Namibia’s title was derived from Namib desert, which is believed to be the oldest desert on this planet. This distinctive geological function is famend for the pristine and haunting high quality of its panorama. It’s this function that characterizes the nation most, and is house to a few of the nation’s prime vacationer locations, notably Sossusvlei, Sandwich Harbour and the Skeleton Coast Park.
Far from being lifeless and barren, the desert options an uncommon number of desert-adapted wildlife, together with a lot of endemic plant, chicken, reptile and bug species. Many of those species are of explicit scientific curiosity and appeal to scientists from everywhere in the world.
CAPITAL: Windhoek
CLIMATE: Namibia has a dry local weather typical of a semi-desert nation the place droughts are an everyday prevalence. Days are largely heat to highly regarded, whereas nights are typically cool. Average day temperatures in the summertime fluctuate from 20°C – 34°C and common night time temperatures within the winter fluctuate 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 finest time to go to Namibia is Apr-Oct.
CURRENCY: 1 Namibia Dollar = 100 cents. Rands are accepted as authorized tender. Traveller’s cheques are accepted nearly in every single place. German Marks, USD or Swiss Franc traveller’s cheques are really helpful. In normal, bank cards are accepted by most inns in addition to in Namibia Wildlife Resorts the place MasterCard, Visa, (Diners Club and Amex not at all times), Namibian Dollars, Rand traveller’s cheques and financial institution assured cheques are accepted. Credit playing 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. Visitors 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. Tap water is secure.
LANGUAGE: English is the official language. In retailers, inns 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 May); Cassinga Day (4 May); Ascension Day (20 May); Africa Day (25 May); 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 comprised of karakul wool; Namibian semi-precious stones and diamonds; Herero dolls.
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: There is a Christian majority. Western customs and courtesies are noticed. Business 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’ environment; many sights together with the Gibeon Meteorite Fountain, National Art Gallery of Namibia, Tintenpalast, Namibia Craft Centre and National Botanical Garden; buying.
Fish River Canyon:
One of Namibia’s most spectacular geological phenomena; incorporates Ai-Ais Hot Springs, rugged mountainland, Fish River Canyon (second largest gorge in Africa) and Huns Mountains with remoted and otherworldly panorama and wealth of fascinating xerophytic crops; seasoned hikers regard the 4-5 day path as considered one of southern Africa’s main challenges.
Sossusvlei-Namib:
Naukluft Park Monumental dunes lie on the finish of an erosional trough shaped by the Tsauchab River; they’re star-shaped.
Etosha National 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 melancholy 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 Game Park; recognized additionally for its arts and crafts e.g. pots and baskets with their distinctive magnificence and symmetry; store at Lizauli Traditional Village and number of craft centres; different actions embody angling e.g. tiger fishing and recreation viewing on boat cruises.
Luderitz-Kolmanskop:
Namibia’s most well-known Ghost Town, located within the Sperrgebiet roughly 10km from Lüderitz; the museum recounts the historical past of this deserted mining group.
Swakopmund:
Popular due to its old-world allure and relaxed environment; distinct German colonial character; historic buildings and trendy aquarium; famend for kudu leather-based sneakers.
Cape Cross Seal Colony:
Home 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 chicken islands.
Epupa Falls:
One of Namibia’s prime vacationer spots; a collection 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 attainable to swim in these swimming pools, however preserve a lookout for crocodiles.
