Namibia.
It's the circle of life! Need we say more? Prepare to stroll onto the set of 'The Lion King'. This is a land of extremes, ruled by wildlife, where the African desert meets the ocean.
Etosha National Park, among Africa's largest wildlife sanctuaries, is dominated by a vast white glittering salt pan. Africa's familiar 'huge 5' of lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and rhinos can be seen and the park is one of the very best locations in Africa to find cheetah and the endangered black rhino. At Kamanjab you can visit the popular Otjitotongwe Cheetah Park, where you'll have the possibility to get up close and personal with these gorgeous animals.
Swakopmund is a historic German colonial town surrounded by desert which is positioned on the Atlantic Ocean coast and has a series of optional trips, such as sand boarding, quad biking, tandem sky diving, video game fishing and much more. Cape Cross has a large nest of around 100,000 Cape Cross fur seals. There are adventure tours to enjoy a scenic drive on an overland truck through some stunning mountainous areas and through the Namib-Naukluft National forest, famous for its giant sand dunes, on your way to Seseriem Canyon.
Must-dos:
Check out the Sossusvlei desert, fringed on all sides by giant sand dunes.
Climb Up 'Huge Daddy'-- the biggest dune in the world-- then trek your method along the famous Dune 45. Additional brownie points for those who make it there for daybreak
Walk on the wild side, on the Caprivi Strip. You won't find yourself sipping on cocktails or dancing the night away here - it's not that kind off strip - but you will get to drink up a wetland wildlife paradise. Expect to see hippos, crocodiles and buffalo bathing in the blazing heat of the African sun.
Those who dare can blaze down the Skeleton Coast. Dotted with decrepit shipwrecks, this vast stretch of coastline seems like completion of the Earth.
Creep, climb and crawl (with your video camera firmly in hand) around the eerie and surreal sand-filled homes in the deserted town of Kolmanskop.
Short history.
Namibia was initially occupied by the San (or Basarwa) Bushmen who interact by clicking tongues; the Damara and Namaqua and later on the Bantu when their expansion reached the location. Europeans did not show up until the 19th century and Namibia was then South West Africa. The Germans controlled all of what is now Namibia (apart from Walvis Bay which was under British control up until 1994) until South Africa administered rule during both world wars approximately independence in 1990.
Geography and weather condition.
After Mongolia, Namibia is the least largely inhabited country worldwide with an average of 2.5 individuals per square kilometre. It shares the Kalahari Desert with Botswana and South Africa and also has the Namib Desert which extends along the whole shoreline, making most of the nation really dry, hot and dry. The Skeleton Coast is a part of this area, so called due to the many shipwrecks that lie littered inland in the desert caused by the unwelcome conditions and unsafe coastline of this area.
Through the centre of the country runs the central plateau reaching a height of just over 2,500 metres and is where the capital Windhoek is to be discovered. This is likewise where almost all of the agriculture of the country is found.
In the north east of the nation is the bushveld - the area where the most rain happens and the temperatures are much less serious. Adjacent to this is the Etosha Pan-- house to the national forest of the exact same name. For the most part of the year, it is a dry saline wasteland with a few watering holes dotted around its vast location that the animals need to visit to survive-- thus offering outstanding video game viewing chances. However, during the wet season (November to April with the main rains beginning in January) it becomes a substantial shallow lake of over 6000 square km's. At this time, it can likewise be nearly unbearably hot and damp.
Visas.
Presently EU, United States, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand residents do not need a visa to go into Namibia. Nevertheless, it is your own obligation to inspect all visa requirements prior to traveling.
It is required for all visitors to Namibia to have at least 2 blank pages in their passport for entry/departure endorsements by the Namibian Migration Service. Visitors who are showing up overland from South Africa will likewise require two blank pages for their South African entry and exit. Please check your passport before travel to make sure that you can fulfil these requirements.
Important: pounds sterling are not accepted at border crossings so bring US dollars cash for any visa costs at the border.
Cash.
The financial system in Namibia is the Namibian dollar.
In general, Visa is the only charge card that will work all over in Africa. Master Card, AMEX and Cirrus will work in some countries however not in others.
