Namibia is located in southwest Africa, bordering Angola , Botswana and South Africa . Characterized by the Namib desert along the Atlantic coast and a diverse range of wildlife, the country is an attractive travel destination for Africa fans. Numerous national parks and exciting landscapes quickly captivate visitors. See andyeducation for education in Namibia.
| Capital City | windhoek |
| Size | 824,116 km² |
| Resident | 2,324,388 |
| Official Language | English etc |
| Currency | Namibia Dollar |
| Time Zone | UTC+2 |
| Telephone Area Code | +264 |
Fast facts to know
- Namibia is one of the most beautiful and pleasant travel destinations in Africa.
- The country is strongly influenced by the German colonial rule.
- In Namibia there are breathtaking, wide landscapes.
- 80% of Namibia’s area is desert.
- At 43 million years old, the Namib Desert is the oldest desert in the world.
- Namibia is also often referred to as the rainbow state due to its many ethnic groups.
- The mix of African culture and European influences is unique in the world.
- Weather and landscape are strongly influenced by the low amounts of precipitation.
- Namibia is home to the largest cheetah population in the world.
- 80% of the inhabitants are Christians.
- A passport valid for at least 6 months is required for entry.
- Less than 2 million people live on the huge area of over 800,000 km².
- The careful treatment of nature and the preservation of wildlife are anchored in the constitution.
- Great value is placed on “gentle” tourism.
- Traffic drives on the left in Namibia.
- Many shops close between 1pm and 2pm and are only open until 5pm.
- With 1.5 million members, the Ovambo are the largest tribe in Namibia.
Exciting cities in Namibia
- windhoek
- Swakopmund
- Luderitz
- Walvis Bay
- Keetmanshoop
- round
- Opuwo
History of Namibia
- Settled probably 2000 to 2500 years ago by the immigrated San.
- Discovered by the Portuguese for Europe in the 15th century.
- In the 19th century, European settlers began to immigrate – mainly from Portugal, England and the German-speaking area.
- In 1884/85 almost the entire country came under the rule of the German Reich and became the colony of German South West Africa.
- Conflicts follow between the representatives of German colonial rule and the Herero.
- 1904 and 1908 Herero and Nama uprisings lead to the annihilation of tens of thousands of Herero and Nama.
- Taken by British troops from South Africa during World War I.
- Subsequently handed over to the administration of the South African Union as a mandate area and occupied by them until 1990.
- Decades of asymmetric war against domestic and foreign opponents of apartheid and liberation movements in Namibia and Angola.
- Independent, democratic state since 1990 after more than 100 years of foreign rule.
Climate & travel weather in Namibia
- High, daily and seasonally fluctuating temperatures.
- Hardly any precipitation in the west.
- Namib desert: very warm all year round.
- Inland highlands: generally wetter, hot summers, mild winters.
- Caprivi Strip: Periodically humid tropics, hot, humid climate.
- Main rainy season: December and March.
- Recommended travel time:
- April, May and August to October.
- Wildlife Viewing: June to October.
- Whale sightings: July and November.
Ideas for trips in Namibia
- Kolmanskop ghost town.
- Visit Living Museum.
- take a boat tour.
- Go on Big Five Safari.
- enjoy the starry sky.
- Find centuries-old desert plant Welwitschia Mirabilis.
- Vingerklip.
- Spitzkoppe.
- go on a desert tour.
- Duwisib Castle.
- Sandwich Harbour.
- Marvel at the Hoba meteorite.
- Find Bogenfels.
- Skeleton Coast National Park.
Eating & drinking in Namibia
- Based on influences from different ethnic groups in the country, South African and German cuisine.
- Staple cornmeal in the form of pap (“polenta”).
- Most dishes are based on meat.
- Popular types of meat: beef, lamb, antelope, zebra, ostrich, crocodile.
- Liked to eat: biltong (dried meat), droewors (dried sausage), boerewors (farmer’s sausage) and smoked meat (smoked game meat).
- Vegetarian dishes are not widespread.
- Fruit and vegetables play no role in large parts of the country.
- Herbs and spices used liberally.
- Liked to drink: Rooibos tea.
- In coastal regions there are many fish restaurants.
- Water is often contaminated, it is better to only drink it from filled bottles.
- Good beers due to the German Purity Law.
- First class South African red and white wines.
- Typical dishes:
- Omagungu (fried mopane caterpillars).
- Oshiwambo chicken.
- Bobotjie (stew with lots of meat, millet, potatoes, root vegetables).
- Omajova (mushrooms that grow on termite mounds during the rainy season).
Particularly scenic
- Etosha National Park
- Namib-Naukluft National Park
- Mudumu National Park
- Khaudum National Park
- Twyfelfontein Valley
- Sossusvlei and Deadvlei dune landscape
- Camel thorn trees in Deadvlei
- Fish River Canyon (second largest canyon in the world)
- Ruacana and Epupa Falls
- Kalahari desert
