Geography
Part of the allure of Namibia is that it's four countries in one.
Four different landscapes, each with its own characteristics and attractions. The most definitive is the Namib, a long coastal desert that runs the length of the country and is highlighted with migrating dune belts, dry riverbeds and canyons. The central plateau is home the majority of Namibia towns and villages and is divided between rugged mountain ranges and sand-filled valleys.
Next is the vast Kalahari Desert with its ancient red sand and sparse vegetation. Finally, Kavango and Caprivi, blessed with generous amounts of rain and typified by tropical forests, perennial rivers and woodland savannahs.
Geography
Part of the allure of Namibia is that it's four countries in one.
Four different landscapes, each with its own characteristics and attractions. The most definitive is the Namib, a long coastal desert that runs the length of the country and is highlighted with migrating dune belts, dry riverbeds and canyons. The central plateau is home the majority of Namibia towns and villages and is divided between rugged mountain ranges and sand-filled valleys.
Next is the vast Kalahari Desert with its ancient red sand and sparse vegetation. Finally, Kavango and Caprivi, blessed with generous amounts of rain and typified by tropical forests, perennial rivers and woodland savannahs.
Central
The Central Region is dominated by Windhoek, Namibia's capital city.
It rests on a gravely inland plateau with dotted areas of acacia and scrub grass surrounded by two desserts, the Namib Desert to the west and the Kalahari to the east. Just outside of the city are many wildlife reserves, perfect for relaxing and viewing game. The Khomas Hochland represents the highest point of the plateau, its peaks no more spectacular than Namibia's fourth highest mountain, the Gamsberg, a table-topped mountain rising some 500 meters above the surrounding landscape. For a change of pace, the Cross Barmen Hot Springs highlight the areas many wellness opportunities, where one can relax in baths of steaming spring water.
South
The south of Namibia is wide-open and arid, but it's this very austerity that makes the region so fascinating. Arguably the country's most spectacular geological phenomenon, the Fish River Canyon cuts an impressive 161 km long gorge into an otherwise flat landscape. From here, attractions are spread across great distances, the reward being the land's peace and quiet. To the north, you'll find the Kokerboom Forest with its quiver trees.
To the south, the hot springs of !Ai-!Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, and to the west, the Sperrgebiet, an immense restricted access area rich in gem quality diamonds. Luderitz, the area's biggest town, is situated on a forbidding and varied stretch of coast and is famous for fresh crayfish and oysters depending on the season.
Namib Coastal
Red dunes, vast plains and rugged mountains make up the serene landscape between the inhospitable Namib Desert and the escarpment of the interior plateau. The majority of this region is occupied by the Namib-Naukluft Park, totaling 50,000 square km and home to both Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. With warm tints of apricot, orange, red and maroon, these dunes offer abstract beauty unseen anywhere else in the world.
Further north, Swakopmund & Walvis Bay both possess a resort town atmosphere attracting both tourists and locals, offering plenty of opportunities to play in the surrounding dunes and ocean.
East
Travel east from Etosha or Windhoek, some four hours by car, and you'll find Bushmanland to the North and the Kalahari to the south. This is remote country, even by Namibian standards. Here within scattered small villages live the San Bushmen, famous for their survival skills.
Visit Khaudum National Park with its amazing herds of game, and the beginnings of the Kalahari Dessert, which stretches across eight different countries rewarding visitors with its silence and solitude.
Central North
The central north region of Namibia is a mix of flat gravel plains and grasslands, rolling wooded hills and rugged mountains. Here you'll find Etosha National Park, one of Africa's premier wildlife sanctuaries and home to dazzling display of wildlife including the endangered cheetah and black rhino. In contrasting form, Waterberg Plateau Park to the southeast owns a slightly higher geography and therefore more rain and vegetation. The resulting attractions include Lake Otjikoto, once considered bottomless until forays into its depths revealed armaments discarded by retreating German forces, and the famous Hoba Meteorite, the largest known meteorite in the world.
North West
Namibia's northwestern region extends from the Kunene River on the Angola border down to the Ugab River, the southern border of the Skeleton Coast Park. The park is a massive wilderness reserve known for its untouched and diverse landscape, much of which is inaccessible, saved for fly-in safaris. Other attractions in this region include the desert-adapted elephants of Kaokoland, quaint Himba settlements, Epupa Falls, the rock engravings of Twyfelfontein, the Petrified Forest and much more. The entire region is vastly scenic, a huge, untamed, ruggedly beautiful country that offers a more adventurous challenge.
Caprivi
"Share My Caprivi"
Bordering Angola, Botswana and Zambia, the Caprivi region is a mosaic of woodlands, rivertine forests, swamps and rivers and home to an abundance of game and birds. Ruben Mafati, a wildlife conservationist, shares his Caprivi...
“Namibia is known for its desert, but the Caprivi sends a different message. The Caprivi is unique. It is wet, green and alive. We have important water resources and rivers to explore. The Kavango, Chobe, Kwando and Zambezi rivers are home to large herds of wildlife, hundreds of bird species and fishing, especially tiger fishing, all strong draws for tourists.
