| Namibia is a vast country - 825,418 square kilometers | | | | conservation area; it traverses mountainous terrain |
| of scenic, varied landscapes rendered in high-contrast | | | | and the plateau of the Naukluft Mountains. The track |
| color film. It is no wonder that this peaceful nation is | | | | runs for 72km including steep inclines, rugged |
| a favorite among photographers, especially the | | | | descents and squeeze-through mountain passes, |
| Sossusvlei sand dunes or the famed but feared | | | | guaranteed to test the limits your driving skills. The |
| Skeleton Coast in the Namib Desert, the awe-inspiring | | | | Isabis 4x4 trail in a farm in Windhoek has options |
| depths of Fish River Canyon, and the endless plains | | | | ranging from 16km to 40km and you have a choice |
| of the Kaokoveld. Strangely-shaped rock formations, | | | | of two campsites. There are a number of other trails |
| dormant volcanoes and giant dinosaur footprints | | | | to choose from. |
| round out the diversity of this stark, hauntingly | | | | There are many opportunities for angling in the |
| beautiful land. These features provide so much | | | | country. Namibia is probably the best locations in the |
| variety to your sightseeing. For the more artistic eye, | | | | world for shark angling from the shore. This unique |
| the tones, textures and forms of these landscape | | | | sport has become very popular. The copper shark is |
| features have made Namibia a popular destination | | | | the angler's favorite target, and can weigh up to |
| among photographers. | | | | 180kg. There are other species of shark. Animal |
| Nature and Wildlife | | | | lovers need not worry: shark angling is a catch and |
| The 19 state-owned game parks, conservation areas, | | | | release activity. |
| and resorts comprise nearly 15% of Namibia's land | | | | Best Time to Go |
| area. Population sizes in its game parks are smaller | | | | The weather allows you to enjoy Namibia all year |
| than in top wildlife destinations, but the Etosha | | | | round, but depending on what you want to see, |
| National Park is one of Africa's great game parks. In | | | | some months are better than others. August and |
| the arid northwest, you find desert-dwelling elephant, | | | | December are busy tourism months, so ensure that |
| black rhino and giraffe. There is also an amazing | | | | your bookings for car hire and accommodations are |
| variety of small creatures with special adaptations for | | | | done well in advance. Game viewing is best done in |
| survival in the harsh Namib Desert. | | | | the dry winter months May-October. Summers in |
| The northeast is home to woodlands and wetlands | | | | Namibia can get very hot, and hiking should not be |
| that stand in sharp contrast to the western parts. | | | | attempted. The Fish River Canyon trail is closed |
| There are small lakes and flood plains that attract | | | | between September and April. Bird-watching is |
| antelopes of various species, backwaters carpeted | | | | perfect from March onwards, after the rains. |
| with water lilies, and papyrus at the fringes of water | | | | Planning your Trip |
| channels. You find many unique plants. The | | | | The best way to appreciate Namibia is with a car, so |
| well-known welwitschia with its shredded leaves is a | | | | plan to spend some money for car hire. The big |
| fine example of adaptation to life in desert | | | | outlay at the start will be recovered by camping out |
| environments. The bottle tree is evocative of the | | | | in some of its picturesque sites. Do good research |
| rocky outcrops of Kaokoveld, and Namibia is home to | | | | into what you want to do and destinations that most |
| a bewildering diversity of lichens. | | | | appeal to you. Focus on important destinations: there |
| What Else to Do | | | | is so much to see, there is no time to see them all. |
| Namibia's remote regions, especially in the arid | | | | Distances in this vast country are significant. Bring |
| northwest, make it ideal for extreme adventures off | | | | some camping clothes and outfits, otherwise, you |
| the beaten track. The Naukluft 4x4 trail is the first | | | | don't need too much of city clothes. |
| route to be mapped out in a state-owned | | | | |