Author: Denise Historical

Namibia has always been a rather strange and mysterious destination. It is the place where ghostly abandoned towns and skeleton beaches have ignited imaginations and enticed travellers from all over the world.

Today, Namibia is still an off the beaten track kind of destination and somewhat unknown in the travelling world. This is to the advantage of tourists who come here since some of the biggest attractions will be without tourists which will mean that you have some of the best scenes all to yourself.

While you are planning your Namibia tour, here are 10 exciting facts about the country that you should know about it:

1. Namibia is home to some 3000 free roaming cheetahs

Of all of the Southern Africa countries, Namibia has the most free roaming cheetahs. This massive population makes for some truly otherworldly sightings, especially when you see a cheetah racing across the grasslands at breakneck speeds. The cheetah is after all the fastest land mammal.

2. Namibia is named after the world’s oldest desert

The Namib Desert is considered the oldest in the world and it is estimated to be well over 1 million years old!

3. Namibia has the second smallest population in the world

Less than 2 million people call Namibia home and this makes travelling here quite exceptional as you will hardly ever come across another person while out on the road.

4. Namibia has a Skeleton Coast

And it is called the Skeleton Coast because when a dense fog descends on the desert sands from the icy cold Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is not just eerie but it is downright dangerous for passing ships. In the past, this stretch of coast claimed numerous ships.

The coastline is also a common place to see whale and seal bones.

5. Namibia was a German colony

Not only was Germany once in control of Namibia, but during World War 1, when South Africa was under British control, it was captured by South Africa. Namibia only became an independent nation in 1990.

6. Namibia has 13 ethnic groups

Nomadic tribes, who move from one place to the next in search of water and a place to feed their animals, make up a few of Namibia’s ethnic groups. The Himba are the people who you might come across the most, and they really stand out because it is only in the last 15 years that the tribe first had contact with the western world.

7. Namibia has desert elephants

These are not completely unlike your normal African elephants but they are different in that they are adapted to life in the desert.

8. Namibia’s environment is protected in its constitution

This makes Namibia the only country in the world with such a clause in its constitution.

9. Namibia has some of the highest dunes

The sand dunes of Namibia are quite the sight to behold, in fact, they are the very reason why most people choose to travel to this beautiful country. The sand dunes of the Sossusvlei are among the highest in the world.

10. Namibia has sandboarding!

Where else in the world can you go sandboarding? When you visit Namibia, you can go sandboarding down the dunes and it is truly an exhilarating ride!

Ready to visit Namibia? We offer some of the most exciting Namibia tours all at the very best prices.

When we think of a desert, we think of sand and sand dunes. The Namib Desert, however, has many wild animals, mostly in their National Parks, but also can be seen en route to your destination. If you are planning a Namibia tour, these are some of the animals you can spot.

Amongst the antelope you will see in Namibia is the Oryx, which is the national animal of Namibia. These beautiful animals roam everywhere in the country, from parks to small towns or villages. In the savannah areas of Namibia, Kudu can be seen eating leaves or fresh shoots. These antelope are very shy and will flee if they feel threatened. Another antelope that can be seen in many numbers is the Springbok. The Springbok is a smaller antelope, easily distinguished by their white belly, medium brown coat and white spot on their bottoms. These animals got their name because they run and jump, sometimes up to a height of 2 meters!

One of the animals found mainly in the National Parks of Namibia is the African Elephant. The only other place they are found in Namibia is in the Damaraland. Most Elephants are found in the Etosha National Park. Another animal that is protected in the National Parks of Namibia is the Rhinoceros. There are two species of Rhinoceros in the Namibia, the Black and the White Rhinoceros.

The Zebra’s black and white stripes are easily spotted in the bushy areas of Namibia. These animals are relatives of horses and live in large herds.

An interesting story about the wild animals in Namibia’s, is that of the wild Horses. During World War 1, there were about 6000 horses stationed at Garub. On the 27 March 1915 a pilot successfully dropped bombs on the camp, which resulted in many of the frightened horses running away. Today they are lovingly known as “The Namib’s”, the free horses of the Namib Desert. This area is no animal’s paradise as it is harsh and arid, but these horses survive against all odds in the barren plains around Garub.

Africa would not be Africa without Lions. The most famous lions in Namibia are the incredible desert-adapted lions of the Kunene. They are also resident in the woodlands of Etosha National Park, Caprivi, Kaokoland and Khaudom Park.

Due to huge organizational efforts, Namibia is now proudly known and the Cheetah Capital of the World. Namibia has more cheetah than any other country on earth. Otjitotongwe Cheetah Guest Farm is one of the personal guest farms found in Namibia. This guest farm focuses on the interaction with tame and wild cheetah. This family run guest farm will take you on an adventure amongst the wild cheetah during a game drive. You will also get the opportunity to join the family while they feed the tame cheetah. You may even get to touch the tame cheetah.

