The Wonder of Namibia - Africa Travel

After having lived and worked in Africa for over a decade I often get asked where is my favourite place to travel in Africa. The answer always includes Namibia! The scenery, the culture, the vastness and the beauty is hard to top in a single country anywhere. The country has good infrastructure and well maintained roads, revealing stunning vistas at each turn. Here are a few of my favourite wonders of Namibia.

Sossusvlei and Deadvlei

Picture that you are in the middle of a desert with open flat vistas but then you turn and towering above you are dunes that are higher than the Eiffel Tower! This is the spectacle of Sossusvlei and why it is a must see, especially at sunrise and sunset. The 60km drive from Sesreim into Sossuvlei is one of jaw-dropping beauty as you drive into the heart of these massive mountains of sand. For the adventurous I recommend climbing up one of these towering dunes to take in the spectacular vista - a wonderful reward for your effort.

Further on is the wonderful dry salt pan known as Deadvlei. A tranquil stroll leads into an otherworldly landscape where camel thorn trees are silhouetted against the stark white of the clay pan. The peace, tranquility and sheer beauty of this area is hard to beat and well worth time exploring.

Fish River Canyon

A little known fact is that the largest canyon in the southern hemisphere and the second largest canyon in the world (only beaten by the Grand Canyon in the USA) can be found in Namibia. Sitting at Hobas on the edge of the Fish River Canyon, peering down into it's depth, I get a sense of just how small I am in relation to the Earth. The canyon is over 160 kilometres in length, up to 27 kilometres wide in parts and reaches depths of 550 metres. The Fish River, which flows only during the late summer, is only a series of pools throughout most of the year. However the power of the river has left its mark over time, sculpting the Fish River Canyon into a UNESCO World Heritage site recognised for it's impressive size and geological significance.

Swakopmund

Swakopmund, Namibia's second largest town, is known for its mix of German colonial architecture, adventure activities and it's unique location between the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean. Having lived in this town for over a year I can truly attest to the magic of Swakopmund. The cold Benguela current often ensures an eerie layer of fog heralds the start of the day but this disappears by mid-morning. The temperatures are beautiful and the vibe is laid back, as all holiday destinations should be! I highly recommend strolling through town to marvel at the old German architecture, which gives the town a European feel, and enjoying some of the delicious food on offer.

Damaraland

Damaraland is a geologists dream destination with its rich history evident in the beautiful rock formations to be found in the area. For everyone else it is a truly stunning area of the world with much to be seen. One of my favourite places to go is known as Spitzkoppe, often referred to as the 'Matterhorn of Africa', where rounded granite mountains lure visitors to explore. Damaraland is also home to over 2000 San / Bushman rock paintings and engravings. Twyfelfontein, features petroglyhs - effectively carvings into open rock faces - where scenes of animals and hunters give an insight into the life of the San. The area is regarded as one of the most important rock art sites in the world.

Also living in the harsh lands of Damaraland are the desert-adapted elephants and black rhino. I have been able to take a black rhino walking safari in Damaraland, where being on foot provides a totally different understanding of this incredible area. Elephant populations are famed here as their ability to find water is second to none. Stories are told of one particular elephant matriarch who, in times of extreme drought, successfully led her herd to a water source that she had only visited as an infant over 50 years earlier. I was in awe watching elephants dig holes into sandy dry riverbeds to extract water.

Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park is a game park like no other. It boasts a staggering array of wildlife with over 114 species of animals and 340 species of birds identified here. Etosha literally means, 'Great White Place', and the Etosha Pan is so large that it is visible from space! The Etosha pan, covering 4,800 square kilometres, takes up a quarter of the park. It was first formed over 100 million years ago!

Etosha National Park is truly unique and special for so many reasons. I love that there are waterholes found throughout the park where animals will congregate for water. Sitting by a waterhole you watch a parade of animals arrive and depart in their never-ending need for water. It is one of the only places I have seen multiple species together and been able to observe their interactions. Elephants literally run to the waters edge whilst the giraffe make a very tentative journey to the waterhole and often get so close to drinking only to panic and circle warily again before making another attempt to drink. Waterholes at various lodges provide another experience, especially at night when the waterholes are floodlit, so you can continue to enjoy wildlife opprtunities.

Rich Cultural Opportunities

Namibia has a rich cultural history with opportunities to learn about and interact with the San, the Himba and the Herero cultures. The San, or the Bushmen, are one of the oldest indigenous groups with history in Namibia estimated to reach back 20,000 years. As hunters and gatherers they are known for their profound connection to nature and incredible survival skills. The Himba, a semi-nomadic pastoralist ethnic group, can be found in the northwest of Namibia. They are renowned for their distinctive red-ochre body paint and traditional lifestyle which has managed to remain throughout time. The Herero are a proud Bantu tribal group who are renowned for their distinctive traditional dress which points to colonial influences and their pride as successful pastoralists. The women wear ankle length skirts with many petticoats and beautiful cloth headdresses to symbolise cattle horns. Their colourful attire is almost always matched by their beautiful smiles!

There are so many other experiences and wonders of Namibia that flood my mind but I really should leave some for you to explore and discover too! Looking back it is so easy to understand why Namibia will always own part of my heart!