Wildlife holidays in Namibia
Sossusvlei Dunes by Paul Stanbury
Situated along Africa's most inhospitable coastline, Namibia is a wild and spectacular country of desert landscapes and deep blue skies. The name Namib is a Hottentot word meaning "great plains", epitomised by the magnificent Etosha Pan, whose amazing wildlife spectacles we have all seen so many times on television. To the east of Etosha lies the great Kalahari Desert, whilst to the west is the beautiful Namib Desert which stretches along the full length of the country's coastline. Namibia is truly vast: three times the size of its colonist, Germany, yet with a population of less than two million! Not surprisingly its wildlife has suffered less at the hands of man than in most other African countries, and such endangered species as the Black Rhinoceros still retain a viable toehold.
Namibia's scenery is varied and full of contrasts. It is a land of towering brick red sand dunes - the tallest on earth - of deep canyons, shimmering plains, high mountains and plateaux, and endless bushland. Along the appropriately named Skeleton Coast - the grave of so many ships - the cold Benguela Current sweeps northward, transporting plankton-rich Antarctic waters into warm subtropical regions. It is this current that has created the Namib Desert, since the Benguela's low temperature prevents evaporation and assures an incredibly low rainfall in the region. Yet, if the Benguela limits the land-based flora and fauna, its nutrient-packed waters are a haven for fish, seals and seabirds.
Although Namibia was colonised by Germany from 1894, and presents a German flavour and architecture in its towns even today, modern Namibia still boasts the rich indigenous cultures of its tribes - the Bushmen, Himbas, Hereros, Ovambos and Damara. Thus it makes a most interesting country through which to travel, and in which to enjoy unique habitats and a fabulous range of mammal and bird species, many of which are endemic.
Naturetrek tours to Namibia
Naturetrek offer a range of tours to Namibia, each of which are specially tailored to include the very best of the country's scenery and wildlife, which include: the dunes of the Namib Naukluft Park, the seabirds of the Skeleton Coast, the table-top mountains of Damaraland and the huge herds of game in Etosha.
Namibia, Botswana & Zambia - Etosha to the Victoria Falls
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A 17-day birdwatching and mammal-viewing safari through Namibia, Botswana and Zambia.
Namibia's Endemics
Namibia's Etosha Pan & Skeleton Coast
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A 17-day wildlife safari visiting the Etosha Pan, the Namib Desert, the Waterberg Mountains, Damaraland and the Skeleton Coast.
