Namibia Guide

 

 

GEOGRAPHY

Namibia lies in Southwest Africa and borders the South Atlantic Ocean to the west, Angola to the north, Zambia in the northeast, Botswana in Southeast and South Africa to the south.  The country encompasses broad geographical variations and can be divided into four regions. The dunes and desert coastal plains of Namib, the Skeleton Coast, the Kalahari Basin and the wooded bushveld of Kavango and Caprivi.

CLIMATE

In general Namibia has a dry climate with the exception of the high rainfall area in the far north east. The country is regarded as a semi-desert country where droughts are frequently to occur. The rainy season is between January and March and the dry season between May and October. The best period to visit Namibia is during the dry season.
Temperatures during the day are on average around 30 degrees centigrade from September to April (15 at night) and around 20 degrees between June and August (5 at night).
Average rainfalls vary greatly from less than 50 mm along the coast to up to 700 mm in the far north-east.
For a 5 days weather forecast click here: www.bbc.co.uk/weather

 

FLORA and FAUNA

Namibia has different vegetation zones : desert, semi-desert, forest savannahs woodlands, bush woodlands, dwarf shrub, camel thorn, mixed trees and shrub savannahs.
The large mammal group represented by elephant giraffe, rhino, and antelope with endangered species such as black rhino, cheetah, wild dog, lion, kudu, waterbuck and oribi.  Namibia also has a wide variety of bird species, including the colourful lilac-breasted rollers, scimitarbills, bee-eaters and numerous birds of prey.  It is also home to a small population of the endangered Cape Vulture.

 

PLACES TO VISIT

The Central Plateau
The Central Plateau is the prize of colonialism. This is prime agricultural land and the German and Afrikaner settlers and their families who have inherited this area run sheep and cattle on vast, wide-open rural properties, or grow citrus fruit and market vegetables.

Fish River Canyon
There's nowhere else in Africa like Fish River Canyon, which has been gouging this gorge for thousands of years with incredible results. It's huge - 160km (99mi) long and 27km (17mi) wide - and most of the canyon falls within Fish River Canyon National Park, where you can camp, walk, hike or relax in the bubbling hot springs.

At the northern end of the national park, there's the Hobas information centre, picnic sites, camp grounds and walking trails, and access to some of the best viewpoints in the canyon.

Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is a huge ephemeral pan set amid towering red dunes that reach up to 325m (1066ft). The dunes are part of the 32000 sq km (12355 sq mi) sand sea covering much of western Namibia and belong to one of the oldest and driest ecosystems on earth. The landscape here is constantly changing as colours shift with the light and wind alters dune shapes.

Ethosha National Park
The most famous Namibian park consists of salt pan, which is approximately 4 500 square kilometres large, woodland and grassland habitats. It is easily accessible and open all year round. Accommodation is available in three camps: Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni, as well as in lodges outside the park gates.  Animal species inhabiting the park include cheetah, elephant, gemsbok, giraffe, hartebeest, impala, kudu, leopard, lion, rhinoceri, springbok, wildebeest, zebra and more than 300 species of bird.

Khaudom Game Park
Consists mostly of semi-desert. Access by poor road from Grootfontein or Rundu.  Open all year round although access is only permitted to four wheel drive vehicles. Accommodation is available. Animal species living in the park include antelopes, elephants, zebras and a variety of birds.

Mahango Game Reserve
The small but picturesque Mahango Game Reserve is situated in the north-east of Namibia on the Botswana border. Mahango covers an area of about 30,000 hectares and is separated from the Caprivi Game Reserve by the Okavango River.
Two game viewing roads provide the opportunity to view wildlife including elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, hippo, lechwe, sitatunga, buffalo, sable, and roan and other antelopes. The Reserve is only accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Namib – Naukluft National ParkConsists of desert, semi-desert and mountains. Access by untarred road from Windhoek, Walvis Bay or Luderitz via Helmeringhausen. It is open all year round, although access is not permitted into the Sperrgebiet, or diamond area. Different types of accommodation are available, including camping grounds and lodges. Animal species living in the park include cheetah, klipspringer, kudu, leopard, springbok and zebra.

Skeleton Coast Park
Access by untarred road from Swakopmund or from Khorixas. Open all year round. Accommodation available. Animal species living in the park include elephants, hyenas, jackals and a wide variety of birds.

Waterberg Plateu Park
Consists of savannah and woodland. Access by road from Windhoek or from Otjiwarongo. Accommodation is available. Animal species living in the park include antelopes, buffaloes, bushbabies, cheetahs, rhinoceros, and more than 100 species of birds.

Caprivi Game Reserve
Access by road from Rundu or Katima Mulilo. Accommodation is available. Animal species living in the park include crocodiles, hippopotamus and a wide variety of birds.

 

POPULATION
The estimated population of the country is currently 2 million people. Population density of less than 2 people per square kilometre.
Black 86%, white 6.6%, mixed 7.4%. About 50% of the population belong to the Owambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are: Herero and Himba 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%

 

LANGUAGES

The official language of the country is English, although German and Afrikaans are widely spoken. Indigenous languages include Bantu languages such as Owambo, Kavango, Herero, Caprivi and Tswana, and Khoisan languages spoken by the Nama-Damara and San (Bushmen) people.

 

RELIGIONS

Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least, other Christian denominations 30%), native religions 10% to 20%

 

AIRPORTS

There are two international airports in Namibia - Hosea Kutako International airport situated 42 km from Windhoek, and Walvis Bay airport. All Namibia's major towns have airport or registered landing strips.

 

ROADS

The country has a well-maintained network of surfaced and gravel roads covering more than 40 000 km in total. Trans-Caprivi and Trans-Kalahari highways give the country access to Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

 

RAILWAY

The railway network consists of more than 2400 km of railway lines connecting major towns in the country. The Desert Express is the 5-star luxury train service between Windhoek and Swakopmund. Once a year the Rovos Rail from South Africa offers 2 600 km trip from Johannesburg to Swakopmund.

 

CURRENCY

The national currency of Namibia is Namibian dollar (N$) with a current rate of approximately 6.3 N$ for 1 US$. South African Rand is also legal tender in the country and linked to Namibian dollar on 1:1 basis.

 

VISAS OVERVIEW

Visitors from Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Germany, UK, Ireland, Canada and US don’t need a visa.

 

TIME ZONE

Summer time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (first Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April). Winter time is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (first Sunday in April to first Sunday in September).

 

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS

The northern, northern-east and far northern-east areas of Namibia are prone to Malaria and visitors are advised to take prophylaxis.

 

WHAT TO BUY

Semi-precious stones and gems, diamonds, baskets, wire and bead work, wood carvings and Herero dolls.

 

INTERNET

Most of major towns have internet access. Expect to pay about N$10 per half hour at internet cafes.