Namibia Safari Highlights

A Nambia safari - the best of both worlds
If you find yourself torn between a Southern African holiday on the beach or a desert excursion, combine the best of both worlds with a Namibia safari. With the Kalahari and Namib desert in close proximity to beautiful coastal towns like Swakopmund, your Namibia safari promises to deliver a unique experience.

Namibia, formerly South West Africa, is a country of contrasting landscapes and stark natural beauty with a diversity of people and cultures. Situated on the South West coast of Africa, its borders include Angola, Botswana and South Africa, as well as the Caprivi Strip in the far North East. The southern region has some of the most spectacular scenery and is bordered in the east by the dry savannah of the Kalahari and in the west by the unique Namib Desert. Located in the central north region is one of the largest parks in Africa - the Etosha National Park. The natural features include Sosussvlei, the planet's highest sand dunes, and majestic Fish River Canyon, Etosha National Park - one of the top game viewing spots in Africa, and the famous red Namib Desert, said to be the oldest in the world, stretches along the whole west coast of the country, while the Kalahari Desert runs along its southeastern border with Botswana.
Weather
The Namibian climate varies from arid and semi-arid to subtropical. Summers are hot and sunny from November to April with summer rains in February and March, although this varies from region to region. Winters are generally dry with mild to warm and sunny days from May to October. Frost occurs over large areas of the country during the winter months. The coastal region tends to be cool and dry throughout the year and warm clothing is required during winter.

Some History
The San or Bushmen were accepted as the first to inhabit the area. A wide variety of rock paintings and engravings dating from about 29 000 to 1 500 years ago are evidence of early human habitation. Around the14th Century, immigrating Bantu inhabitants arrived. The region was extensively explored by Europeans in the 19th century, when it came under German control as South-West Africa. The exception was that of Walvis Bay which was under British control.

South Africa occupied the colony during World War I and managed it until after World War II. In 1966 the South-West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) revolutionary group launched a war of independence in the country. In 1988 South Africa agreed to end its administration of the region and in1990 Namibia became an independent country. Walvis Bay was then ceded to Namibia in 1994.

Some facts
Namibia derived its name from the Namib Desert, said to be the world's oldest desert and the sand dunes among the highest in the world. About two million people call Namibia home.