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Namibia Regions and Attractions
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Namibia offers a great variety of landscapes and areas. Wilderness, fascinating animals, waterfalls, famous towns, ocean, sand dunes, rocks, grassland and forests: This country combines it all!
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| The arid Namib Rand Reserve or the Kalahari Savanna change to a long coastline with beautiful beaches or the green and lush area of the Caprivi Strip. Namibia's Rock formations like the Spitzkoppe or Waterberg Plateau, the second largest canyon on the World, the Fish River Canyon or the Etosha National Park are only a few reserves that have to be visited while staying in this beautiful and scenic country.
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The North and North East : Etosha National ParkWildlife which gather around the waterholes in the dry season; the transformation of the salt pan after the rains; incredible landscapes.
Covering more than 22 000 square km, this magnificent Park is quite a wonder, and while it attracts thousands of visitors every year it never feels crowded. It is a major wildlife sanctuary and place of great fascination. The main features are the 30 odd waterholes and springs in the southern area, and the vast salt pan which dazzles the eye with its whiteness both features attract just about every type of animal in Africa.
Animals can number in the thousands, especially the Giraffe, Zebra, Elephant and Springbok. Other animals include Lion, Leopard, Wildebeest and Hyena. The endangered Rhino, Black-Faced Impala (endemic) and Cheetah are all present.
Birdlife is also prolific, with Flamingos and Pelicans especially active after the rains. The towns of Outjo and Tsumeb are closest and offer a variety of accommodation; otherwise there are 4 great camps in the park itself. |
Kaokoveld
Attractions: Ruacana and Epupa Falls on the Kunene River; Marienfluss Valley and Puros; Desert dwelling Elephant on the Hoanib and Hoarosib Rivers.
Kaokoveld has specific boundaries. Namibia and Angola are separated by the Kunene River in the north. In the east it is met by the Owambo people of the Omasuti Region and Etosha National Park. In the west it is the Skeleton Coast Park and in the south it is the seasonal Hoanib River, altogether this area is about the size of Switzerland.
This remote and least accessible area has great natural beauty and is home to the OvaHimba people. Steep mountain ranges and passes, valleys, desert, and seasonal rivers characterise the land.
Regarded as one of the last wild places in Namibia, it is now receiving more and more visitors in search of adventure and seclusion, only self-sufficient 4x4 drivers may enter this area, the wet season should be avoided. In Opuwo wilderness guides and advice can be obtained. The extreme west is really only for the very experienced traveller used to total wilderness journeys.
Damaraland
Attractions: Spitzkoppe and Brandberg Massif; Bushmen rock engravings at Twyfelfontein; weird rock formations called the Organ Pipes, and the ancient Petrified Forest which is millions of years old; Erongo Mountain caves.
This area runs inland along the Skeleton Coast north of Swakopmund and south of Etosha Park. Khorixas is the main town in this area. Wildlife here
have adapted to the intense climate and terrain to survive and include the Black Rhino, Desert Elephant, Lion, Desert dwelling Giraffe, mountain Zebra, Gemsbok, and Springbok. The pre-historic plant called a Welwitschia can also be found here. |
Caprivi Strip
Attractions: Superb wildlife conservation area; Bwabwata National Park (Caprivi Game Park); Popa Falls.
The Caprivi Strip forms a narrow finger along the far north-eastern edge of the country and covers about 450km (280 miles); it borders Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Angola. This area is fed by permanent rivers, the Okavango, Kwando, Chobe, Linyati and Zambezi and receives a high rainfall.
Game animals that can be seen include four of the Big Five and Hyena,
Hippo or antelope species. It is also a tropical wonderland and perfect for
boating, canoeing and kayaking. Katima Mulilo has most amenities including an airport and great art and craft including basketry can be purchased here. .
Bushmanland
Attractions: Nyae Nyae Pans after the rains; huge Baobab trees; taking part in traditional hunting and gathering activities with the Bushmen, Kaudom Game Park.
This area can be roughly divided into east and west from Tsumkwe. The San people live here and still follow their traditional way of life which is hunting and gathering. The Bushmen have an intricate knowledge of nature and the ecology, their incredible understanding of their environment has enabled them to survive in the most remote areas.
They have established 2 conservancies, one of which is the Nyae Nyae in the east from Kaudom Game Park along the border of Botswana and across Tsumkwe. Although, only experienced 4x4 travellers should attempt driving in this region and in Kaudum, the two make a worthwhile combination destination to experience, especially after the rains.
It is possible to take part in the traditional life of Bushman in communities in Omatako and Tsumkwe to see how they hunt and gather food. Permission needs to be gained well in advance from the Namibia Community Based Tourism Association. |
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Page: 2 Central
Windhoek and surroundsAttractions: Windhoek; Daan Viljoen Game Park; Gross Barmen Hot Springs near Okahandja; Arnhem Cave in the south-east; Rehoboth Hot Springs and Oanib Dam in the south.Namibia ...
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Page: 3 The South
Fish River Canyon; Ai-Ais; Keetmanshoop and surroundsAttractions: Fish River Canyon; Ai-Ais Hot Springs and the Richtersveld Transfrontier Park; the Orange River; Keetmanshoop; Quiver Tree Forest; Giants Playground. ...
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