Namibia

Contents

1
2 General Information
3 Culture
4 Nature
5 Trip Logs
6 Travel Advisories and Visa Information

Namibia is a desert country that is made vibrant by its unique cultures and ecosystems. The country’s fauna and flora, many of which are found no where else in the world, are some of the best desert survivalists on Earth. It’s seaside desert, with its towering sand dunes, and colonies of adaptable sea lions, is an expression of life and geology that can be found no where else. Namibia also has one of the lowest population densities in Africa, but despite this, it is home to many different peoples with unique art forms, beliefs, and life ways.

General Information

Type: Sovereign Nation (1990)
Region: Africa
Official Language: English
Recognized Languages: Afrikaans, German, Otjiherero, Khoekhoe, Oshiwambo, Kwangali, Setswana, Silozi
Population: 2.6 million (2017)
Capital: Windhoek
Currency: Namibian dollar
Outlets: Type D and M
Side of the Road: Left

Culture

Namibia is mostly known for its wildlife and dramatic ghost towns, but the cultural landscape of this south African country is intricate and unique. San people made their homes on this land for a long time, before people of different Bantu cultures moved south and settled in different parts of the country. Among the sweeping places that people now travel so far to see, new traditions arose and way-0f-life came to be that are found no where else in the world. Eventually, Europeans arrived as well, and the Namibia that we know now began to be shaped by the conflict and mixing peoples and customs.

Cultures: Ovambo, Kavango, Herero, Damara, European Namibians, Nama, Lozi, San, Tswana (Learn about Seven Namibian Cultures)
Food: Food in Namibia by Know Namibia

Nature

Before I traveled to Namibia in 2009, my professor told everyone that we would feel like we were right back in Arizona when we got off of the plane. I couldn’t imagine how that would be possible. It was more than a 20 hour flight, for one thing, but how could a country a world away feel like home? He was right, of course. When I first arrived, I was blown away by how familiar the desert was, and I was soon to learn that these two distant places have exchanged a variety of species due to how similar their climate is (like my favorite, peachfaced lovebirds). Much like Arizona, while the desert dominates much of Namibia, visitors will be swept away by the variety of views and sublime landscapes. The vast open spaces also make it one of the best places to see African wildlife.

Highpoint: Brandberg Mountain by Country Highpoints
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 2 sites
National Parks: 16 National Parks by Namibia: Endless Horizons