NAMIBIA

Namibia is located in southwest Africa. It is a large and mainly arid country sharing borders with Angola to the north, Botswana to the east, South Africa to the south and, in the Caprivi Strip, a narrow panhandle of Namibian territory jutting from the northeast corner of the country, with Zambia and Zimbabwe.

To the west is 1280km (795 miles) of some of the most desolate and lonely coastline in the world. The port of Walvis Bay, situated roughly halfway down Namibia’s coast, was returned by South Africa to Namibian jurisdiction in February 1994.

Along its entire length, the vast shifting sand dunes of the Namib Desert spread inland for 80 to 130km (50 to 80 miles). In the interior, the escarpment of a north–south plateau slopes away to the east and north into the vast interior sand basin of the Kalahari. In the far northwest, the 66,000 sq km (25,500 sq miles) of the Kaokoland mountains run along the coast, while further inland lies the Etosha Pan (a dried-out saline lake), surrounded by grasslands and bush which support a large and varied wildlife. The Etosha National Park & Game Reserve is one of the finest in Africa, in that it remains, to a large extent, free of human influence.

CLIMATE IN NAMIBIA

Namibia's climate is the driest in Africa, with sunny, warm days and cooler nights, especially during the winter months. The average temperature along the coast is the summer is 23°C (73°F); in winter, the average temperature is 13°C (55°F). The fertile northern strip is always warmer, having a climate similar to that of southern Angola.Much of Namibia is a land of perennial drought. The annual rainfall, which is concentrated in the November–March period, generally averages more than 70 cm (28 in) in the far north, 2.5– 15 cm (1–6 in) in the south, and 35 cm (14 in) in the central plateau. But the rains often fail: some regions have gone nearly a century without a drop of rain.

VISA INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS

All visitors require a passport valid for at least six months after the period of their intended stay, and documents for return or onward travel. Passports should have at least two unused pages for endorsements by the Namibian Immigration Service.

Americans: United States citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for tourism or business purposes for a stay of up to three months.

UK nationals: British citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for tourism or business purposes for a stay of up to three months.

Canadians: Canadians must

have a valid passport. A visa is not required for tourism or business purposes for a stay of up to three months.

Australians: Australians must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for tourism or business purposes for a stay of up to three months.

South Africans: South Africans must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for tourism or business purposes for a stay of up to three months.

Irish nationals: Irish nationals must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for tourism or business purposes for a stay of up to three months.

New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for tourism or business purposes for a stay of up to three months.

TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO IN NAMIBIA
Sossusvlei
City/Region: The Namib Desert
One of Namibia's highlights is the clay pans of Sossusvlei, in the Namib Desert, enclosed by magnificent ochre sand dunes. The Sossusvlei dunes are among the highest in the world, reaching more than 960ft (300m), and are a wondrous sight of endless rolling shapes and sharp wind-sculpted crests. Although they have been developed over a period of millions of years, their forms are constantly changing, rising and falling at the mercy of the wind. A climb to the top of one of these 'hills' is well worth the effort, especially at sunrise or sunset, when the view of shifting sand, stretching as far as the eye can see, is an ethereal landscape of shapes and colors. The most impressive pan is Dead Vlei, a vast hollow depression of dry cracked mud scattered with ancient camel-thorn trees. The colors and contrasts here are a photographer's delight. The pans (vleis) are only ever filled with water after heavy rainfall, which happens only every couple of years, but the solid clay layers hold the water for a long time, providing a habitat for countless water birds and a drinking hole for animals. The beautiful black and white Oryx (a large, spiral-horned antelope) is occasionally spotted in the meagre shade of the thorn trees, lizards leave their tiny trails on the pristine mounds of sand, and the black 'tok tokkie' beetle is commonly seen stumbling over the sun-baked jigsaw puzzle pieces of the red clay surface. The area is also home to ostriches and springbok.

Twyfelfontein
City/Region: Windhoek
Translated as 'Doubtful Fountain', Twyfelfontein was so named by a farmer who doubted the ability of the spring to sustain his cattle for a long time. The spring is still there, but Twyfelfontein is famous for its prehistoric rock paintings and engravings rather than its water supply. It boasts the largest concentration of ancient rock art in the country (about 2,500 designs), and has been declared a national monument. The petroglyphs primarily depict game animals such as giraffe, antelope, elephant and lion, and are believed to be around 3,000 years old. Visitors are no longer allowed to enter the site without a guide, due to previous vandalism. The uniquely designed Visitor Information Center features an exhibition, kiosk and souvenir shop.

Swakopmund
City/Region: The Namib Desert
Swakopmund is an enchanting little seaside town in the middle of the Namib Desert. Often described as 'a slice of Germany on the edge of the desert', it has many fine German colonial buildings and a distinctly German character. Along with the region's food specialties of rock lobster, fish and Swakopmund oysters, traditional German fare, including sausages and pastries, can be enjoyed, and among the residents German is widely spoken. The stretch of coast is particularly known for its angling, and the surrounding dunes of the desert provide many opportunities for sand boarding, quad biking and paragliding.

Christuskirche
City/Region: Windhoek
The church is a prominent landmark in Windhoek's historic center that was built in 1910 to accommodate the Lutheran congregation in the city. Today the sandstone church is a national monument topped by its 79ft (24m) spire.

The Spitzkoppe
City/Region: Windhoek
The natural beauty of the Spitzkoppe, or Spitzkop, is spectacular; an island of bald granite peaks situated in an endless grassy plain that is visible for miles around. Groot Spitzkop is often referred to as the 'Matterhorn of Africa' because of its similarity in shape, and it is one of Namibia's most famous mountains. Nearby are the Little Spitzkoppe and the Pontok Mountains. The area is a paradise for climbers, although only those with a lot of experience and the correct equipment should attempt the Spitzkoppe itself. The enormous granite rocks were formed hundreds of millions of years ago due to volcanic activity and subsequent erosion has resulted in fascinating rock formations and memorable outlines, which should not go unexplored. The area is also renowned for its breathtaking sunrises that turn the rocks from pale orange to flaming gold.

Brandberg
City/Region: Windhoek
The Brandberg massif is famous for its thousands of rock paintings and engravings, most notably the 'White Lady', which is estimated to be about 2,000 years old. Guides accompany visitors on an hour walk to the Tsisab Ravine where the famous painting is located on an overhang under a shelter, surrounded by a variety of painted animal forms. Although faded over the years, the trip to see it is well worth the effort. Contrary to early belief, the painting is not actually of a white lady, but is the image of a male, the white color of the body representing body paint, which suggests it is a medicine man. Since it was discovered in 1955, there has been a great deal of controversy over the meaning and origin of the painting. Brandberg's highest peak is Königstein, and at 8,550ft (2,606m) it is the highest mountain in Namibia, which can be reached on an organized three-day hike.

Alte Feste
City/Region: Windhoek
Situated on a high point overlooking the CBD, the Schutztruppe Fort served as the military headquarters in 1915 and today houses the state museum. It is one of the oldest buildings in Windhoek and is a national monument. The museum's exhibition informs visitors of Namibia's history from its san (bushmen) origins to German occupation in 1884 and the struggle for independence.