most important and the best-known of the 223 colonies of Cape fur seals which breed alongside the coast of South Africa and Namibia; throughout Nov/Dec breeding season as many as 150,000 seals collect right here; off the coast are protected chicken islands.
Epupa Falls:
Considered one of Namibia’s prime vacationer spots; a sequence of cascades the place the Kunene River drops 60m over a distance of about 1,5km, dividing into a mess of channels and forming a myriad rock swimming pools; it’s potential to swim in these swimming pools, however maintain a lookout for crocodiles.
