Namibia is located in southwestern Africa. Its western border runs along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Neighbor countries are Angola, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The nature of Namibia is unique. These places attract tourists who love outdoor activities and exciting adventures.
If you seek solitude - Namibia will exceed all expectations. It is considered the second least densely populated country in the world! However, there are some very amazing places and attractions in Namibia. They are different from all those where you have ever been. Below is information on what to see in Namibia. Attractions with descriptions will help you get to know this African country better.
Kolmanskop is a ghost town
The city is located in the Namib desert. Ten kilometers separate it from Lüderitz and from the Atlantic Ocean.
In 1908, Zakaris Leval, a railroad worker, found small diamonds in the sand. This news spread very quickly around the area and one of the local residents, August Stauch, urgently purchased land in whichtheoretically there could be deposits of these crystals. The clever Stauch's guess was correct, diamonds accumulated on his plots, delivered by winds from the hot Namib deserts and the ocean. At a very rapid pace, Stauch amassed a multi-million dollar fortune. Everyone who wanted to get rich began to come to this area. They were mostly African poor. The population grew rapidly, the city grew rich at a rapid pace. After some time, the desert was built up with houses, schools, hospitals, stadiums, casinos, even its own power plant appeared.
This success did not go unnoticed, Namibia was captured by the Union of South Africa. The new company De Beers began to engage in monopoly mining of crystals. However, the diamonds ran out very quickly.
There were other negative factors that the Namibians faced: lack of water, sandstorms, strong winds. A few years later, the city was completely empty. Until now, Kolmanskop is an abandoned city. Some of the buildings are almost completely covered with sand. But, in recent decades, residents of nearby villages have been restoring buildings, maintaining the city-museum in good condition and conducting tours for tourists.
Swakopmund
Swakopmund is the fourth largest city in Namibia. The attraction is a beach resort located in the oldest desert in the world! Its sand and the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean serve as a magnet that attracts tourists from different countries. This is one of the few places in Namibia where you canfind cute and cozy cafes for a pleasant pastime.
The city was designed by German architects. Here you can try to surf not only on the waves of the ocean. Boarding or skiing down the sand dunes is very popular with extreme sports enthusiasts, but beware, sand can be your breakfast. You can also fly on a hang glider, ride horses or quad bikes. For active travelers or lovers to take a good photo of the sights of Namibia, this is the place.
Sossusflay
Sossusvlei is a large clay plateau in the desert. When the wet period (February) comes, the plateau is filled with water from the Tsohab River. The spectacle is truly mesmerizing. Also here is the "Dead Valley", in which you can see dried trees, about 600-700 years old. They do not decay, as the climate is very arid. The rest of the vegetation is camel acacia. It grows everywhere.
Sossusvlei is famous for its very high sand dunes. The largest is called "Big Daddy", it is about 380 meters high. It is hard to imagine a more spectacular sunrise than the one that occurs in Sossusvlei. The formation of sand dunes is a whole continuous process. Their shapes are constantly changing under the influence of the wind. Hiking in the sand dunes is like walking through a snowy field without snowshoes. Of course, this is exciting, but be prepared for the fact that your muscles will remind you of yourself the next day.pain.
Twifelfontein (Damaraland)
This northwestern region of Namibia is far from the ocean, so fewer tourists come here than in Etosha National Park. But if you come to this African country, do not miss the opportunity to visit the Twyfelfontein Valley. Here you will find one of the largest petroglyphs in all of Africa! The drawing is made with red ocher. It is at least 6,000 years old and illustrates the hunter-gatherer lifestyle. This is a great place for lovers of archeology and ancient artifacts.
Damaraland also offers one of the most unusual things you'll ever do in your life - tracking the dangerous black rhino on foot! You start the trip in a 4x4 jeep as the guide will be looking for telltale signs of the rhinoceros. Then you go out and silently, moving extremely carefully, follow him. Be sure to make sure you are not in the wind. Although all rhinos are herbivores and have poor eyesight, they have an excellent sense of smell. They will sniff anything and may perceive your scent as a potential threat.
You can also visit Himba people. They are a semi-nomadic tribe living in the northwestern region of Kunen, also called Kaokoland in Namibia. This region has a low population density - one person for every 2 square kilometers. As a result of isolation, and a solitary lifestyle, the tribe still adheres to their culture and traditional way of life. Himba women have very amazing andincredible hair.
Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari Desert is a bit misleading. Although this place is quite arid, but there are highly localized environments of flora and fauna. One of the best examples is Succulentlent Karoo. Here you can see over 5,000 different plant species, half of which are endemic to Namibia!
Fish Canyon
The Fish River Canyon in Namibia is the largest in Africa and the second largest in the world. It reaches 160 km in length, 27 km in width and up to 550 m in depth. No wonder this place is the second most popular attraction in Namibia. You can spend the whole day walking along the edge or go inside the canyon for a real adventure.
Tourists who want to pass the exciting challenge go hiking along the Fish River Canyon hiking trail. This is one of the most popular routes throughout southern Africa. The trail is about 90 km long, so the hike will take approximately 5 days.
There are no amenities along the way, there is no cell service in the canyon, so you will be completely cut off from civilization. There are only 2 emergency stations along the way. In other words, this is a real test of strength.
Be prepared for long car rides. Namibia is a huge country, so you have to travel long distances. If you are traveling by car, you should also know how to change a tire if necessary, as help is nowhere to be found and you will have torely only on your own strength.
Reviews about Namibia, the sights of this country are quite diverse. It should be noted right away that the rest here does not meet the standards to which we are accustomed. Namibia is a country for those who prefer active tourism rather than luxury hotels.
