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Namibia
is a land of vast distances with ever-changing scenery, wide-open spaces, sand
dunes, deep canyons and breathtaking beauty. Namibia's
main attractions, by region, are listed below.
Southern Region
The Fish River Canyon is the largest Canyon in Africa.
The canyon is approximately 161 km long, and cuts deeply into the surrounding
area to the river bed about 550 m below. A scenic road runs from the Main look-out
point along the Fish River
Canyon to Ai-Ais. The five day hiking trail can only
be undertaken from 15 April - 15 September and hikers require a medical certificate
declaring that they have a reasonable level of fitness. Ai-Ais is a hot-water
spring oasis in the desolation of the Lower
Fish River. It has a modern
rest camp with flats, sites for caravans and camping, a restaurant, shop, filling
station, swimming-pool, mineral baths and tennis-courts. Keetmanshoop is situated
on the main B1 road to Windhoek. The town still retains vestiges of its original German buildings.
The “Kokerboom” Wood is a thick copse of quiver trees 14 km to the north of
Keetmanshoop on the road to Koës. It is a private nature reserve on the farm
Gariganus and is open to the public. Bethanie is one of the oldest settlements
in Namibia. The Scmelenhaus, built in 1814, is the
oldest building in the country and a historical monument. Lüderitz,
centre of the rock lobster industry, lies in a bay on the rocky south coast.
Places of interest include the harbour, the Lüderitz Memorial Needle on Shark
Island, the Eberlanz Museum and Goerke Haus. Excursions
may be made to Agate Beach, Diaz Point, the lighthouse and Sturmvogelbucht. Kolmanskop,
situated 10 km south east of Luderitz, is known as `The Ghost Town'. At one
time it was a village built for the staff of a nearby diamond mine. Today guided
tours give insight into the grandeur of days gone by. Duwisib
Castle stands on a hill 72 km southwest of Maltahöhe
overlooking the barren surrounding landscape. It was built in 1908 by a German,
Baron von Wolff, and contains a unique collection of furniture, portraits and
weapons from the 17th and 18th century. The Hardap Recreation Resort, 24 km
from Mariental, has rest houses, camping and caravan sites, a restaurant, shop
and swimming-pool. The dam, which is 32 km long, is surrounded by a nature
reserve with plenty of game and many species of aquatic birds.
Central Region
Windhoek,
the capital, lies in the central highland between the Auas and Eros Mountains and
the picturesque Khomas-Hochland stretching west to the Desert. Places of interest
include: The Alte Feste, built in 1890-1892 by the founder of Windhoek, Major Curt von Francois, accommodates the historical exhibitions
of the State Museum.
The "Christuskirche" of the German-Lutheran community, consecrated
in 1910. Curt von Francois Statue in front of the modern municipal building
in honour of the founder of the city. The castles Schwerinburg, Heinitzburg
and Sanderburg, built in 1913, 1914 and 1917. The Art Gallery, where there are always exhibitions,
with the arts theatre in the same complex. The Equestrian Statue in honour
of the German soldiers who fell in the Herero and Nama wars of 1904 - 1908;
by the Berlin sculptor Kürle and unveiled
in 1912.
The Daan Viljoen Game Park,
situated 24 km west of Windhoek in the Khomas-Hochland, is sanctuary to a relatively large
population of game species typical of Namibia's highlands, and offers
rest houses, camping and caravan sites, a restaurant and a swimming-pool. Okahandja,
72 km to the north of Windhoek, has
a high interest potential. For the Herero it is an important cultural-historical
link with the past and for the wood cavers from the north, it offers the opportunity
to practice their ancient skills at the Mbangura Woodcarvers Market. The Gross-Barmen
Hot Springs, where the first mission station for the Herero was erected in 1844,
are 27 km from Okahandja. There is a
rest camp, several artesian springs and a large dam with aquatic birds. The
Von Bach Recreation Resort on the Sartorius von Bach Dam south of Okahandja
has day camping facilities for picnic-makers and offers great opportunities
for water sport enthusiasts. Karibib is situated on the main road between Windhoek and Swakopmund.
The surrounding area is the largest producer of marble and granite in Namibia. It is also known for quartz and semi-precious
stones. The volcanic Spitzkoppe which rises 48 km northwest of Usakos to a
height of 1 829 metres is known for its rock paintings and stone implements.
