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WHY BOOK A TRIP TO NAMIBIA
Namibia, occupying a huge chunk of southwestern Africa, is larger in size than Spain and Italy combined and yet has a population smaller than Panama, Puerto Rico and Wales.
Many of its desert landscapes and arid expanses have such a deep sense of desolation and isolation that there’s no wonder George Miller came here to film Mad Max: Fury Road (2016). The country is cinematic in every sense, from the spectacular coastal Namib Sand Sea to the eerily named Skeleton Coast and the otherworldly dead camel thorn trees of Dead Vlei.
It is not a land that makes living easy, which is what makes the inhabitants here all the more fascinating, be it in the human communities of capital Windhoek and the port town of Walvis Bay, or the animals striving for survival in Etosha National Park. Desert-adapted elephants roam Kaokoland, the Round-eared elephant shrew lives on an entirely water-free diet, and unique-looking lions use a thicker coat to survive the coldness of night.
So, harshness is beauty on an otherworldly scale in Namibia, one of the few countries on Earth that remains wild at heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What’s the best time of year to visit Namibia?
Such is the harshness of conditions in Namibia, you’re best off visiting between May and October, which is the country’s winter and dry season. Temperatures are a little milder, conditions are perfect for successful safari experiences, and the night skies are so clear that stargazing becomes a main attraction.
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What’s the climate like in Namibia?
Namibia has a subtropical desert climate, with a whopping 92% of the country considered to be arid, and droughts can last several years. This means temperatures are extremely hot in the day – with highs over 40C (104F) – and drop drastically at night – often below 10C (50F). As a southern hemisphere nation, summer and winter here is the opposite to Europe and the US.
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What’s the currency in Namibia?
Namibian Dollar
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What language is spoken in Namibia?
The official language of Namibia is English, which has been the case since the country secured independence and cast aside Afrikaans and German as relics of colonialism. English is widely spoken but rarely considered a first language, with most people speaking one of many indigenous tongues. Around 50% of people speak Oshiwambo dialects, while other languages include dialects from Khoekhoegowab, RuKwangali, Otjiherero, Afrikaans and Silozi.
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What is the time difference in Namibia?
The time zone in Namibia is Central Africa Time (UTC+2), which is 2 hours ahead of London, 7 ahead of New York and 10 hours ahead of Los Angeles.
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Major Airport in Namibia:
- Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH), Windhoek
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What are the best places to visit in Namibia?
- Skeleton Coast – shipwrecks line the coast and hardy desert animals roam the lands in this desolate landscape
- Kolmanskop – an eerie abandoned diamond mining town, quite literally lost to the sands of time
- Etosha National Park – part of the Kalahari Basin, rich in wildlife, including the so-called Big Five
- Namib Sand Sea – the world’s oldest desert, straddling the western coast of Africa, best explored by 4×4
- Fish River Canyon – a jaw-dropping rocky expanse, the largest canyon in Africa
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What are the top five local dishes to try?
- Namibian beef – people here have herded cattle for centuries, so beef grilled at a braai (barbecue) is an absolute staple
- Potjiekos – a slow cooked meat or fish stew with vegetables and spices, cooked in a traditional cast iron pot over an open fire
- Lüderitz oysters – a specialty from the southern town of Luderitz, these oysters are exported around the globe
- Kapana – beef cut into chunks using a machete and thrown on a streetside grill, most famously in Katutura, Windhoek
- Mopane Worms – for the intrepid eaters out there, these caterpillars are sourced from mopane trees and dried into a popular crispy snack