Wildlife and walking are two great reasons to visit Namibia. The country, on the west coast of Africa, boasts plateaux, mountains and national parks that are richly populated with animals and birds.
The country has excellent natural resources - including the largest tin reserve in the world. In 1884 it was proclaimed a German colony and remained so for 30 years. It then came under South African administration until Dr Sam Nujoma became president of an independent Namibia in 1989.
Namibia has an ethnically diverse population that includes the Bantu-speaking Ovambo, Kavango and Herero; various Nama groups; the Damara; San (Bushmen); and whites of South African, German, and British descent. The capital, Windhoek, retains a German air - with red-roofed colonial buildings nestled against more modern offices.
Along the Atlantic coast runs the Namib Desert and to the north is a large salt marsh, known as Etosha Pan. Etosha National Park is home to the endangered black rhino, and attracts flamingos, elephants, giraffes, lions and zebras, which can best be seen in May or September. Walking and riding tours of the game reserves are popular.
Best sites
Namibia Tourism. Official tourist board site with information about the people, politics, climate and essential travel information.
Namib Web. General information about the country.
Lonely Planet. The guidebook's verdict.
The Namibian. English-language online newspaper.
If you only do three things ...
Wander the Bavarian streets of the time-warp town of Lüderitz, set off on one of the last real wilderness treks through the Fish River Canyon, and watch a Noah’s Ark of game at the Etosha Pan wildlife reserve.
News and current affairs
Namibia's online publications from the world news guide.
Language
Although English is the official language, only 7% of the population speak it. Afrikaans, spoken by 60% of the white population, is the common language. 32% speak German, and indigenous languages are Oshivambo, Herero and Nama.
Climate
The climate varies from arid and semi-arid to subtropical with the generally temperate desert coast offering foggy days with temperatures of 5-20C. The central, southern and coastal areas constitute some of the most arid landscapes south of the Sahara. The hottest months are January and February.
Health
Beware malaria between November and June in northern areas Omaheke and Otjozondjupa; and year-round at the Kavango and Kunene rivers. Take chloroquine and proguanil. A typhoid vaccination is vital and you should also get vacccinated against hepatitis A, B and diphtheria. Bilharzia can be a problem in the east. Remember over 25 million people are infected by HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.
Food
The German influence is felt on the national cuisine - particularly in Windhoek where you'll find great pastries, good beer and excellent German restaurants. On game reserves and in the desert the local food consists of meat, vegetables and fruit - unsophisticated but tasty.
Currency
£1 buys approximately 14 Namibian dollars.
Events
Independence Day: March 21. Feasts and festivities all over Namibia.
Windhoek Karnival: Late April/early May. Big event in the capital.
Küste Karnival: Late August. Held at the touristy Swakopmund.
Maherero Day: Weekend nearest August 26. Herero commemoration of those killed in the Khoi-Khoi and German wars. Held at Okahandja, north of Windhoek.
Oktoberfest: Late October. Celebrated throughout the country with beer and sausages on the sand.
What to buy
Local Namibian woodcarvings, semiprecious gems and Herero dolls.
Embassies and visas
UK: High Commission of The Republic of Namibia, 6 Chandos St, London, W1G 9DG (020 7636 6244)
Namibia: British Embassy, PO Box 22202, 116 Robert Mugabe Avenue, Windhoek (+264 61 274 800)
Visas: No visas are required for British passport holders for a stay not exceeding three months. All visitors must be in possession of both a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond intended departure date from Namibia and a valid return ticket. Extension of the three months is possible on application to immigration authorities during your stay in Namibia.
Time zone
GMT +1.
Getting there
Air Namibia and several international carriers fly direct to Windhoek from Europe. South African Airways operates daily flights between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Windhoek. Air Namibia flies twice-weekly between Windhoek and Harare (Zimbabwe), Lusaka (Zambia) and Gaborone (Botswana).
Namibia's borders with Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa are generally hassle-free and are serviced by several bus companies.
Related literature
Born of the Sun, Joseph Diescho. This partly autobiographical novel is set in the early 1960s and traces the growth of political consciousness in Muronga.
Aquifers and Dust, Dorian Haarhoff. Collection of poems.
Birds of Namibia, I Sinclair. Guide with full-colour photographs and authoritative text describing key identification features.
