Its German heritage is a fact that distinguishes Namibia amongst it’s neighbors. Rich mineral wealth, low population density and a powerful tourism sector is propelling Namibia to the top in Africa. Accessible and
popular attractions are ensuring Namibia’s growth.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Area: 824,290sq km (15th in Africa)
Capital: Windhoek
Largest towns: Windhoek, Keetmanshoop, Tsumeb, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay
Population: 2.1 million
Official language: English
Other languages: German, Afrikaans, Ovambo, Herero, Nama
Currency: Namibian Dollar
Head of state: President Hifikepunye Pohamba
Life expectancy: 44 years
Literacy: 84%

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Namib Desert, Fish River Canyon, Epupa Falls, Caprivi, Etosha, Skeleton Coast, Spitzkoppe, Waterberg, Moon Landscapes, Sossusvlei, Himba

NATURAL RESOURCES

Diamonds, Precious Stones, Metals and Minerals, Uranium, Salt

MAIN CULTURES

European (English, Afrikaans, German), Herero, Himba, Kavango, Ovambo, Nama and Damara

RELIGIONS

Christian and ZCC

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

Namib Desert – follows the 1600km Atlantic coastal belt – one of the driest places on earth- hyper-arid desert. Inland – a deeply incised escarpment rises to an altitude of 2000m before giving way to the mid-altitude plateau that merges with the Kalahari Desert in Botswana.

Highest mountain in Namibia – Brandberg (2573m) in the northwest. Large rivers – Fish River, Orange River, Cunene, Kavango, Linyati and Zambezi. No substantial lakes. Biggest body of water – Hardap dam near
Mariental. Climate hot and dry with much colder night temperatures.
Summer from December to March- most rainfall, average below 250mm. Frequent overnight mist along the coast until morning.
Namibia is bordered by Angola, Botswana, South Africa and Zambia. Natural hazard is drought. They have limited fresh water supplies

HISTORY

Thinly populated because of inhospitable climate. Still inhabited by Khoi-san -10% of population.
First European – Diogo Cao (Portuguese) – landed in 1496 – erected cross at Cape Cross.
German South West Africa borders declared in 1890’s.
SA captured German South West Africa during WW1 and took over its governance in 1921 as mandate.
1990 Gained independence – Sam Nujoma President until 1994

CRIME AND SAFETY

Pretty safe throughout the country – Windhoek is dangerous if not careful.

MONEY

One to one with the Rand (it is possible to change N$ to Rand almost anywhere)
Banking hours are 08:00 – 13:00 Monday to Saturday and 14:30 – 17:00 Monday to Friday.

POST AND TELEPHONE

Good postal system from WDK. Good phone system.

ECONOMY

G.D.P. Composition: Agriculture 12%, Industry 25%, Services 63%
Exports partners are UK, South Africa, Spain, France, Japan. Inflation is 9.1%
Mining accounts for 20% of Gross National Product.
Half the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood.

INTERESTING FACTS

Namibia was the first country in the world to incorporate protection of the environment into its constitution. In 1890 the Caprivi Strip was given to the German Colonial Government by Great Britain in exchange for the island of Zanzibar. This casual swapping of land was designed to allow Germany to link up it’s territories in Southern Africa, this never happened but it did bring Namibia into physical contact with the Zambezi river.
The strip is named after Chancellor Leo Von Caprivi, who negotiated the Zanzibar treaty with Great Britain.

Explore Namibia – Where Wild Things Stars
Ambitious conservation efforts have put Namibia at the head of the safari class. Stephanie Pearson explores the country’s latest projects.

Agoraphobics don’t do well in Namibia. Almost twice the size of California, with a seemingly endless horizon, its territory is taking the lead on conservation thanks to the work of groups like the World Wildlife Fund and 76 locally managed communal conservancies that put an astonishing 42 percent of the country under protection management. Small wonder that Namibia has the most cheetahs in the world and growing populations of elephants, lions, giraffes, and rhinos. Plus, the water’s clean, the roads are easy to navigate, and in the dry months of August through November, you’re sure to spot the Big Five. Here’s how to plan your next safari.

ARRIVE: Fly to the capital of Windhoek via Johannesburg (from $1,500 round-trip from New York City), then crash in a plunge-pool-equipped suite at the new Olive Exclusive hotel (from $393 per night). Before leaving town, visit Na’an Ku Se, a non-profit wildlife sanctuary 30 miles east of Windhoek, where rescued lions, cheetahs, and wild dogs are rehabilitated.

GO WILD: Last year, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe signed off on a 170,000-square-mile preserve called the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, which snakes through all five countries. You can enjoy Namibia’s section, the Caprivi Strip, now without crowds of tourists: I saw a herd of more than 30 elephants in Mamili National Park and a 20-foot crocodile lazing along the Chobe River. Many lodges are joint ventures with conservancies, so locals get a cut of the profits. For game drives that yield lions, leopards, and elephants, book with Nkasa Lupala ($180 per person per night), a beautiful solar-tented camp built partially from recycled oil barrels. Fly-fishermen who want easy access to tiger fish on the Zambezi, head to the four-villa N’twala Island Lodge (from $450 per person per night).

RECHARGE: Northwestern Namibia’s Damaraland is like a desert Galápagos. This vast shale-and-basalt landscape is so massive that, at first glance, it looks empty. Hold up a pair of binoculars, however, and you’ll see plains teeming with hartebeests, secretary birds, ostriches, kudus, and zebras. The way to see them: from Wilderness Safaris’ Damara-land Camp, with 10 luxury tented suites (from $683 per person). The camp sits on a mountainside with 180-degree views of the Huab River Valley and the Brandberg Mountains. Time it right and watch the full moon rise in the east while the sun sets in the west.