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Africa 09Pg82
22/7/08
18:35
Page 82
Namibia
Namibia's startling scenery and vast landscapes are thanks largely to the two great deserts it straddles. The Namib is the oldest desert in the world and its red sands stretch along Namibia's Atlantic coast, while the vast savannah of the Kalahari stretches eastward and into neighbouring Botswana. Referred to by the ancient San people as the land God made in anger , Namibia's essence lies in its huge deep blue skies and wide-open vistas that melt idly into the far horizon. It's this combined with the rich earthy colours and an intense sense of isolation that make it such a fabulous and spiritual destination to visit. Enjoy one of our touring options, or travel at your leisure on the country's well maintained roads on our fantastic Namibian self-drive.
ANGOLA
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ZAMBIA
Katima Mulilo
Caprivi Strip
Namibia Travel Tips
* Time: GMT + 2 * Flying Time from UK: Approx. 10 hours * Language: English and Afrikaans * Currency: Namibian Dollar (NAD). £1 = 14.00 NAD approx. * Visa Requirements: Not required by British Citizens holding a British or EU passport and travelling on holiday to Namibia. Passports must be valid for 6 months and contain two blank pages. * Tourist Office: Namibian Tourism, Suite 200 Parkway House, Sheen Lane, London, SW14 8LS More useful information can be found on pages 112/3 Damaraland North of Swakopmund lies Damaraland, a vast landscape of gravel plains and rolling mountains now safeguarded by a private reserve drawn up primarily to protect the rare desert elephant and threatened black rhino. In the southern region of this unique environment granite domes rise out of the gravel plains. Many of the caves in this area are adorned by ancient bushman rock art. Etosha Etosha is a fabulous and peaceful game reserve whose central feature is the remnants of a vast and ancient pan that gradually evaporated over millions of years to expose a seemingly endless depression of white clay and mineral salts. The bush surrounding the pan is punctuated with numerous waterholes and most of Africa's big game is found here, often in large numbers. Central Namibia The rolling hills of this region have many interesting and unique rock formations, home to some superb examples of ancient rock art. A visit to the Africat Foundation, a charity set up to study and protect Africa's beautiful big cat species, is a must.
Etosha National Park
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Kaudom National Park
Damaraland Wilderness Reserve Otjiwarongo
Cape Cross Seal Reserve
Southern Namibia Experience the difference of two deserts. The Kalahari's red sands support an abundance of grasses, trees and bushes that have become home to a wide variety of mammals that include the iconic and very entertaining meerkat. This soon transforms into the arid and rocky landscape that is home to the Fish River Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the world. Namib-Naukluft National Park One of the largest conservation areas in Africa the NamibNaukluft National Park is a magical, captivating place. Imposing mountain ranges, ancient canyons, vast gravel plains and of course the famous Sesriem and Sossusvlei
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Swakopmund
Sossusvlei Namib Naukluft Park
Lüderitz
Fish River Canyon
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NAMIBIA
Okahandja Windhoek
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Walvis Bay
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Mariental Keetmanshoop
SOUTH AFRICA
dunes are all waiting to be explored. Special times to witness nature at its best are the mornings and evenings when the beautiful contrasts of the ochre-coloured dunes, yellow grasses and the distant mountains is most evident; these are the enduring and evocative images of Namibia. Swakopmund & Walvis Bay Swakopmund is a quaint seaside town at the southern reaches of the Skeleton Coast. Visit the lagoons of Walvis Bay, which are often wall-to-wall pink with flamingos. Sea kayaking amongst Cape fur seals, sand boarding or spectacular coastal fishing amongst the dunes are some of the many activities that must be experienced.
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