Namibia

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Hiker climbing giant sand dune, Namibia

Introducing Namibia

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Wedged between the Kalahari and the South Atlantic, Namibia enjoys vast potential as one of the youngest countries in Africa. In addition to having a striking diversity of cultures and national origins, Namibia is a photographer’s dream – it boasts wild seascapes, rugged mountains, lonely deserts, stunning wildlife, colonial cities and nearly unlimited elbow room.

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A predominantly arid country, Namibia can be divided into four main topographical regions: the Namib Desert and coastal plains in the west, the eastward-sloping Central Plateau, the Kalahari along the borders with South Africa and Botswana and the densely wooded bushveld of the Kavango and Caprivi regions. Despite its harsh climate, Namibia has some of the world’s grandest national parks, ranging from the wildlife-rich Etosha National Park in Northwestern Namibia, to the dune fields and desert plains of the Namib-Naukluft Park in Western Namibia. Windhoek, in the Central Highlands, is the country's geographical heart and commercial nerve centre, with an ethnic mix of people, while surfers and beach-lovers won't want to miss Swakopmund.

Namibia is one of those dreamlike places that make you question whether something so visually orgasmic could actually exist. Time and space are less defined here. Landscapes collide. Experiences pile up. Watch a lion stalking its prey on a never-ending plain in Etosha. Fly down a giant dune on a sandboard. Spend a night alone in the desert under a sky so thick with stars you can’t differentiate between constellations.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009

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Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. pepe_the_bushman avatar
    RE: two weeks in Israel

    by pepe_the_bushman 14 September 2011

    Thank you everybody. I am Spanish and I grew up in a "Catholic culture" But I have traveled a lot (many countries in South and East of…
  2. StanInMaryland avatar
    RE: Namibia safari/tours

    by StanInMaryland 14 September 2011

    Another recommendation for Cardboard Box. My family used them for both a guided trip and a self drive and they were very good and very…
  3. Bokkraal avatar
    RE: Bus Service between Johannesburg and Gabarone (Botswana)

    by Bokkraal 14 September 2011

    Hi Musafir There is a bus service that goes via Gaberones to Namibia

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Top cities in Namibia

  1. Windhoek
  2. Swakopmund
  3. Lüderitz
  4. Fish River Canyon National Park
  5. Etosha National Park
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