Safari Packages to Namibia
Namibia is considered one of the most beautiful names in the world. It is mysterious and lyric - a perfect description of this southern African country. The paradox of this name is the fact that it's actually derived from the desert that makes up a large part of the state. Although deserts have an exotic beauty, their climatic extremes and inhospitable environment are a cruel reality. However, even if most of Namibia is desert to this African country are offered plenty of packages including cost-effective safari deals and wildlife park tours.
At the end of the 19th century Germany colonized Namibia, calling it Southwest Africa. In the southern part of the country, close to the border with South Africa, the strategic port of Walvis Bay remained under British control. At the end of the First World War, as effect of defeating Germany, South Africa administered the country legally until the Second World War, when the apartheid government unilaterally annexed the territory, yet without international recognition. Namibia gained fully independence only in 1990.
The capital city is Windhoek (which means "windy corner"), a very well developed and modern city. Many capital cities in Africa are pretty dirty and not very well maintained, with dusty roads full of holes, but in Windhoek the things are very different! The architecture of the capital city is impressive - there are a few very modern buildings, many occupied by South African companies and banks. The German influence is still strong and a number of older edifices and churches reflect the German style. Windhoek is also one of the main vacation spots of the country and therefore many vacation packages and tours in Namibia start from there. Due to the charming architecture, some tourists decide to spend there more days and even longer vacations in order to enjoy more attractions and get into a closer touch with local people.
Safari Tours in Namib Desert & Skeleton Coast
The coastal town of Swakopmund is the second largest city in Namibia. Most tours and safari packages to Namibia include this city in its itineraries because holiday makers have the opportunity to take trips from there to the Namib Desert. This is considered the oldest desert in the world, with an estimated age of 80 million years! The annual rainfall average is 10 millimeters (0,25 inches) and as result there's virtually no vegetation! The sands seem to be endless - a vast golden "ocean" stretching in all directions beyond the horizon... However, the contrast between the golden sand and the azure sky is magnificent! The overwhelming power of nature is incredible and most vacationers feel how small and insignificant can be the human life!
The world's largest sand dune is located in the Namib Desert, being known as Dune Number Seven and having a height of almost 390 meters (1,256 feet). Dune Number Seven is part of a range of sand dunes located into a region called Sossusvlei. On these dunes is a very poor vegetation and everything looks very arid, still a couple settlements were developed in the area. Vacationers can visit the dunes by taking local tours, still they are warned about the fact that there aren't high class hotels with too many facilities.
Swakopmund appears from desert like a mirage and has a "classic" charm, making some people thinking it is a town from Europe transferred in Africa! The German influence is very evident and isn't limited only to architecture. The German language is widely spoken everywhere and the restaurants are full of delicious Bavarian dishes and beer! People who live there are a mix of fishermen, safari operators and miners, many of them being descendants of the German settlers or belonging to African peoples.
On the beaches from nearby vacationers can enjoy shark fishing, but the shore is very inhospitable because there are more stones and rocks than sand. Also, the wind blows hard from the Atlantic Ocean and usually is icy cold! This part of Namibia is also called The Skeleton Coast and this nickname is several hundred years old, from the age when Portuguese seafarer and spice traders belonging to the "Dutch East India Company" sailed around the Cape to India. Many ships were destroyed along of the Skeleton Coast - victims of the huge waves of Atlantic Ocean, submerged rocks and foggy weather. Several shipwrecks have been found even a few hundreds meters inland, dropped there by the strong waves and winds!
Wildlife Species in Desert
Hardap Dam is also located in the desert region of Namibia. Despite to this fact, the bird life around the dam is very varied. The climate is typical for an arid region - daytime temperatures reach 45 Celsius degrees (113 Fahrenheit degrees), while in the night is freezing! Although in the region is only desert, there's a wide variety of wildlife including ostriches, zebras, warthog, kudu, and springbok. There can be seen sometimes also a small population of black rhinoceros!
Namibia was nicknamed "The Land God Made In Anger", a reference to its unique and rugged land. However, the friendliness of the local people is opposite to the landscape! Nowadays Namibia is a popular destination on the international travel scene because it offers really great African safari packages & wildlife park tours.
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