Namibia differs vastly from other countries in Africa. It is sparsely populated with the population numbering approximately 2.5 million people with a population density of only 3 persons per km2. It is well-known for its prominent arid landscapes, huge sand dunes, unique desert-adapted wildlife as well as its long, well-conserved coastline. This country only has a few major cities/towns, and some you need to travel quite far to reach.
Here is an overview of what you may (and must) experience while on safari in Namibia:
The different regions of Namibia differ vastly from one another. However, everywhere you travel you will be surprised and delighted by the range of striking landscapes and interesting geological formations you encounter. Although wildlife is not common here, amazing scenery is! From the Fish River Canyon in the south to the Kunene Region in the North there is a lot to see, however the Sossusvlei, Damaraland and Skeleton Coast (Kaokoveld) regions are a must for any traveller.
The Namib Desert (Namib meaning “vast place”) is a coastal desert flanked by the Atlantic Ocean in the west. It is believed to be between 55 and 80 million years old and stretches for more than 2000 kilometers along the coasts of Angola, Namibia and South Africa.
This picturesque desert oasis is a traveller’s delight. The sand dunes found here are the second largest in the world; some are as high as 300 metres and 32 kilometres long. It is almost completely uninhabited by humans, except for some small settlements and indigenous pastoralists found in the North. Sossusvlei is the most well-known and visited tourist attraction in the area, and day-trips to this unique landmark is not to be missed. These can be arranged from Kulala Desert Lodge and Little Kulala.
The Namib-Naukluft National Park that extends over a large part of the Namib Desert is the largest game reserve in Africa and one of the largest of the world. While most of the park is hardly accessible, several well-known must-see visitor attractions are found in the desert.
The main visitor attraction is the famous Sesriem and Sossusvlei area, where high orange sand dunes surround vivid white salt pans, creating a fascinating landscape. This ‘vlei’ is mostly dry, but in some years rains have been recorded here. Nearby you will also find “Deadvlei”, with 550 year old dead trees. Close to Sesriem you’ll find the Sesriem Canyon. This is a narrow fissure in the sandstone, 30m deep in places, carved by the Tsauchab River. It was used by the early settlers, who drew water from it by knotting together six lengths of hide rope.
The Skeleton Coast National Park stretches from the Kunene River in the north for approximately 500km to the Ugab River in the south, and protects about one-third of Namibia’s coastline. The landscape includes sand dunes, canyons and mountain ranges all of which are synonymous with Namibia. The climatic conditions are not necessarily what you would expect in a desert country like Namibia – dense fog and cold sea breezes – and this is caused by the cold Benguela Current which flows offshore, meeting with the extreme heat of desert .The coast has scores of shipwrecks, some are barely recognizable, other are still in remarkably good condition. The wrecks provide excellent environments for Cape fur seals, living side by side with seabird colonies, offering good photographic opportunities. You can visit these colonies while staying at Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp.
The Etosha National Park is a gem of a National Park, offering a variety of flora and fauna, set in a unique arid landscape. Etosha, meaning “Great White Place”, is dominated by a massive mineral pan which covers around 25% of the National Park. The pan was originally a lake fed by the Kunene River. However the course of the river changed thousands of years ago and the lake dried up. The pan now is a large dusty depression of salt and dusty clay which fills only if the rains are heavy and even then only holds water for a short time.
This temporary water in the Etosha Pan attracts thousands of wading birds including impressive flocks of flamingos. The perennial springs along the edges of the Etosha Pan draw large concentrations of wildlife and birds. The game viewing in Etosha National Park is excellent, the best time being from May to September – the cooler months in Namibia. Visitors can expect to see many antelope species, elephant, giraffe, rhino and lions. More fortunate visitors will see leopard and cheetah.
Namibia is home to unique desert-adapted wildlife, including lions, brown hyaena, black rhino and giraffe. These animals have adapted remarkably well to the harsh desert landscape they call home.
The population of lions found here is small, but they roam far and wide across the Namib Desert. Prey is scarce and they need to travel long distances to find their next meal. Luckily, they now have mastered the technique of hunting giraffe among other large prey species. Besides sparse prey, the lion prides also need to continually contend with the likely threat of coming into conflict with humans (pastoralists). Recently, four of the internationally famous “Five Musketeers”, were killed by farmers after having killed their livestock. However, long-term research and monitoring is taking place to prevent these highly specialized felines from disappearing from this area.
The desert-adapted black rhino population is found in the Kunene and Erongo Regions in the northwest of Namibia, which comprises mostly tourism concessions and communal conservancies. During the last 30 years, the Save the Rhino Trust has worked to reduce poaching and to save these animals from the brink of extinction. As a result the rhino numbers in this area have increased five-fold. To have the chance of tracking and seeing these special animals up close, book your stay at Desert Rhino Camp.
Namibia can be split into four distinct vegetation zones which together support more than 4,000 seed bearing vascular plants, 120 different species of trees, over 200 endemic plant species and 100 varieties of lichen. Savannah covers 64% of Namibia, dry woodlands and forests 20%, while desert vegetation is distributed over 16%.
One of the most unique plants in this area, and one of the rarest on Earth is the Welwitchia plant (Welwitschia mirabilis). These endemics are considered to be dwarf trees, living for 2000 years or more. During its lifetime this evergreen plant produces only one pair of leaves which grows continually. Water required for growth is obtained from the moist soil and fog. These plants are large and messy with most blackened by the sun and torn by the wind. Large Welwitchia plants create their own micro-habitat around and beneath it, especially for bugs and bees. The leaves are fed on by black rhino, zebra and even horses.
Another interesting tree is the Quiver tree (Aloe dichotoma), a tree aloe found in Southern Namibia. Being a succulent it can store water in its stems and leaves. It has a thick and peculiar trunk with a crown of branches topped with large rosettes of fleshy, green leaves. Bright, yellow flowers appear in winter which is a favourite feeding ground for a variety of birds. A special sight is the Quiver Tree Forest, near the town of Keetmanshoop. Throughout its range this species is in decline. It is very rare and has a very slow growth rate.
Although Namibia is a relatively small country with a low population density it has an incredibly diverse culture. There are 12 different major ethnic groups with a large range of tribes among them, and about 30 unique languages are spoken throughout the country.
One of the most unique tribes that you may encounter while on safari in Namibia is the Himba. The Himba live in the remote Kunene region of Namibia and many still live a traditional, semi-nomadic lifestyle, raising sheep, goats, and cattle in relative isolation. Himba women especially, as well as Himba men, are remarkably famous for covering themselves with otjize paste, a cosmetic mixture of butterfat and ochre pigment, to cleanse the skin over long periods due to water scarcity and protect themselves from the extremely hot and dry climate as well as against mosquito bites. The cosmetic mixture, often perfumed with the aromatic resin of the omuzumba shrub, gives their skin and hair a distinctive orange or red tinge, as well as texture and style.
During your stay at Serra Cafema Camp, be sure to make time to meet the local Himba people and learn more about their lifestyle and traditions.