NAMIBIA SAFARIS AND TOURS
Namibia is a fascinating African destination that is on very few bucket lists. Because it is off the traditional tourist radar, it is often overlooked, but the fact that Namibia tours and safaris are overlooked is actually to your advantage.
Many people who choose Namibia as their getaway destination, often choose it for its peace and quiet. There are no overcrowded tourist hot spots and with so much open space, the country seems desolate even at the height of the holiday season.
Namibia is a place that can only be discovered and truly appreciated while visiting. Although photographers have published thousands of breathtaking photos of the almost Mars like landscape, the photos don’t do it any justice.
And while you may be a seasoned explorer of Africa, there is no place quite like Namibia, in terms of both natural beauty and that distinctly Namibian hospitality. The country is named after its most popular feature, the bare and prehistoric Namib Desert. One of the oldest deserts in the world, the Namib is a surreal place, and it covers the majority of the country.
But the desert is far from the only magnificent attraction to see. From the Sossusvlei with its glimmering salt pans and stark dead trees, to the haunting Skeleton Coast, sand filled ghost towns and lazy coastal towns, there is so much to see along the way.
For those looking for a little excitement, some time spent on the sand dunes are a must. Sand boarding, which is surfing on the sands, is a pastime not to be missed, and given the fact that there are so many sand dunes to enjoy, there won’t be a moment of boredom.
When you are not in awe of the beautiful natural attractions, there is the wildlife. Namibia might be a desert nation, but it is not without its animals. There are plenty of animals who have adapted to life in the harsh terrain, but there are other places in the country where the landscape is not sandy.
To the north-east of the country, closer to the Namibia/Botswana border, part of the Okavango Delta spills into the country and has become home to various wildlife populations. Other exceptional places to spot animals includes Damaraland, the Caprivi Strip, and Etosha, which is home to the Etosha National Park.
Finally, there is the people. The country is home to people who are fiercely proud of their heritages, which are as mixed and varied as the people themselves. The history of the people is as interesting as the history of the land, and the two are very much tied to each other. While touring the country, you won’t have to talk to every person you see in order to gain some insight and understanding about the people who call Namibia home.
Through the beautiful architecture of each small town to the history stocked away in the country’s many museums, visitors can learn a lot. The smaller towns such as Swakopmund and Luderitz, and the nation’s capital of Windhoek all tell the complicated tale of colonialism and traditionalism.
For those who decide to travel to the further reaches of the country during their Namibia tour, there is the opportunity to meet and interact with some of the indigenous people who still live very traditional lives. The Himba people are particularly striking. They decorate their bodies with red mud, with their hair delicately plated and pressed with the mud. The Himba make their home in the north-east of the country and their homes can often be seen from the road when on a Namibia safari.
Safaris in Namibia
To the south of the country, the San people have been living in the harshest conditions for centuries. These people are well known for having a deep and beautiful wisdom, and if you are one of the fortunate people who get to meet and spend some time with them, you will leave the country a changed person. The San mostly live in the Kalahari Desert, which covers parts of Namibia and South Africa.