We are very, very excited to be at the heart of KAZA, our voices are represented and we are a part of one of the most exciting conservation and tourist endeavors in the world!
We also have three special national parks, Bwabwata, Mahango and Nkasa Lupala in the Caprivi that are part of KAZA. These parks share international borders, waterways and borders with local communities. Communities support tourism and share in the benefits. This mutual benefit is new – only in the last 20 years with the establishment of conservancies and it has made a huge difference to the land and the people in my region.
Community campsites and joint venture lodges are set in amazing places. So not only do tourists get to visit spectacular places, but also they know that their visit to these places benefits local people. One special community campsite is Nambwa. It’s located near the well-known Horseshoe bend in the river in the Bwabwata National Park. Nkasa Lupala and Suswe Island Lodge are very nice joint venture lodges that are also in national parks.
Victoria Falls isn’t the only falls in the area. Namibia’s has Popa Falls in western Caprivi and N//goabaca is a lovely community campsite there.
Visitors to the Caprivi remark that it feels like real Africa, and this is true because of the cultural elements of tourism here. Trips to traditional villages where guests can experience the authentic lifestyle of the Caprivi people are organized through joint venture lodges. This is part of the attraction of joint venture partnerships – guests experience village life and those people living in the villages benefit financially form these visits. There is also the Living Museum of the Mafwe, which is a very real representation of our people. In many places, tourists can buy arts and crafts that are produced by local people using traditional methods and materials. There is an arts hub at Kongola and a new art center is planned for Bwabwata National Park."
Kavango
This large nation of riverine people has often been described as one of the friendliest in Africa. The Kavango people comprise five distinct tribal groups, of whom nearly all live along the Kavango River from Katwitwe in the west to Bagani in the east.
The Kavango people practice agriculture on the narrow strip of fertile soil along the Kavango River, from which they harvest large numbers of fish. The men do the hard work of clearing and preparing the lands each year. The women do the planting and weeding and the men take over again to harvest and do the threshing. The Kavango men are also eager wood carvers and their works are sold all over Namibia. They carve dolfwood, which grows in the Kalahari sandveld and produce a variety of ceremonial drums, musical instruments and household items. Ornaments, pot-plant stands, wall decorations, masks, kitchen utensils, tables and chairs and dugout canoes are standard items. The women weave baskets and make clay pots and ornaments, which they eagerly sell to visitors.
A number of new agricultural projects are being undertaken in the region, with a view to increase employment opportunities. These include the growing of sugar cane, man-made forests and grapes.
Part of the allure of Namibia is that it's four countries in one.
Four different landscapes, each with its own characteristics and attractions. The most definitive is the Namib, a long coastal desert that runs the length of the country and is highlighted with migrating dune belts, dry riverbeds and canyons. The central plateau is home the majority of Namibia towns and villages and is divided between rugged mountain ranges and sand-filled valleys.
Next is the vast Kalahari Desert with its ancient red sand and sparse vegetation. Finally, Kavango and Caprivi, blessed with generous amounts of rain and typified by tropical forests, perennial rivers and woodland savannahs.
Geography
Part of the allure of Namibia is that it's four countries in one.
Four different landscapes, each with its own characteristics and attractions. The most definitive is the Namib, a long coastal desert that runs the length of the country and is highlighted with migrating dune belts, dry riverbeds and canyons. The central plateau is home the majority of Namibia towns and villages and is divided between rugged mountain ranges and sand-filled valleys.
Next is the vast Kalahari Desert with its ancient red sand and sparse vegetation. Finally, Kavango and Caprivi, blessed with generous amounts of rain and typified by tropical forests, perennial rivers and woodland savannahs.
Central
The Central Region is dominated by Windhoek, Namibia's capital city.
It rests on a gravely inland plateau with dotted areas of acacia and scrub grass surrounded by two desserts, the Namib Desert to the west and the Kalahari to the east. Just outside of the city are many wildlife reserves, perfect for relaxing and viewing game. The Khomas Hochland represents the highest point of the plateau, its peaks no more spectacular than Namibia's fourth highest mountain, the Gamsberg, a table-topped mountain rising some 500 meters above the surrounding landscape. For a change of pace, the Cross Barmen Hot Springs highlight the areas many wellness opportunities, where one can relax in baths of steaming spring water.
South
The south of Namibia is wide-open and arid, but it's this very austerity that makes the region so fascinating. Arguably the country's most spectacular geological phenomenon, the Fish River Canyon cuts an impressive 161 km long gorge into an otherwise flat landscape. From here, attractions are spread across great distances, the reward being the land's peace and quiet. To the north, you'll find the Kokerboom Forest with its quiver trees.
To the south, the hot springs of !Ai-!Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, and to the west, the Sperrgebiet, an immense restricted access area rich in gem quality diamonds. Luderitz, the area's biggest town, is situated on a forbidding and varied stretch of coast and is famous for fresh crayfish and oysters depending on the season.