There is a community-based campsite. Philipp's Cave, on the farm Ameib, 32
km north of Usakos, contains several rock paintings, of which the White Elephant
is the best known. Stones and rocks stacked in interesting formation are known
as the Bulls' Party.
Namib Region
Sossusvlei is a large clay pan in the desert, surrounded by
the highest known dunes in the world (up to 427 m). From time to time the Tsauchab River flows into the vlei, which
retains the water for a long time. The vlei can be reached only in a four-wheel-drive
vehicle. At Sesriem in the southern Namib Desert, the Tsauchab
River suddenly disappears into a narrow ravine. The
Gamsberg (2 334 m) towers above the edge of the Khomas-Hochland, which falls
away steeply to the west. The picturesque Gamsberg Pass leads to the Namib
Desert Park. The Namib Desert Park embraces all aspects
of the desert - sand dunes, granite mountains, plains of grass, gypsum and quartz,
the Kuiseb Canyon, the lagoon at Sandwich Harbour, camelthorn and ana trees,
the largest known concentration of Welwitschias and game. No permit is necessary
for driving through the Park. To spend the night or leave the main road, a
permit should be obtained in Windhoek or Swakopmund
or at Sesriem.
Skeleton Coast Safaris Phone: +264 61 22 4248 Fax: +264 61
22 5713 E-mail: sksafari@mweb.com.na Website: www.orusovo.com/sksafari
Operated by the Schoeman family since 1977, Skeleton Coast Safaris specialises
in fly-in safaris to the remote wilderness areas of Namibia. The flights provide
an incredible view of the endless stretched of dunes, the shipwrecks along the
lonely and harsh coastline, the diverse and ever-changing geological formations
and the refuges of the desert-dwelling animals, such as the endangered black
rhino and desert elephant. Excursions by Land-Rover include the roaring dunes,
the Ugab rock formations, ancient San rock engravings, the desert fauna and
flora, a visit to a settlement of the nomadic Himba people, and the panoramic
vistas of the Hartmann valley. Accommodation is provided in three fully equipped,
comfortable tented camps. Safaris can include excursions to Sossusvlei, Etosha
and Luderitz.
Desert Express - Namibia's
Unique Rail Experience Phone: +264 61 298 2600 Fax: +264 61 298 2601 E-mail:
dx@transnamib.com.na Website: www.desertexpress.com.na
The Desert Express train winds its way through the Namib Desert
from Windhoek to
Swakopmund and back again. Designed
and built using the most modern technology available, the train is furnished
in the unique colours and textures of Africa. All
24 fully air-conditioned, en-suite sleeper apartments convert to private lounges
during the day and can accommodate up to three passengers. En-route passengers
can enjoy meals in the Welwitschia Restaurant, which specialises in indigenous
Namibian dishes. Passengers can relax in the fully air-conditioned Spitzkoppe
Lounge and enjoy a full bar service, while absorbing the beauty of the passing
savannah, bushveld and desert landscapes. During the winter months, in
addition to the Swakopmund return journey,
Desert Express offers four-day trips to northern Namibia
(Etosha National Park/Mokuti Lodge) and southern Namibia
(Luderitz/Nest Hotel).
The number of seals at Cape Cross, where the navigator Diego
Cao planted his cross in 1486, is estimated at between 150 000 and 200 000.
The seal colony may be visited daily between 10h00 and 17h00. Swakopmund,
with its continental atmosphere, is the main coastal resort. In the German
colonial period it was the territory's only port. There are numerous angling
spots near by and there is an indoor swimming-pool of Olympic standard with
heated water and a sliding roof. The museum portrays the town's history and
the animal and plant life of the desert. Walvis Bay, where
ships from numerous countries call at the harbour, was originally built in 1926
and subsequently enlarged and modernised. There are a number of pilchard and
white fish factories. These may be visited subject to the manager's permission.
Many bird species can be found in the municipal bird sanctuary. Quad biking
and dolphin cruises are popular activities. Sandwich Harbour, 56 km south of Walvis
Bay, is one of the most popular angling resorts. It can be reached only
in 4x4 vehicles. Permits are obtainable from the two official Namib Tourist
offices in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund..