The Skeleton Coast National Park is along Namibia’s northern coastline and is home to one of the world’s largest breeding colonies of Cape Fur Seals. Here about 100 000 seals can be founds year round. A visit in November or December will ensure you see their tiny pups.

When you go on a Namibia tour, you can expect to see all sorts of interesting animals as well as interesting landscapes. You can book your tour today and visit this fascinating place.

Yes, women are definitely packing a different travel bag when they head to Namibia.

You’d think that those heading off on a Namibia tour are likely to pack the same things as they are, after all, going to the same place. But the needs of men and the needs of women, while out in the harshness of the desert, can be very different. And if you are one of the lucky ladies heading for a well deserved holiday in Namibia, we have got your back when it comes to making sure that you have packed all of the right stuff to get you through your days in the desert.

Namibia, like much of Africa, is a safari destination expect that while most of Africa has fairly temperate weather, Namibia, because of its desert land, is extreme when it comes to the weather. The days are often indescribably hot while the nights, even in the middle of summer, can be terribly cold. As a woman, not only do you need to balance out your clothing (we’re talking to you fashionista over packers! You don’t need an outfit for every occasion!) and you also need to think carefully about your toiletries.

A Packing Guide for Girls

Starting with the clothing, some of the things to think about include packing some long wintry (but not European wintry) clothing along with some light summer clothes. You can get away with one or two pairs of long pants, and a light jacket, as well as plenty of shorts and summery tees.

Cotton, for your summer clothing, is best, because it is breathable. Packing clothing that is made of a thicker material that doesn’t breathe, can become incredibly uncomfortable as you are most certainly going to sweat a lot during the day and even more so when driving.

As for shoes, you really only need two pairs. One pair for walking and one for casual days when you are exploring towns. Think light though, because you don’t want your luggage weighed down by heavy hiking boots when you could easily get away with a pair of sneakers.

Now we need to talk skin care. The desert is dry. Very dry. And your skin is going to need a good enough barrier to keep itself hydrated when the hot desert air is blowing on it. If you have oily skin, pack a heavier than usual moisturiser as well as your normal cream. You can see how the weather treats your skin and then decide which will work best. If you have dry skin, along with your normal moisturiser, pack something a bit heavier for those days when your skin is really dry.

And now for the most important part of all…SPF 50 baby. The African sun doesn’t discriminate when it shines and it will absolutely leave you with a bad skin damaging sun burn if you don’t protect yourself. Don’t just lather your face in your SPF, use it on your arms and legs too. When choosing an SPF don’t skimp and consider an SPF which dries so that you can avoid that oily look.

Get packing for the trip of a lifetime when you book your Namibia tour today. We offer a wide range of exciting holidays in Namibia and we can help you find the best tour to suit your expectations today.

When booking a Namibia tour, the name Kolmanskop could come up as one of the places you will visit. This fascinating little town is a must visit for the adventurer looking for a different kind of destination.

Zacherias Lewala was a railway worker shovelling drift sand off the railway tracks when he found some interesting looking stones. Fortunately for him, his inspector was a naturalist who asked the workers to bring any interesting finds to his office. Mr Stauch, his inspector, a former employee of De Beers in South Africa, took the stones to Luderitz for an expert opinion. Low and behold, the stones were diamonds!

Formerly the then German South-West Africa, had been offered to the Cape Government, who had politely refused this inhospitable region. The area was quickly pegged out and claimed. Labourers searched the area with jam jars, often even by moonlight. The jars filled quickly and the area was declared one of the richest diamond deposits in the world.

The town of Kolmanskop grew out of the diamonds found in the area. The area was under German administration and the town reflected the German character. Houses went up as well as a pub and skittle alley. By 1912 the area produced 11.7 per cent of the world’s total diamond production. The miners were able to afford every luxury in this harsh and barren landscape.

The mining operations were interrupted during World War 1, but resumed soon after. By the 1930’s the diamonds were all but depleted. In 1928 the richest diamond bearing deposits were found 270km south of Kolmanskop and the town’s inhabitants made a rush south, often leaving behind all the possessions. By 1956 the last three families deserted the town.

It took just 40 years for Kolmanskop to live, flourish and die. Today the desert sand that was once swept daily from the buildings gathers around the buildings undisturbed. Slowly the desert is filling the buildings empty rooms through broken windows and doors that stand open. Inside the houses signs of the life that was there can be found. Beautifully tiled kitchens, a battered kettle, a sad wardrobe or a bathtub is all that remains. The German architecture is still visible from a distance as the buildings stand lonely in the vast sandy landscape. The desert air is dry, and the only sound carried on the wind is the squick of a window as it is slowly worked loose from its hinges. The only life left in the town is a few isolated shrubs testing the limits of survival.

