Namibia’s name was derived from Namib desert, which is believed to be the oldest desert in the entire world. This special geological characteristic is renowned for the pristine and haunting high-quality of its landscape. It is really this element that characterizes the nation most, and is household to some of the country’s top tourist destinations, notably Sossusvlei, Sandwich Harbour and the Skeleton Coastline Park.
Much from remaining lifeless and barren, the desert characteristics an unconventional variety of desert-adapted flora and fauna, such as a large amount of endemic plant, bird, reptile and insect species. Lots of of these species are of individual scientific curiosity and entice researchers from all above the planet.
Money: Windhoek
Weather: Namibia has a dry climate typical of a semi-desert place exactly where droughts are a frequent occurrence. Times are typically warm to incredibly very hot, while evenings are typically great. Common day temperatures in the summer months change from 20°C – 34°C and ordinary night temperatures in the wintertime change from 0°C – 10°C. There are large variations between the arid southern desert and semi-desert regions and the tropical north-east with its ample summer months rains. The greatest time to check out Namibia is Apr-Oct.
Forex: 1 Namibia Greenback = 100 cents. Rands are approved as legal tender. Traveller’s cheques are recognized virtually almost everywhere. German Marks, USD or Swiss Franc traveller’s cheques are proposed. In typical, credit score playing cards are recognized by most hotels as very well as in Namibia Wildlife Resorts exactly where MasterCard, Visa, (Diners Club and Amex not always), Namibian Bucks, Rand traveller’s cheques and bank confirmed cheques are acknowledged. Credit rating playing cards are not approved for fuel.
Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are 3-pin round.
Health: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is essential from travellers over 1 yr of age coming from infected regions. People are advised to get pre-arrival safeguards in opposition to malaria (threat exists Nov-Jun in the northern areas such as Ovamboland and the Caprivi Strip as well as in Omaheke and Otjozondjupa and throughout the 12 months together the Kavango and Kunene rivers), hepatitis A, polio and typhoid. Faucet drinking water is protected.
LANGUAGE: English is the formal language. In retailers, motels and places to eat, Afrikaans and German are normally spoken.
Community Holidays: New Years’ Day (1 Jan) Independance Day (21 Mar) Great Friday (9 Apr) Easter Monday (12 Apr) Labour Day (1 Could) Cassinga Day (4 May possibly) Ascension Day (20 May perhaps) Africa Day (25 May perhaps) Heroes Working day (26 Aug) Goodwill Day (7 Oct) Human Rights’ Working day (10 Dec) Xmas Day (25 Dec) Boxing Working day (26 Dec).
Searching: woodcarvings basketry pottery fur coats & jackets, primarily Swakara gold jewelry individually-intended hand-woven carpets and wall hangings created from karakul wool Namibian semi-treasured stones and diamonds Herero dolls.
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: There is a Christian greater part. Western customs and courtesies are observed. Small business fits are worn in winter season in summer time, safari satisfies are acceptable.
TIME Difference: GMT +2 (GMT +1 in the course of Apr-Aug)
TIPPING: 10 p.c of the bill is customary.
Leading 10 Points of interest DESCRIPTION:
Windhoek:
The funds a compact, bustling town with a ‘continental’ atmosphere numerous sights which include the Gibeon Meteorite Fountain, Countrywide Art Gallery of Namibia, Tintenpalast, Namibia Craft Centre and Countrywide Botanical Backyard procuring.
Fish River Canyon:
1 of Namibia’s most impressive geological phenomena contains Ai-Ais Scorching Springs, rugged mountainland, Fish River Canyon (2nd most significant gorge in Africa) and Huns Mountains with isolated and otherworldly landscape and wealth of exciting xerophytic vegetation seasoned hikers regard the 4-5 day path as 1 of southern Africa’s key difficulties.
Sossusvlei-Namib:
Naukluft Park Monumental dunes lie at the conclusion of an erosional trough formed by the Tsauchab River they are star-shaped.
Etosha National Park:
Namibia’s first conservation region and just one of the greatest activity reserves in Africa its definitive aspect is the Etosha Pan, a broad shallow despair of approx. 5000km² elephants right here are reputed to be of the premier in Africa of the 114 mammal species observed in the park, many are unusual and endangered chook life is fascinating throughout wet period.
Skeleton Coastline Park:
An aura of secret and impenetrability surrounds this park with its lots of shipwrecks, dense coastal fogs and chilly sea breezes of specific desire are the clay castles of the Hoarusib, the salt pans around Agate Mountain, the seal colony at Cape Frio and the continues to be of shipwrecks alongside the coastline.
Caprivi Strip:
Lush riverine forests and seasonal flood plains some of southern Africa’s best birding places, in particular the Caprivi Recreation Park acknowledged also for its arts and crafts e.g. pots and baskets with their distinctive attractiveness and symmetry shop at Lizauli Classic Village and variety of craft centres other pursuits incorporate angling e.g. tiger fishing and game viewing on boat cruises.
Luderitz-Kolmanskop:
Namibia’s most well-known Ghost City, positioned in the Sperrgebiet close to 10km from Lüderitz the museum recounts the historical past of this abandoned mining group.
Swakopmund:
Well-known mainly because of its old-environment allure and peaceful environment distinctive German colonial character historic properties and present day aquarium renowned for kudu leather footwear.
Cape Cross Seal Colony:
Residence to the largest and the ideal-identified of the 223 colonies of Cape fur seals which breed alongside the coastline of South Africa and Namibia throughout Nov/Dec breeding time as a lot of as 150,000 seals get in this article off the coast are protected chicken islands.
Epupa Falls:
One particular of Namibia’s prime tourist places a sequence of cascades where by the Kunene River drops 60m above a length of about 1,5km, dividing into a multitude of channels and forming a myriad rock pools it is probable to swim in these pools, but hold a lookout for crocodiles.
