Namibia is one of the most beautiful names in the world. It's mysterious, lyrical and evocative, and perfectly describes this southern African country. The paradox of this name is that it's actually derived from the desert that makes up much of the country's geography. Although deserts have an exotic beauty and appeal, their climatic extremes and almost inhospitable environment are a cruel reality. Even if most of Namibia is desert, it has a few great African safari destinations and features great wildlife.
The capital city is Windhoek, a very well developed and modern city. Many capital cities in Africa are pretty dirty and badly maintained, with roads full of holes, but it's not the case when we talk about Windhoek!
At the end of the 19 century Germany colonized Namibia giving it the name of South-west Africa. In the south of the country, close to the border with South Africa, the strategic port Walvis Bay was under British control. At the end of the First World War South Africa administered the country legally until the Second World War, when it unilaterally annexed the territory - without international recognition. The name Windhoek means "windy corner" and certainly it deserves its name! The architecture is impressive - there are a few very modern buildings, many occupied by South African companies and banks. The German influence has been maintained and a number of buildings and churches reflect the German colonization. There are three castles around Windhoek, the most famous of which is called Alte Feste, or "Old Fortress".
The coastal town Swakopmund is the second largest city in Namibia. From here you can travel through the Namib Desert. It's considered the oldest desert in the world with an estimated age of 80 million years. The annual rainfall average is 10 mm (0,25 inches), so there's virtually no vegetation! The sands are endless - a vast golden expanse stretching in all directions towards the horizon. Here the contrast between the golden sand and the azure sky is magnificent. The tourist are the only sign of life and a road could be the only indications of man's existence. The overwhelming power of nature is incredible and you'll feel you here incredibly small and insignificant...
The world's largest sand dune is located in the Namib Desert. It's known as Dune Number Seven and it's almost 390 meters height (1,256 feet). Be advised that walking through sand is incredibly tiring! Dune Number Seven is part of a range of sand dunes located into a region called Sossusvlei. Around these dunes is a very poor vegetation, still a couple of local settlements have sprung up in the area. Travelers are able to visit the dunes with tour parties, but don't expect to find there great hotels and other vacation conveniences.
Swakopmund appears from desert like a mirage and has a so classically charm that it seems to be a piece of Europe transferred to Africa! The German influence is very evident here and it's not only limited to the architecture. German is widely spoken in Swakopmund and the restaurants are full of delicious Bavarian cuisine and beer! The people who live here are a wonderful & eclectic mix of fishermen, safari operators, miners, African peoples and descendent's of the early German settlers. If you enjoy a safari in Namibia this town should be one of your favorite travel destinations.
Swakopmund boasts several huge salt dunes and even some of the roads along the seafront are made from salt. The town at sunrise and sunset is magnificent because the setting sun turns the sand dunes into a deep red shade and the light seems to glow from the reflection of the sand. Because of the icy Atlantic Ocean a mist rolls over the town each morning and evening, giving it a ghostly and ethereal appearance.
Along the beach you can enjoy shark fishing, but the beach is very inhospitable because there are more stones and rocks than sand and the wind blowing in from Atlantic is usually icy cold. This part of Namibia is called the Skeleton Coast and the name has nothing to do with the description of the beaches. It dates back several hundred years ago when Portuguese seafarers and spice traders from Dutch East India Company sailed around Cape to India. Many ships came to grief along the treacherous shores of the Skeleton Coast, victims of the harsh Atlantic Ocean, submerged rocky coastline, regular fogs and mists. Several shipwrecks have been found inland, deposited there by the relentless Atlantic waves and the gale-force winds!
Hardap Dam is located in the semi-desert region of Namibia. The bird life around the dam is plentiful and varied. The climate is typical for any desert region - daytime temperatures reached 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) and plummeting close to zero at night. Although the region is a semi-desert there's a variety of wild animals, including ostriches, zebras, warthog, kudu, and springbok. There's also a small population of black rhinoceros.
Namibia has been called "The Land God Made In Anger", a reference to its unique and often brutal geography. However, the wonderful and friendly attitude of the people is opposite to the landscape. It's nice to see how a country once ravaged by a long civil war can be held up as a good example of African democracy.
Nowadays Namibia is a great destination for an African hunting safari and the memories get here will be certainly unforgettable!
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