Physical Features: Namibia Travel, Namibia Safaris & Tours

Namibia Travel

Physical Features

The Namib, the most ancient desert in the world, acts as a barrier between the central highlands and the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Namibia’s long coastline is set against a backdrop of vast sand dunes, gravel deserts, wild seascapes and shipwrecks. The gravel dunes and sand flats once submerged below sea level are rich picking grounds for multinational diamond miners. Salt flats and even freshwater lagoons at various places along the coast are home to thousands of flamingos, pelicans and other waders and water birds.

The magnificent Fish River Canyon and the eastern edge of the Namib Desert stretch north from the Orange River in the south and represent an area of stark beauty. The canyon is next in size to The Grand Canyon in North America, which makes it the worlds second largest. This southern and central interior region is a vast open expanse of grasslands and desert vegetation interspersed by stark mountains and isolated oasis where the presence of mainly subterranean water allows for cultivation of various crops. Moving further west towards the Botswana border the landscape changes into the vast sea of red sand and thorn trees of the Kalahari Desert that reaches far east across the entire land of Botswana. Here is another superb wilderness area of solitude and vast open wetlands teaming with wildlife and sparse human populations.

The central plateau, which rises to elevations of 2000 metres, gives way towards the north-west of the territory to the spectacular Damaraland and Kaokoveld areas. These areas are home to the rare desert elephant and black rhino and a landscape twisted and torn by the harshness of the environment and the searing sun. Vast open pans and mopane woodlands dominate the northern areas of Namibia. The dry pans reflect a blinding white light from their infinite emptiness that changes to cool ice blue when water covers their silvery expanse for brief periods during the rainy season. The Etosha National Park, Namibia`s premier wildlife reserve, is the central showpiece of this spectacular area.

The eastern tip of Namibia including the Caprivi is in stark contrast to the remainder of Namibia. This is a region of forests, rivers and seasonal swamps fed by the Kwando, Kavango and the mighty Zambezi Rivers that flow out of the north in Angola and western Zambia. The Zambezi River dominates the eastern Caprivi and the seasonal floods can push across the flat lands swelling the river to many kilometres wide. Beautiful sylvan islands dot the main channels of the rivers and the opportunities for fishing, bird watching and game viewing in the area are unprecedented.

Travel to Namib Region	Travel to Caprivi Strip
Travel to Central Namibia	Travel to Northern Namibia
Travel to Southern Namibia	Travel to Skeleton Coast Region

Tours covering Namibia - Show all safaris & tours covering Namibia »»
	Royal Livingstone & Impalila Island From per person per night	A beautiful 5 day trip whereby luxury and tranquility to create an unforgettable wilderness experience. The Royal Livingstone Hotel is situated on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls. With its unique Zambezi River frontage a stones throw away from the rooms, the hotel offers both adventure and great tranquilty. Impalila Island forms the north-eastern tip of Namibia and lies just 70km's west of Victoria Falls. Impalila Island Lodge is a luxury lodge with the essence on privacy and relaxation, which makes it a perfect destination. *Tour Duration:* 5 days

	Sossusvlei Adventure : Windhoek - Sossusvlei - Windhoek From $497 per person per night	A 3-day trip that takes you from Windhoek to the spectacular dunes of the Sossuvlei and back to Windhoek. Stay overnight in the luxurious Namib Naukluft Lodge. *Tour Duration:* 3 days

	Royal Livingstone Hotel, Impalila Island Lodge & Susuwe Island Lodge From per person per night	A stunning 7 day trip to the mighty Victoria Falls, the north-eastern tip of Namibia and the remote Kwando River. This trip provides visitors with the opportunity to experience luxury and tranquility as well as a wild and untouched island stay. *Tour Duration:* 7 days

	Show all safaris & tours covering Namibia »»