Tours are available to the town. An hour long tour is offered daily and can be booked from Luderitz. Some buildings have been lovingly restored to give the visitor a feel of the town in its heyday. Other buildings have been left to the elements and leave you with an eerie feeling of a dead town. In 1980 De Beers established a museum that displays some of the old mining implements as well as an extensive collection of photographs of the town when it housed around 1300 people.

One of Namibia’s most recognisable landmarks is Spitzkoppe. Spitzkoppe is approximately 180 kilometers from Swakopmund. This is a true hiker / rock climber’s paradise.

A trading post named “Spitzkopje” was built below the mountain in 1896. At the time it was in the centre of a 120 000 hectare farm. The german Colonial Society built a five room farmhouse as well as stables and other outbuildings. The farm held 1 500 cattle, 4 000 sheep and goats as well as 120 horses.

As early as 1904 legend has it the peak was reached. The story goes that a soldier of the Imperial Schutztruppe soloed the peak and supposedly made a fire on the summit. It’s a mystery as to what he burnt as there is no natural fuel for a fire on the upper parts of the peak. Asa the story goes he never returned form the peak and his body was never recovered.

Many people miss this magnificent landmark and drive pass totally unaware of the beauty that awaits closer inspection. Spitzkoppe rises an impressive 1 728 meters above the ground. An overnight stay at the rock, offers the visitor enough time to capture the variety of contrasting light and shadow patterns that can be seen as the sun rises and sets.

The granite of the Spitzkoppe mountain is dated at about 700 million years. Nicknamed the “Matterhorn” of Namibia because of its shape, there are several large peaks that jut up in different areas. The main peak is known as “Gross Spitzkoppe”, with several smaller peaks known as “Klein Spitzkoppe”, “Pondok Mountain” and the “Inselbergs” or islands mountains. These mountains form part of the Brandberg Mountains which are located to the north which are said to be formed by ancient volcanoes that split the Gondwanaland apart over 750 million years ago.

Spitzkoppe not only offers opportunity to the avid hiker or rock climber but also magnificient photographic opportunities because of the outstanding panoramic views of the mountain and the desert or just sit quietly and enjoy the stillness and vast beauty of the area.

Why not take it one step further and spend the night camping under the stars while the huge granite rock looms over you. Be sure to be up before sunrise so that you can watch as the sun slowly wakes the rock up and changes its colour changes from bright red to orange and then yellow as the shadows shift around you.

Habitation in the caves have a long history and are well documented by bushmen paintings. Climbing the rocks reward you with amazing views and can be done along or with a guide. Visitors interested in history will be captivated by the stories told by the guides during organised walks around the areas rock art and ancient drawings.

A tour of Namibia is simply incomplete when you have not seen the magnificent rocks of the Spitzkoppe. Make sure that you book your tour today or contact us to discuss your tour plans and ideas with one of our helpful consultants.

By now, if you have come this far in your search for the best Namibia tours, you already know just how special a destination Namibia is. It is one of the least populated places on earth, it is home to friendly people, and it is filled with the most exquisite landscapes and sights, and it is fascinating in a number of other ways too.

1. Did you know that Namibia has cheetah? It doesn’t seem like the kind of place that is home to the fastest land animals in Africa, but it happens to be the one place in Africa where you will find the biggest free roaming cheetah population. Between 2500 and 3000 cheetahs live freely in the country, and many are spotted during game drives or during a trip to the Cheetah Conservation Fund.
2. Namibia is an introverts’ paradise. Seriously, imagine being an introvert and living in a country with the second smallest population on earth? All that peace and quiet not only makes Namibia a fantastic place to indulge in some real alone time, but it also makes it the kind of place where you are forced to be self-reliant when out on a self-guided adventure. Luckily, if going on your own is not something that sounds like fun, guided tours of Namibia are readily available.
3. It is the only place with a Skeleton Coast. The western coastline of Namibia is a desolate place that is made eerie when winds from the icy cold Atlantic Ocean blow in, creating a heavy fog. This very fog is the reason why so many ships ended up wrecked and battered along the hidden rocks. Their final resting place has given this coastline its name. But the Skeleton Coast is not all doom and gloom. Here you can see seal colonies!
4. Namibia has a very interesting and complex colonial history. Of course the history, as it relates to people, dates back further than when Europeans landed in the country, but it is the colonial influence that still dominates in so many ways. First, Namibia was colonised by Germany. The German population is why so many buildings look as though they are better suited to Munich than the Namib Desert. But the legacy of German influenced ended after World War 1 when South Africa, fighting as a British ally, conquered Germany and took over. After that, the politics of South Africa, including Apartheid, heavily influenced the direction the country grew in. Today, Namibia is completely independent.
5. Namibia is home to desert elephants. And Namibia is one of only two countries in the world that can boast about this. Desert elephants are not so unlike their counterparts but they are better adapted to the harsh environment that is associated with life in the dry desert. These elephants, like the cheetahs, can often be spotted when out on a game drive.

