posted by Travel Cat on Oct 14
Travel to the south African country of Namibia and save up to 2/3s off the cost of a similar holiday to Botswana.
Namibia has plenty to offer, and sits right next-door to Botswana and shares part of the Okavango Delta - the latter countries ‘big draw’. North of South Africa and running up the coast of the southern Atlantic Ocean, this county has plenty to offer and 4 of the ‘big 5′ plus seals, ostriches and miles and miles of sand dunes…..
I have chosen 3 of the best locations in the country, not only for wildlife but for just amazing views and miles of endless scenery.
Etosha National Park:
In the north of the country, close to the border with Angola, sits the amazing national park. 25% of it’s surface is covered with a huge clay pan, shimmering white in the sunshine. This region is regularly flooded and the shallow lake becomes a haven for thousands of flamingos and other waterbirds.
Etosha is one of the Worlds greatest known conservation areas, and with a list including lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, giraffe, jackal, hyena, warthog, rhino zebra and wildebeest, it no wonder. At 186 miles wide and just 68 miles north-south it is remarkably easy to see game here - and with 114 mammal species within it’s boundaries - you will not be disappointed on your safari.
You need an entry permit to visit (usually included with most organised tours) but you are not allowed to visit the west of the park without a guide as the animals are not so used to humans and so will be greatly affected by your presence.
The Namib-Naukluft Park:
Running up the coast in central Namibia is this large almost un-inhabited region, divided into 3 distinct zones.
1) Sandwich Harbour:
To the north of the region you will find this isolated wetland along the Atlantic coast, where thousands of waders and other seabirds spend their days on the mudflats, including terns, flamingos and pelicans.
You cannot visit this region without a permit and there are strict guidelines about when and where you can drive. Only a 4×4 will do, and it is a 2 hour walk from the ‘car park’ to the lagoon. There is no overnight camping allowed, so you had better start out early for this ornithological day trip.
2) The Namib Desert:
Famous for it’s endless reddish dunes, this region seems devoid of life. However, you will find springbok, gemsbok, mountain zebra, bat-eared foxes and ostrich all doing well here.
There are basic campsites here and you need a permit for some areas. There are gravel paths for sturdy vehicles - for the best; follow the Welwitschia Drive for the longest and most scenic tour of the region.
3) Naukluft Mountains:
This area of rugged cliffs and steep escarpments is on the edge of the Namib and has some dramatic landscapes.
Home to a small amount of large mammals including zebra and leopards, you can hike through this region using the many campsites and you will certainly need the largest memory card you can get your hands on. The scenery is just perfectly photogenic, and the different light throughout the day makes even the same place seen totally different.
Fish River Canyon:
Legendary as the largest area of canyons anywhere near here, these geological beauties will certainly leave you speechless.
This complex of steep sided gorges in a lovely rusty stone are surely Namibia’s most spectacular natural feature and are easily reached from nearby Keetmanshoop. Created over millions of years when the land rose in height causing the river to rage it’s way down to sea level - eating away at the cliffs as it tore it’s way down to the ocean.
There are many viewpoints along the way, and some very popular hiking trails and many basic campsites. The best trail is the 85km back-packing trail starting near Hobas and ending in the delightful Ai-Ais hot springs. Just what you’ll need after several hard days hiking!
What Else:
Well, of course, the country has plenty more to offer, including the Skeleton Coast filled with shipwrecks, the local Himba tribes and German colonial towns filled with great architecture and history including the capital Windhoek. Then there is Sossusvlei - where you can watch the sun rise over the flame red dunes wearing out your camera shutter and the wildlife-crammed Bwabwata National Park, just north of the great Okavango delta.
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