Namibia - Tourist Information
Statistics Statistics Population: 2.0 million Area: 852 418 sq. kms. GDP per capita: US$ 7 000 Languages: English, Afrikaans, German		Introduction Incredible quiet is the overwhelming impression of this vast, sparsely populated country. Rugged mountains of sun-seared rock point their jagged edges into the vast expanse of blue African sky.... More »»
Climate Namibia is considered an arid country with an average precipitation level of only 270mm. The climate is generally temperate to warm in the interior with a temperate yet very dry climate along the... More »»		Currency and Credit Cards The currency in Namibia is the Namibian Dollar. The currency in Namibia is the Namibian Dollar. At this moment there are banknotes in denominations of $200, $100, $50, $20 and $10 and coins of $5, $1,... More »»
Electricity The Namibian power grid uses 220/240 volts AC 50 Hertz. Wall sockets (round 3 pin) are rated to carry a maximum of 15 amps. It is important to carry a 3 pin round adapter, which can be purchased in... More »»		Public Holidays 01 January - New Year’s Day 21 March - Independence Day Good Friday (Easter weekend) - April (variable date) Family Day (Easter weekend) - April (variable date) 01 May - Workers day 04 May -... More »»
Visas and Entry Requirements Valid passports are required by all foreign nationals to enter Namibia. Citizens of the following countries do not require visas to enter Namibia: United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Russia,... More »»		Economy Namibia is particularly rich in alluvial diamond deposits that are mined with earth moving equipment along the southern coastal areas, under the immense sand dunes along the coast, and from the seabed... More »»
Geography Namibia is situated between the Cunene and Kavango Rivers forming part of Angola’s border in the north and the Orange River, which demarcates South Africa’s border in the south, with Botswana forming... More »»		History The harsh and unrelenting nature of Namibia acted as a deterrent to an early European colonisation of this country. Isolated contact with European explorers, traders and hunters stretched back as far... More »»
Physical Features The Namib, the most ancient desert in the world, acts as a barrier between the central highlands and the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Namibia’s long coastline is set against a backdrop of vast... More »»		Political Features Namibia is divided into thirteen regions and its official, yet least spoken language, is English. English is the language of business and government. The capital city is Windhoek, which is situated at... More »»
Accommodation Namibia provides a wide-range of tourist accommodation ranging from luxury hotels to bed and breakfast type accommodation to simple National Parks bungalows and campsites.		Banks and Foreign Exchange Banking hours in most centres are 09h00 to 15h30 Mondays to Fridays, and 08h30 to 11j00 on Saturday. Foreign bank notes and travellers cheques may be converted into local currency at most banks... More »»
Business Hours Most businesses and shops are open between 08h30 and 17h00 on weekdays and between 09h00 and 13h00 on Saturdays.		Dining and Drinking Namibian food reflects the agricultural and marine resources of the country. Superb meat products including beef, lamb and venison feature prominently. The countries rich marine reserves also reflect... More »»
Media and Television A small variety of daily and weekly English and other local language newspapers are available in Namibia. In addition regular periodicals produced in South Africa covering every conceivable subject... More »»		Medical Care Visitors are responsible for their own medical needs and it is advisable to carry comprehensive medical insurance. There are Public Hospitals in Windhoek and in most towns with services ranging from... More »»
Postal Services Post Offices are open from 08h30 to 16h00 on weekdays and from 08h30 to 12h00 on Saturdays.		Telephones A modern and efficient telephone service is available in almost all parts of the country. Direct national and international dialling is possible in almost all areas. Pay phones operating with coins... More »»
Tipping Tipping for service is standard practice in Namibia and usually ranges around 10% in restaurants and about N$5 for hotel porters. Cleaners and maids in hotels and Bed and Breakfast establishments... More »»		Air Travel Direct flights from Germany and the United Kingdom link Namibia direct to Europe. Flights from other European countries, North and South America, Australia, the Far East and the Middle East provide... More »»
Road Travel and Public Transport The road network is well developed and of a high standard. Most major international and a number of local car hire companies are represented in Namibia. Easy access to car hire from Windhoek airport... More »»		Security Namibia is a relatively crime free country. Petty thieving can be a problem and occasionally crime of a more serious nature does occur. Visitors should be aware of the following: · Avoid lonely and... More »»

Map of Namibia

	HEAD OFFICE 8 Kramer Road Kramerville Sandton, Johannesburg, 2146 South Africa Tel: +2711 262-6311

NAMIBIA

Namibia Travel

Physical Features

Tours covering Namibia

Namibia - Tourist Information

Map of Namibia