On arrival at Windhoek International Airport we suggest that you withdraw some Namibian dollars at the ATM or change some money at the bank if you only have US dollars or visitors cheque's. Modification enough cash to see you through the very first few days of your journey-- particularly if it is a weekend.
We advise that you bring money in US dollars just. When altering cash, it is a good idea if at all possible, to get small denomination notes and coins in the local currency as typically there is an absence of change when you are making purchases and no-one in Africa ever appears to have modification.
Please note that it is not possible to withdraw United States dollars from ATM's in Africa, just local currency.
Security.
Criminal activity is not a fantastic issue in Namibia, but you should still take care and not become complacent. Do not walk around lonesome back streets, specifically by yourself, don't wear expensive looking jewellery or an elegant watch and do not bring a wallet in your back pocket. Do not bring your video camera freely; constantly have it in a little day pack which is firmly attached to your body, ideally in the front in crowded places. Constantly wear a money belt or leave your belongings, including your passport, in the security box.
In the towns and rural areas, the food differs little to that found in Botswana. Standard food includes porridge and a soup made from cornmeal, millet or cassava, supplemented by fish or meat. This together with stew, veggies and milk products comprise the staple diet. Nevertheless when you leave the backwoods the resemblance stops. In the larger cities and towns such as Windhoek and especially Swakopmund, there is a certain Germanic flavour to the menu. German style bakeries, dining establishments and bars prevail and meals such as Eisbien (roasted pork shank) with dumplings and sauerkraut will be sure to fill the emptiest of stomachs.
When on the coast seafood is the main point on the menu and is very good. The fresh oysters and mussels when in season are tasty and a wide choice of fresh fish is offered all year round. A number of locally discovered line fish are Kabeljou and Steenbras both of which are worth keeping an eye out for. Video game meat makes a routine look on the menus in large towns and cities with ostrich in addition to Kudu and Eland all being great.
You ought to be wary of drinking the regional faucet water. Bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely offered and are normally safe to consume. Please note nevertheless that fruit juices are sometimes made with un-boiled tap water and could distress your stomach.
There are different brand names of beers discovered just in Namibia consisting of Windhoek, Tafel and Holsten. Beware imported spirit prices as they are extremely expensive so always request for the local comparable spirit if you wish to stay within your budget!
Time Difference.
The time difference in Namibia is GMT/UTC + 2.
Voltage.
240 volts. Sockets are three pin
Economy of Namibia:
The economy of Namibia is largely based on the production of mineral resources and agricultural exports.
The Namibian economy is largely driven by the mining sector, which accounts for around 27% of the country’s GDP. The country is rich in minerals such as copper, diamonds, uranium, gold and silver. These minerals are exported to countries such as South Africa, China and India, making mining a major source of revenue for the Namibian economy.
Agriculture is another major contributor to Namibia’s economy. Agricultural exports such as beef, fish and seafood, maize, millet, sorghum, and tobacco make up nearly 20% of the country’s GDP. Cattle farming is the most important agricultural activity in Namibia, with the industry providing employment for over half of the country’s population.
The tourism sector is also an important contributor to the Namibian economy. Namibia is known for its beautiful landscapes, wildlife, and national parks, which attract thousands of tourists each year. Tourism is a major source of income for the country, with tourism-related activities accounting for around 4.6% of the country’s GDP.
Namibia’s economy has grown steadily in recent years, with the country’s GDP increasing by an average of 5.2% between 2010 and 2020. This growth is largely due to increased investment in the mining and tourism sectors, as well as increased agricultural production.
Despite this growth, Namibia still faces significant economic challenges. Poverty and inequality remain significant problems in the country, with a large portion of the population living below the poverty line. In addition, Namibia’s economy is heavily dependent on the export of mineral resources, leaving it vulnerable to fluctuations in global commodity prices.
In recent years, the Namibian government has taken steps to diversify its economy and reduce poverty. These measures include increased investment in infrastructure, education and healthcare, as well as the development of new industries such as renewable energy. With these initiatives in place, the Namibian economy is well-positioned for continued growth in the years ahead. |
