I have been lucky enough to have travelled and experienced many African countries and all the natural beauty that have to offer, but I have never before encountered the diversity that is offered within Namibia. I was constantly mesmerized by the stunning landscapes, endless blue skies, barren deserts, rugged mountains and the desert wildlife. The best way that I can describe Namibia is ‘a country that gets into your soul’.
Namibia contains one of the world’s oldest deserts and has some of the highest dunes in the world. From the rugged landscapes of Damaraland, to the breathtaking dunes and scenery of the Sossusvlei and the famous Etosha National Park, it is a region of contrasting landscapes. To explore the country you can choose a fly-in safari through Namibia were you can absorb the vast scale and dramatic scenery from the air; or you can hire a car and drive yourself to the various destinations of interest. The roads are in a great condition but a 4X4 is recommended to fully explore all terrain.
In the Damaraland you will find the desert adapted black rhino and elephant; the latter being very different from the African bush elephant. The guides in the region are very knowledgeable and will explain in detail how the rhino and elephants have adapted to desert life.
The dunes in Sossusvlei are some of the largest in the world. Climbing the largest dune -‘Big Daddy’ - is an amazing experience. It will take you a few hours to summit depending on your fitness level but once you reach the top and see the breathtaking scenery below, your efforts will be richly rewarded. Another great way to soak in the Namib Desert is by a hot air balloon Safari. A truly unforgettable experience that in my opinion is an absolute ‘must-do’! Departing just before sunrise you will drift slowly over the dunes for approximately an hour finishing with a champagne breakfast on landing.
A visit to Namibia is not complete without seeing the famous Etosha National Park, one of the most famous wildlife reserves in Africa. The most distinctive feature lies in the central heart of the park - the vast Etosha silvery pan. Large herds of plains’ game concentrate around the waterholes in the dry season and make for exciting game viewing and easy sightings.
There are many other areas to visit in Namibia such as the remote Skeleton Coast where you will find the beaches littered with whale bones, shipwrecks ruins, flocks of pelicans, flamingos and the Cape Cross Seals. Namibia also offers a unique cultural experience with the Himba villages located in the far North West of the country well worth a visit to get a real insight into Namibian traditions.
I only managed to scrape the surface on the array of areas and activities that can be found in this amazing country and cannot wait until I can go back again to further explore Namibia and once again experience its natural beauty.
Contact a specialist about a holiday in Namibia
Over in Namibia at the Kulala Desert Lodge a recent refurbishment has been completed. The refurbishment sees the main area being rebuilt, opening it up and nearly doubling its size. Huge floor to ceiling windows were fitted to make the most of the amazing dune views. A shaded deck area has also been added to the front which will be used for star-gazing dinners and evening drinks. Each room has been refurbished with new furniture to match the main areas bright atmosphere.
Read more about Kulala Desert Lodge here.
Hotel Heinitzberg in Namibia has unveiled the refurbishment of its 16 guest rooms.
The new décor is designed to represent the Windhoek "glory days" with each room splashed with a different colour, style and décor. They've cleaverly used old photographs of Windhoek and Namibia as a referance to the look and feel of the new changes.
Leo's at the Castle Restaurant has also had a new lease of life. Its size has been increased to accomodate more diners and a lick of red paint has added a fresh new personalitiy to the restaurant. Leo's still retains it's original feel which will be a relieve for some of its regular visitors.
Joanna Lumley embarks on a journey in September looking at cats through history. Her travels take her to AfriCat in Okanjima, where she spent a couple of days looking at its role in the conservation of big cats in Namibia. The show will be broadcast in 2 parts on ITV in the UK on the following dates:
- - Sunday, 6 September at 7pm
- - Sunday, 13 September at 7pm
- - The AfriCat story forms part 4 of programme 2 – the grand finale of the series!
AfriCat is a non-profit organisation founded in 1991 committed to long term conservation of Namibia's large carnivores, especially cheetahs and leopards. The AfriCat Foundation concentrates on four objectives in working towards its mission:
- - To create awareness and promote the tolerance of large carnivores among the farming community by assisting farmers in effective farm management techniques, including targeting problem predators as opposed to indiscriminate removal.
- - To educate youth about large carnivores and environmental awareness.
- - To research large carnivores, particularly cheetahs and leopards, on farmland and in captivity.
- - To provide humane housing, treatment and care for orphaned and injured animals.
For more information and images click AfriCat in Okanjima.