Wildlife Holidays in Namibia
Tell me about Namibia …
Situated along Africa's most inhospitable coastline, Namibia is a wild and spectacular country of desert landscapes and deep blue skies. It is a vast country: three times the size of its one-time colonist, Germany, yet with a population of less than two million!
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, while to the west is the beautiful Namib Desert which stretches along the full length of the country's coastline.
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.
What’s special about its landscapes?
Namibia has some truly breathtaking scenery. Its landscapes are varied and full of contrasts, from towering brick red sand dunes (the tallest on Earth) & vast stretches of bushland to deep canyons, shimmering plains, high mountains & plateaux.
Along the Skeleton Coast the cold Benguela Current sweeps northward, transporting plankton-rich Antarctic waters into warm subtropical regions. This current has created the Namib Desert –the Benguela's low temperature prevents evaporation and assures an incredibly low rainfall in the region.
What’s special about its wildlife?
The Benguela Current limits the land-based flora and fauna, but its nutrient-packed waters are a haven for fish, seals and seabirds.
Namibia’s 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.
It has a fabulous range of mammal and bird species, many of which are endemic. It’s also home to some real biological curiosities such as the Welwitschia plant, found only in the Namib desert and which can reach 2,000 years old!
Naturetrek tours to Namibia
Naturetrek offers a range of tours to Namibia, each of which is specially tailored to include the very best of the country's scenery and wildlife. Here’s a selection of what we offer:
- Dunes of the Namib Naukluft Park
- Seabirds of the Skeleton Coast
- The table-top mountains of Damaraland
- Huge herds of game in Etosha
- Cape Fur Seals, African Penguins & Heaviside’s Dolphins off Walvis Bay