There are no facilities and no angling between 25 January and 15 April. Torra
Bay in the Skeleton Coast Park,
a popular camping and fishing resort in summer, is open from 1st December to
31st January each year. Terrace Bay,
a holiday resort, in the Skeleton Park, is open throughout the year. The Welwitschia mirabilis occurs
from Walvis Bay northwards in the
desert and semi-desert. It can be seen 35 km east from Swakopmund
on the "Welwitschia Drive"
which falls with in the Namib
Naukluft Park. Permits are
required. It is a primitive plant, which has adapted itself to the arid desert
climate. The age of the oldest among the Welwitschia plants is estimated at
2 000 years.
Northern Region
At Omaruru is the historical Franke Tower where Major Franke defeated a
numerically superior Herero force in 1904. The town hosts Namibia's only wine cellar. The Waterberg Plateau Park
was proclaimed for the translocation of scarce game species like roan and sable
antelope and Cape buffalo. The plateau is a remnant of the original upper crust
after the erosion of the surrounding landscape through the ages. There are
striking mountain scenes, the only breeding colony of Cape
vultures, as well as unique plants, which are found nowhere else in the country.
The park offer luxury chalets and a well-equipped camping area. Otjiwarongo
is on the road north to the Etosha Pan. The Waterberg mountain range and Plateau Park are easily reached from this point. Outjo is situated on the
road from Otjiwarongo to Okaukuejo,
one of the rest camps in the Etosha
National Park. It is also the gateway to the Kaokoveld
and the Skeleton Coast. The Rock Finger on the farm Bertram, 96 km to the west of Outjo,
is very impressive. There are also interesting surrounding rock formations
in the Ugab Valley.
The Brandberg, 24 km from the mining village
of Uis, is, with its Königstein Peak (2 597 km), the highest mountain
in the country. The mountain became famous after the discovery of the White
Lady and other rock-paintings in the Tsisab Gorge in 1917. The Burnt Mountain is a hill with brightly coloured
rocks. Against a mountain slope at Twyfelfontein are approximately 3 000 rock
paintings and engravings of giraffe, rhino, springbok, gemsbok, ostriches, cattle
and animal tracks. The Petrified Forest consists of a
number of tree-trunk fragments scattered over the open veld. The age of the
fossil trunks is estimated at approximately 200 million years. Kamanjab, situated
in a farming area, is well positioned as a stopover for visitors to Kaokoland
or Damaraland. A large farming area surrounds Grootfontein, situated 87 km
northeast of Otavi and 60 km from Tsumeb.
The Hoba Meteorite, 19 km from Grootfontein, the biggest in the world, weighs
54 000 kg and consists of 82% iron and 16% nickel.
Tsumeb, the largest mining town in the country, is situated
in the sub-tropical northern area. The Tsumeb Cultural Village
allows tourists an insight into the rural life of Namibian tribes. It showcases
their history and culture, and their work and skills in arts and crafts. The
Khorab Memorial, 3 km from Otavi on the old Tsumeb
road dates from the First World War. It was here that the Germans surrendered
to the South African forces in 1915. Lake
Otjikoto, a natural monument 24 km from Tsumeb alongside
the road to Namutoni, was formed when the roof of a gigantic cave in the dolomite
collapsed. Towards the end of the South West African campaign (1915), German
troops threw cannons and ammunition into this deep lake. The lake contains
2 species of mouth breeding fish. The Etosha National Park in the game-rich northwestern
corner of Namibia is 380 km at it's longest and 90 km at
it's widest. It is a paradise, especially for the photographer, as it contains
a wide variety of game in open country. There are rest camps at Okaukuejo,
Halali and Namutoni, previously an old German fort. Open throughout the year.
The Ruacana Falls (85 m high)
in the Kunene River are not
only spectacular, but also a source of hydroelectric power.
For more detailed information on Namibia, please contact Namibia Tourism Board:
Windhoek Phone: +264 61 2906000 E-mail: info@namibiatourism.com.na
Johannesburg Phone: +27 11 327 1006/9 E-mail: namtour@netdial.co.za
Cape Town Phone: +27 21 422 3298 E-mail: namibia@saol.com
London Phone: +44 207 636 2924 E-mail: info@namibiatourism.co.uk
Frankfurt Phone: +49 69 133 7360 E-mail: info@namibia-tourism.com
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