Namib Coastal
Red dunes, vast plains and rugged mountains make up the serene landscape between the inhospitable Namib Desert and the escarpment of the interior plateau. The majority of this region is occupied by the Namib-Naukluft Park, totaling 50,000 square km and home to both Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. With warm tints of apricot, orange, red and maroon, these dunes offer abstract beauty unseen anywhere else in the world.
Further north, Swakopmund & Walvis Bay both possess a resort town atmosphere attracting both tourists and locals, offering plenty of opportunities to play in the surrounding dunes and ocean.
East
Travel east from Etosha or Windhoek, some four hours by car, and you'll find Bushmanland to the North and the Kalahari to the south. This is remote country, even by Namibian standards. Here within scattered small villages live the San Bushmen, famous for their survival skills.
Visit Khaudum National Park with its amazing herds of game, and the beginnings of the Kalahari Dessert, which stretches across eight different countries rewarding visitors with its silence and solitude.
Central North
The central north region of Namibia is a mix of flat gravel plains and grasslands, rolling wooded hills and rugged mountains. Here you'll find Etosha National Park, one of Africa's premier wildlife sanctuaries and home to dazzling display of wildlife including the endangered cheetah and black rhino. In contrasting form, Waterberg Plateau Park to the southeast owns a slightly higher geography and therefore more rain and vegetation. The resulting attractions include Lake Otjikoto, once considered bottomless until forays into its depths revealed armaments discarded by retreating German forces, and the famous Hoba Meteorite, the largest known meteorite in the world.
North West
Namibia's northwestern region extends from the Kunene River on the Angola border down to the Ugab River, the southern border of the Skeleton Coast Park. The park is a massive wilderness reserve known for its untouched and diverse landscape, much of which is inaccessible, saved for fly-in safaris. Other attractions in this region include the desert-adapted elephants of Kaokoland, quaint Himba settlements, Epupa Falls, the rock engravings of Twyfelfontein, the Petrified Forest and much more. The entire region is vastly scenic, a huge, untamed, ruggedly beautiful country that offers a more adventurous challenge.
Caprivi
"Share My Caprivi"
Bordering Angola, Botswana and Zambia, the Caprivi region is a mosaic of woodlands, rivertine forests, swamps and rivers and home to an abundance of game and birds. Ruben Mafati, a wildlife conservationist, shares his Caprivi...
“Namibia is known for its desert, but the Caprivi sends a different message. The Caprivi is unique. It is wet, green and alive. We have important water resources and rivers to explore. The Kavango, Chobe, Kwando and Zambezi rivers are home to large herds of wildlife, hundreds of bird species and fishing, especially tiger fishing, all strong draws for tourists.
We are very, very excited to be at the heart of KAZA, our voices are represented and we are a part of one of the most exciting conservation and tourist endeavors in the world!
We also have three special national parks, Bwabwata, Mahango and Nkasa Lupala in the Caprivi that are part of KAZA. These parks share international borders, waterways and borders with local communities. Communities support tourism and share in the benefits. This mutual benefit is new – only in the last 20 years with the establishment of conservancies and it has made a huge difference to the land and the people in my region.
Community campsites and joint venture lodges are set in amazing places. So not only do tourists get to visit spectacular places, but also they know that their visit to these places benefits local people. One special community campsite is Nambwa. It’s located near the well-known Horseshoe bend in the river in the Bwabwata National Park. Nkasa Lupala and Suswe Island Lodge are very nice joint venture lodges that are also in national parks.
Victoria Falls isn’t the only falls in the area. Namibia’s has Popa Falls in western Caprivi and N//goabaca is a lovely community campsite there.
Visitors to the Caprivi remark that it feels like real Africa, and this is true because of the cultural elements of tourism here. Trips to traditional villages where guests can experience the authentic lifestyle of the Caprivi people are organized through joint venture lodges. This is part of the attraction of joint venture partnerships – guests experience village life and those people living in the villages benefit financially form these visits. There is also the Living Museum of the Mafwe, which is a very real representation of our people. In many places, tourists can buy arts and crafts that are produced by local people using traditional methods and materials. There is an arts hub at Kongola and a new art center is planned for Bwabwata National Park."
Kavango
This large nation of riverine people has often been described as one of the friendliest in Africa. The Kavango people comprise five distinct tribal groups, of whom nearly all live along the Kavango River from Katwitwe in the west to Bagani in the east.
The Kavango people practice agriculture on the narrow strip of fertile soil along the Kavango River, from which they harvest large numbers of fish. The men do the hard work of clearing and preparing the lands each year. The women do the planting and weeding and the men take over again to harvest and do the threshing. The Kavango men are also eager wood carvers and their works are sold all over Namibia. They carve dolfwood, which grows in the Kalahari sandveld and produce a variety of ceremonial drums, musical instruments and household items. Ornaments, pot-plant stands, wall decorations, masks, kitchen utensils, tables and chairs and dugout canoes are standard items. The women weave baskets and make clay pots and ornaments, which they eagerly sell to visitors.
A number of new agricultural projects are being undertaken in the region, with a view to increase employment opportunities. These include the growing of sugar cane, man-made forests and grapes.