Swakopmund was made world-famous when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie made the town their home while awaiting the birth of their twins. And there is a good reason why they came here, of all places. Swakopmund is an isolated oasis where guests can enjoy the sights and scenery in peace, while on a Namibia tour.

About Swakopmund

Before the area was occupied by the German settlers, Swakopmund was known by the San People as “Xwaka Ob. Translated this name means “Rhinoceros River”. In 1892 the German settlers renamed the town “Swachhaub” and when the district was officially proclaimed in 1896, its name was changed to a German name, Swakopmund” which means “Mouth of the Swakop.”

Today Swakopmund is a thriving beach resort city in the Namib Desert on the coast of Namibia approximately 352 km from Windhoek. Most of the buildings in Swakopmund are an example of German colonial architecture.

Buildings worth a visit when in Swakopmund is “The Woermannhaus” which was built in 1906 and includes a prominent tower that is known as the Damara Tower. Today the building is a public library.

Hohensollernhaus was built in 1906 in Neo-Baroque style as a hotel in the town. Today this magnificent building is a condominium. Look up at the entrance to see the statue on the roof.

Hotel Prinzessin Rupprecht was built in 1902 as a military hospital. The hospital consisted of 13 rooms. From 1904 to 1908 the hospital was used as a military hospital and in 1909 it was run as a District Hospital. Today it is a stunning hotel that is steeped in history.

Constructed in 1908 as a private school, the building is known as “Altes Amtsgericht” (Old Magistrates Court) as the school ran out of funds, the government took over the project and made it a magistrates court. During the 1960s it was used as a school dormitory, and today it is a municipal office.

As one of the least populated places on Earth, Namibia is, for the most part, a vastly untouched landscape of fascinating sights and features. Those travelling here are in for a real adventure, one that they will hold dearly in the memories for the rest of their lives. To see the Namibian landscapes in all of their glory, one of the best and most laidback ways, is on a Namibia tour. At Namibia Safaris we have some of the best arranged guided and unguided tours, designed to take our guests to some of the most incredible places. One of the key points of our tours, is making sure that our clients get a good view of the almost otherworldly landscapes.

Whether you are an amateur or professional photographer or not, when you come to Namibia, we advise you to bring along a good camera so that you can capture all of the ever changing landscapes.

Fish River Canyon and Spitzkoppe

Starting in the South, as some tours do, the Fish River Canyon and the Spitzkoppe area are two parts of Namibia that are well worth the visit, thanks to their awe inspiring landscapes. The Fish River Canyon is one of the oldest and the second biggest canyon on the planet. Although a rather barren place, it is indescribably beautiful and offers sights that you would not believe.

The other fascinating landscape is the boulders of Spitzkoppe which have the nickname of “the Matterhorn of Namibia”. These boulders are, like the Fish River Canyon, found along the edges of the Namib Desert.

Sossusvlei

The desert sands never stay in the same place for very long and those who have spent enough time in the Sossusvlei know this from first hand experience. The most iconic feature of the Sossusvlei is its sand dunes. These rolling dunes are featured in countless photographs captured by intrepid travellers.

The sand dunes surround another popular feature, which is the Sossusvlei pan, with its white salts and black, dead trees.

The dunes of the Sossusvlei are the highest in the world and they seem to always be changing colour. Throughout the day, as the sunlight hits the dunes at different angles, the colour of the sands glimmer and change. You can hike up these dunes, and get a unique view from the top. Doing this in the morning or late afternoon is best.

The most popular dune in the Sossusvlei is called Dune 7 but is best known by its nickname of Big Daddy. It stands at over 300m and can take quite a bit of effort to scale. When you get to the top, and you sit and bask in the gorgeous sunlight, you will get a real feel for just how remote this part of the world actually is!

The Namib

Most of Namibia is covered by the Namib Desert and it is a unique landscape all on its own. It is an arid and unforgiving place, and yet, in the north east it has all sorts of wildlife that have become adapted to life in the desert. And, in Etosha National Park, you can embark on an authentic African safari.