Namibia’s title was derived from Namib desert, which is believed to be the oldest desert on this planet. This distinctive geological characteristic is famend for the pristine and haunting high quality of its panorama. It is this characteristic that characterizes the nation most, and is residence to a number of the nation’s high 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 natural world, together with numerous endemic plant, chook, reptile and bug species. Many of those species are of explicit 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 a daily incidence. Days are principally heat to extremely popular, whereas nights are typically cool. Common day temperatures in the summertime range from 20°C – 34°C and common evening temperatures within the winter range 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 plentiful summer season rains. The most effective 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 all over the place. German Marks, USD or Swiss Franc traveller’s cheques are really useful. Usually, bank cards are accepted by most lodges 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 gasoline.
ELECTRICITY: 220 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are 3-pin spherical.
HEALTH: A yellow fever vaccination certificates is required from travellers over 1 yr of age coming from contaminated areas. Guests are suggested to take pre-arrival precautions in opposition to malaria (threat exists Nov-Jun within the northern areas resembling 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 protected.
LANGUAGE: English is the official language. In outlets, lodges 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 constructed from 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 p.c 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:
One in all Namibia’s most spectacular geological phenomena; incorporates Ai-Ais Scorching Springs, rugged mountainland, Fish River Canyon (second largest gorge in Africa) and Huns Mountains with remoted and otherworldly panorama and wealth of attention-grabbing xerophytic crops; seasoned hikers regard the 4-5 day path as one among 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 sport reserves in Africa; its definitive characteristic is the Etosha Pan, an unlimited shallow melancholy of approx. 5000km²; elephants listed here are reputed to be of the biggest in Africa; of the 114 mammal species discovered within the park, a number of are uncommon and endangered; chook life is attention-grabbing 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 high birding spots, particularly the Caprivi Recreation Park; recognized 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 sport 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 neighborhood.
Swakopmund:
In style due to its old-world appeal 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 largest 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 chook islands.
Epupa Falls:
One in all 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 doable to swim in these swimming pools, however hold a lookout for crocodiles.
