Namibia
Pictures
The Dead Vlei in Namibia ©
Fast Facts
- 825,418 square kilometres, more than three times as big as the UK
- 2 million people, with an average life expectancy of 43 years
- Official language is English, but Oshiwambo and Afrikaans widely spoken
- 21% of the adult population is HIV-positive
- 35% of the population lives below the local poverty line
- 3.6% are internet users, and 24% own a mobile phone
- 42,237km of roads, 13% of them paved
Lay of the land
Namibia can be divided into three regions: a low-lying coastal belt, central plateau running north to south, and the Kalahari Desert. It could be heaven for Ewan and Charley: wide spaces, big skies, great roads and few people (Namibia is the second most sparsely populated country in the world, after Mongolia).
And on the way...
The bushmen or San - the indigenous, hunter-gathering people of the Kalahari desert, believed to be among the oldest on the planet.
The Himba - a nomadic people who live near Namibia's Skeleton Coast. Their isolation means their ancient culture has survived largely intact.
The Herero - Herero women are known for their Victorian-style clothing, introduced by European missionaries in the 19th century and never abandoned.
Other highlights
Damaraland - spectacular scenery in the territory between the Skeleton Coast and Namibia's central plateau. The area is home to species that have adapted to their desert habitat, including giraffes, zebras, elephants and black rhinos.
Sossusvlei Dunes - part of the Namib desert, with towering red dunes.
The Skeleton Coast - the northern part of Namibia's Atlantic coast. With an inaccessible and hostile shoreline that is often shrouded in fog, it has caused hundreds of shipwrecks.
Fish River Canyon - dramatic rock formations in Africa's largest ravine.
Namib Desert - stretching along the Atlantic coast, this is considered the oldest desert in the world, with at least 80 million years of very dry conditions.
The people
Most of the population is black African, mainly of the Ovambo tribe. There are large groups of Khoisan (for example, Nama and bushmen) who are descendants of the original inhabitants of southern Africa.
Did you know...
Frank 'Frankie' Fredericks - Namibia's most famous athlete, and the country's only Olympic medallist. He won two silver medals at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics (100 metres and 200 metres), plus two at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (100 metres and 200 metres).
Comments
Comments 1 - 10 of 17
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At 08:04:58 PM on 13/05/2007, Swanny (Cambridge) wrote:
Namibia or Mars?
Doros Crater in Namibia for the rare desert black rhino (Save the Rhino Trust) then south to the Ugab river crossing and then west to the sceleton coast. Cannot be beaten. Paul Brehem is the man that knows.
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At 03:34:43 PM on 10/06/2007, Rob Jones (Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates) wrote:
Enjoy Southern Africa
Guys-Enjoy southern africa especially Namibia spent 20 years in the region, good biking country and a land of contrasts, spectacular landscapes, superb wildlife and great people, beers are not bad either. Now in UAE with my trusty GS 1200 exploring the GCC countries. Drive carefully and have a blast
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At 05:14:09 PM on 12/06/2007, Mick (Gibraltar) wrote:
The Best Place on Earth
You will adore Namibia (South West Africa). Fantastic roads. Take a peek at the Fish River Canyon and call in at Swokopomund if you have time. Ride safely and enjoy.
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At 07:52:05 AM on 29/06/2007, Fiona (Newport, Shropshire) wrote:
You'll love it
I spent three months in Namibia recently working with the charity Raleigh International, and I loved it. Although Cape Cross was rather chilly, and so was Windhoek at night (my water froze when I left it outside my tent overnight). Just watch out for springbok and kudu on the roads!
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At 11:03:34 AM on 02/07/2007, David Pearce (Chepstow) wrote:
Namibia
Fantastic country with beer brewed to the Bavarian purity rules. Watch out for dust - difficult to overtake vehicles - and animals at dusk / night. Best places: Epupa Falls, Damaraland (track rhino and elephant), Ongongo Falls (best place to wash off dust but watch out for snakes - I woke to find a Zebra snake next to my foot and it bit me when I moved), Spitzekoppe (arch shaped like an eye & paintings), Swakop (jewellery), sand-dunes (Sossusvlei or between Swakop and Walvis Bay).
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At 01:14:19 PM on 03/07/2007, Daleen (Windhoek) wrote:
Welcome to Namibia
I hope you truly enjoy Namibia. It is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, it ranges from barren to savanna and all of it is beautiful. enjoy and take care of the kudu's and warthogs on the road.Hope to see you in Windhoek. Enjoy
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At 12:04:56 PM on 04/07/2007, Chris (Bournemouth) wrote:
Oasis in the Desert
My wife and I went on our honeymoon to Namibia in 2002 and it was fantastic! Really recommend staying at the Kulala Desert Lodge near Sossusvlei. It was great to have somewhere really relaxing to stop over on our travels and the local people helping to run the lodge were very friendly.
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At 08:04:43 AM on 06/07/2007, Rachael (Windhoek) wrote:
Tips for Nam
Hope you enjoy this fantastic country. Unfortunately you are travelling in winter time and it will be peak tourist season when you reach here. Nights are likely to be around zero (even though days are generally pleasant -mid 20's) and there are likely to be hordes of Italians. Also worth remembering that the Skeleton Coast is often misty and cool all year round (although can have sand storms when the temp soars to 40C). Can't drive bikes in the game parks but presume this is true in most countries - don't want to be a lion snack!
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At 01:48:23 PM on 18/07/2007, neslon (newcastle) wrote:
when are they expected?
I'm out there for the next 3 weeks, touring around. Does anyone know when they are due to pass through Namibia?
At 07:59:37 PM on 13/05/2007, Swanny (Cambridge) wrote:
With you all the way
Best of Luck Guys. Am so jealous. Make the most of Namibia. Truly spectacular for open space. Must do Sceleton Coast North to South. Rolling your sleeping bag out in the desert and sleeping under the stars (no tent) is special - if you dare. Found fresh leopard tracks 20 metres away last time I did that. Enjoy.
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