Travelling to Namibia is a true privilege. Apart from breath-taking landscapes and an abundance of unique wildlife, a holiday in Namibia is a fascinating experience. Here are a few facts about the country that will interest you if you are planning to travel to Namibia.
- The country gets its name from the Namib Desert which is one of the oldest in the world. Scientists say the desert was first formed over a million years ago.
- The infamous Skeleton Coast is named after its fearsome reputation of taking many lives, both humans and animals. Many ships have been wrecked along the coastline, falling foul to blinding fog. The Bushmen referred to the coastline as “the Gates of Hell”. Today it is not nearly as treacherous and is home to a spectacular colony of over 100 000 seals.
- Namibia is the second-least densely populated country in the world. Only Mongolia boasts a smaller population. Although the numbers are small, Namibia is home to 13 different ethnic groups. The most fascinating group of people is the Himba tribe – a group of people that still embrace a nomadic lifestyle and live in relative seclusion.
- Namibia is the first country in the world to introduce environmental protection in its Constitution. Tourism-based initiatives are organised by communities and brings in much-needed tourism in Namibia and revenue.
- Namibia is home to the world’s largest population of free-roaming cheetahs. Thanks to the Cheetah Conservation Fund, these glorious predators are protected and continue to thrive in the wild.
- It’s a spectacular sight and privilege to see the desert elephants on a holiday to Namibia. It is one of only two countries in the world where you’ll see such a magnificent sight. The elephants have adapted to the extreme desert conditions by developing a smaller body mass, longer legs and larger feet.
- Namibia is also home to the world’s largest population of free-roaming black rhinos. Frantically protected by locals, the population has thrived in recent years. This critically-endangered species lives in relative peace in the country and provides tourists to Namibia with unique photo opportunities.
- Sandboarding is a popular activity for tourists visiting Namibia. It’s pretty scary as you can reach a speed of up to 80km/hour. Lying down on the board is the easy option but the adrenalin junkies like to stand up as they fly down the dunes.
- Sossusvlei Sand Dunes is one of the most impressive sights on a holiday to Namibia. The dunes are some of the highest in the world and are constantly moving. It’s a photographer’s paradise and heaven for avid hikers.
- The name Namib is of Nama origin and means “vast place”. The Namib desert stretches for more than 2 000 kilometers along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia and South Africa.
- Annual rainfall ranges from 2mm in the most arid regions to 200mm at the escarpment. This makes the Namib the only true desert in southern Africa. The Namib is also believed to be the oldest desert in the region, having endured arid or semi-arid conditions for approximately 55-80 million years.
- Kolmanskop is a ghost town in the Namib desert in southern Namibia, a few kilometers inland from the port town of Luderitz. It was once a small but very rich mining town but it has long since been abandoned and today it is a popular Namibian tourists destination.
Experience the sights and sounds of Namibia. Lekker Adventures specialises in providing you with the complete travelling experience to Namibia. Click here to find out more about travelling to Namibia with the assistance of Lekker Adventures.