Namibia

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Hiker climbing giant sand dune, Namibia

Introducing Namibia

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.

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Last updated: Feb 21, 2012

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Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. Papa_Shango avatar
    RE: 12 day tour of Namibia--self drive or tour?--recommendations???

    by Papa_Shango 27 May 2012

    anyone got any comments????....Love to hear what you guys think...
  2. VanManHanDanSanCan avatar
    Re: Renting a car from Cape Town

    by VanManHanDanSanCan 27 May 2012

    Hi, Know this is a older thread, but others might find it useful. My tip is to find a small company to rent from, did that in Joburg…
  3. stokeygirl avatar
    RE: Looking For Travel Partners, Southern Africa Road Trip Mid-December

    by stokeygirl 26 May 2012

    This sounds way over-ambitious for a month. Even double that amount of time isn't enough- that is the time an overland truck trip would…

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